New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
23 And during that time, there was some serious trouble in Ephesus about the Way of Jesus.
23
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
24 A man named Demetrius, who worked with silver, made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. Those who did this work made much money.
24
A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.
25 Demetrius had a meeting with them and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, "Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business.
25
He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.
26 But look at what this man Paul is doing. He has convinced and turned away many people in Ephesus and in almost all of Asia! He says the gods made by human hands are not real.
26
And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.
27 There is a danger that our business will lose its good name, but there is also another danger: People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed, and Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships."
27
There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When the others heard this, they became very angry and shouted, "Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus, is great!"
28
When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29 The whole city became confused. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, who were from Macedonia and were traveling with Paul, and ran to the theater.
29
Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.
30 Paul wanted to go in and talk to the crowd, but the followers did not let him.
30
Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.
31 Also, some leaders of Asia who were friends of Paul sent him a message, begging him not to go into the theater.
31
Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.