Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are
with
him
Who were the ringleaders and encouragers of this tumult:
have a matter against any man;
any accusation, or charge, any crime to accuse him of, and charge
him with:
the law is open;
or court days are kept; there are certain times fixed for the
hearing and trying of causes, where and when such an affair
should be regularly brought; and not use such disorderly methods,
and throw a city into confusion, and break the peace as these men
had done: the Syriac version renders it, "they are artificers";
that is, Demetrius and the craftsmen with him; they are
tradesmen, and it does not belong to them, nor should they take
upon themselves to judge and determine what is right or wrong:
and there are deputies;
or "proconsuls"; the proconsul and his deputy, to whom such
matters appertain, and who are judges in such cases, and to whom
application should be made, and before whom such cases should be
brought, and heard, and tried: the Syriac version reads in the
singular number, "and there is a proconsul in the city"; a Roman
governor and judge, whose province it is to determine such
matters:
let them implead one another;
let the plaintiff bring his accusation, and charge, and let the
others defend themselves, and let things proceed in a due course
of law, and so issue.