23
About that time there occurrednosmalldisturbanceconcerning1the Way.
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For a mannamedDemetrius, a silversmith, who madesilvershrines of Artemis, 2was bringingnolittlebusiness to the craftsmen;
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these he gatheredtogether with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperitydepends* upon thisbusiness.
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"You see and hear that not only in 3Ephesus, but in almostall of 4Asia, thisPaul has persuaded and turnedaway a considerablenumber of people, saying that 5gods made with hands are nogods at all.
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"Not only is there danger that thistrade of oursfall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the greatgoddessArtemis be regarded as worthless and that she whomall of 6Asia and 7the worldworship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."
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When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the 8Ephesians!"
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The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with oneaccord into the theater, draggingalong9Gaius and 10Aristarchus, Paul'straveling11companions from 12Macedonia.
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And when Paulwanted to go into the assembly, 13the disciples would not let him.
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Alsosome of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture* into the theater.
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14Sothen, some were shoutingone thing and someanother, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for whatreason they had cometogether.
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Some of the crowdconcluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having 15motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly.
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But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcryarose from them all as they shouted for abouttwohours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
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Afterquieting the crowd, the townclerksaid, "Men of 16Ephesus, whatman is there afterallwho does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the greatArtemis and of the image whichfelldown from heaven?
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"So, since these are undeniablefacts, you ought to keepcalm and to donothingrash.
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"For you have broughtthesemen here who are neither17robbers of templesnorblasphemers of our goddess.
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"Sothen, ifDemetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaintagainstanyman, the courts are in session and 18proconsuls are available; let them bringchargesagainstoneanother.
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"But if you wantanythingbeyond this, it shall be settled in the lawfulassembly.
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"For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in thisconnection we will be unable* to account* for thisdisorderlygathering."