21
Some time later, Sha'ul decided by the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and then go to Yerushalayim. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome."
22
So he dispatched two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia; but he himself remained in the province of Asia for awhile.
23
It was at this time that a major furor arose concerning the Way.
24
There was a silversmith named Demetrius who manufactured from silver, objects connected with the worship of the goddess Artemis; and he provided no small amount of work for the craftsmen.
25
He called a meeting of them and of those engaged in similar trades, and said, "Men, you understand that this line of business provides us our living.
26
And you can see and hear for yourselves that not only here in Ephesus, but in practically the whole province of Asia, this Sha'ul has convinced and turned away a considerable crowd by saying that man-made gods aren't gods at all.
27
Now the danger is not only that the reputation of our trade will suffer, but that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will come to be taken lightly. It could end up with the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and indeed throughout the whole world, being ignominiously brought down from her divine majesty!"
28
Hearing this, they were filled with rage and began bellowing, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
29
Soon the whole city was in an uproar. As one man, the mob rushed into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Sha'ul's traveling companions from Macedonia.
30
Sha'ul himself wanted to appear before the crowd, but the talmidim wouldn't let him.
31
Even some of the officials of the province, friends of his, sent a message begging him not to risk entering the theater.