Acts 19:30-40

30 But Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples suffered him not;
31 and some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre.
32 Different persons therefore cried out some different thing; for the assembly was tumultuous, and the most did not know for what cause they had come together.
33 But from among the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand, would have made a defence to the people.
34 But, recognising that he was a Jew, there was one cry from all, shouting for about two hours, Great [is] Artemis of the Ephesians.
35 And the townclerk, having quieted the crowd, said, Ephesians, what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great, and of the [image] which fell down from heaven?
36 These things therefore being undeniable, it is necessary that ye should be calm and do nothing headlong.
37 For ye have brought these men, [who are] neither temple-plunderers, nor speak injuriously of your goddess.
38 If therefore Demetrius and the artisans who [are] with him have a matter against any one, the courts are being held, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.
39 But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.
40 For also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this [affair] of to-day, no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Honorary magistrates, of the principal persons of the province, specially charged with the public festivals.
  • [b]. Latin, 'Diana.'
  • [c]. Lit. 'says, men Ephesians.'
  • [d]. Or 'from Jupiter.'
  • [e]. As verb, 'commit sacrilege,' Rom. 2.22.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.