Psalms 13; Psalms 14; Psalms 15; Acts 19:21-41

1 How long will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long will I be left to my own wits, agony filling my heart? Daily? How long will my enemy keep defeating me?

3 Look at me! Answer me, LORD my God! Restore sight to my eyes! Otherwise, I'll sleep the sleep of death,

4 and my enemy will say, "I won!" My foes will rejoice over my downfall.

5 But I have trusted in your faithful love. My heart will rejoice in your salvation.

6 Yes, I will sing to the LORD because he has been good to me.

1 Fools say in their hearts, There is no God. They are corrupt and do evil things; not one of them does anything good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven on humans to see if anyone is wise, to see if anyone seeks God,

3 but all of them have turned bad. Everyone is corrupt. No one does good— not even one person!

4 Are they dumb, all these evildoers, devouring my people like they are eating bread but never calling on the LORD?

5 Count on it: they will be in utter panic because God is with the righteous generation.

6 You evildoers may humiliate the plans of those who suffer, but the LORD is their refuge.

7 Let Israel's salvation come out of Zion! When the LORD changes his people's circumstances for the better, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will celebrate!

1 Who can live in your tent, LORD? Who can dwell on your holy mountain?

2 The person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely;

3 who does no damage with their talk, does no harm to a friend, doesn't insult a neighbor;

4 someone who despises those who act wickedly, but who honors those who honor the LORD; someone who keeps their promise even when it hurts;

5 someone who doesn't lend money with interest, who won't accept a bribe against any innocent person. Whoever does these things will never stumble.

21 Once these things had come to an end, Paul, guided by the Spirit, decided to return to Jerusalem, taking a route that would carry him through the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. He said, "After I have been there, I must visit Rome as well."

22 He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he remained awhile in the province of Asia.

23 At that time a great disturbance erupted about the Way.

24 There was a silversmith named Demetrius. He made silver models of Artemis' temple, and his business generated a lot of profit for the craftspeople.

25 He called a meeting with these craftspeople and others working in related trades and said, "Friends, you know that we make an easy living from this business.

26 And you can see and hear that this Paul has convinced and misled a lot of people, not only in Ephesus but also throughout most of the province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands aren't really gods.

27 This poses a danger not only by discrediting our trade but also by completely dishonoring the great goddess Artemis. The whole province of Asia—indeed, the entire civilized world—worships her, but her splendor will soon be extinguished."

28 Once they heard this, they were beside themselves with anger and began to shout, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

29 The city was thrown into turmoil. They rushed as one into the theater. They seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from the province of Macedonia.

30 Paul wanted to appear before the assembly, but the disciples wouldn't allow him.

31 Even some officials of the province of Asia, who were Paul's friends, sent word to him, urging him not to risk going into the theater.

32 Meanwhile, the assembly was in a state of confusion. Some shouted one thing, others shouted something else, and most of the crowd didn't know why they had gathered.

33 The Jews sent Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd directed their words toward him. He gestured that he wanted to offer a defense before the assembly,

34 but when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" This continued for about two hours.

35 The city manager brought order to the crowd and said, "People of Ephesus, doesn't everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?

36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you must calm down. Don't be reckless.

37 The men you brought here have neither robbed the temple nor slandered our goddess.

38 Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftspeople with him have a charge against anyone, the courts are in session and governors are available. They can press charges against each other there.

39 Additional disputes can be resolved in a legal assembly.

40 As for us, we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since we can't justify this unruly gathering."

41 After he said this, he dismissed the assembly.