24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith making silver shrines for Diana, was providing no small profit to craftsmen.
25. And calling them together, with those who were employed in the same way, he said: "Men, you know that our income is from this craft.
26. And you are seeing and hearing that this man Paul, by persuasion, has turned away a great multitude, not only from Ephesus, but from nearly all of Asia, saying, 'These things are not gods which have been made by hands.'
27. Thus, not only is this, our occupation, in danger of being brought into repudiation, but also the temple of the great Diana will be reputed as nothing! Then even her majesty, whom all of Asia and the world worships, will begin to be destroyed."
28. Upon hearing this, they were filled with anger, and they cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
29. And the city was filled with confusion. And having seized Gaius and Aristarchus of Macedonia, companions of Paul, they rushed violently, with one accord, into the amphitheatre.
30. Then, when Paul wanted to enter to the people, the disciples would not permit him.
31. And some of the leaders from Asia, who were his friends, also sent to him, requesting that he not present himself in the amphitheatre.
32. But others were crying out various things. For the assembly was in confusion, and most did not know the reason they had been called together.
33. So they dragged Alexander from the crowd, while the Jews were propelling him forward. And Alexander, gesturing with his hand for silence, wanted to give the people an explanation.
34. But as soon as they realized him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for about two hours, were crying out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
35. And when the scribe had calmed the crowds, he said: "Men of Ephesus, now what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is in the service of the great Diana and of the offspring of Jupiter?
36. Therefore, since these things are not able to be contradicted, it is necessary for you to be calm and to do nothing rash.
37. For you have brought forward these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers against your goddess.
38. But if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, they can convene in the courts, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.
39. But if you would inquire about other things, this can be decided in a lawful assembly.
40. For now we are in peril of being convicted of sedition over today's events, since there is no one guilty (against whom we are able to provide evidence) in this gathering." And when he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.