13. Some Jews used to travel from place to place and force evil spirits out of people. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to force evil spirits out of those who were possessed. These Jews would say, “I order you ⌊to come out⌋ in the name of Jesus, whom Paul talks about.”
14. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15. But the evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but who are you?”
16. Then the man possessed by the evil spirit attacked them. He beat them up so badly that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.
17. All the Jews and Greeks living in the city of Ephesus heard about this. All of them were filled with awe for the name of the Lord Jesus and began to speak very highly about it.
18. Many believers openly admitted their involvement with magical spells and told all the details.
19. Many of those who were involved in the occult gathered their books and burned them in front of everyone. They added up the cost of these books and found that they were worth 50,000 silver coins.
20. In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.
21. After all these things had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem by traveling through Macedonia and Greece. He said, “After I have been there, I must see Rome.”
22. So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed longer in the province of Asia.
23. During that time a serious disturbance concerning the way ⌊of Christ⌋ broke out in the city of Ephesus.
24. Demetrius, a silversmith, was in the business of making silver models of the temple of Artemis. His business brought a huge profit for the men who worked for him.
25. He called a meeting of his workers and others who did similar work. Demetrius said, “Men, you know that we’re earning a good income from this business,
26. and you see and hear what this man Paul has done. He has won over a large crowd that follows him not only in Ephesus but also throughout the province of Asia. He tells people that gods made by humans are not gods.