13. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists invoked the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We command you to come out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14. There were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva doing this.
15. The evil spirit answered, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?”
16. Then the man in whom the evil spirit was jumped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house naked and wounded.
17. This became known to all Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus. And fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18. Many who believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19. Many who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before everyone. They calculated their value, which equaled fifty thousand drachmas.
20. So the word of the Lord powerfully grew and spread.
21. After these things happened, Paul determined in his spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22. He sent two who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, but he delayed in Asia for a time.
23. About that time great trouble arose about the Way.
24. For a silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines for Artemis, brought much business to the craftsmen.
25. He gathered them together with the workmen of similar trades and said, “Men, you know that by this trade we have our wealth.
26. And you see and hear, not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, that this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that these things made by hands are not gods.
27. Now not only is our trade in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis, whom all Asia and the world worship, may be discredited and her magnificence destroyed.”
28. When they heard this, they were full of anger and cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29. The city was filled with confusion. And in unison they seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed into the theater.
30. When Paul intended to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him.
31. Even some of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him begging him not to venture into the theater.