28. When they heard, they were filled with fury and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29. The city was filled with confusion. They rushed into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were travel companions of Paul.
30. Paul was wishing to enter among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.
31. Some of the chiefs of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to surrender himself in the theater.
32. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most did not know why they had come together.
33. Some of the crowd solicited Alexander, whom the Jewish people put forward. Alexander motioned with his hand. He wished to offer a defense to the crowd.
34. But recognizing that he was Jewish, for about two hours they all with one voice cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35. After the town clerk quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis and of her image fallen from heaven?
36. Since these things are undeniable, you must be calm and do nothing reckless.
37. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor revilers of our goddess.
38. If Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse them.
39. But if you seek anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly.
40. For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, there being no reason which we are able to give to justify this mob.” Upon saying this, he dismissed the assembly.