Acts 19

1. Now it came to pass that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the upper parts and came to Ephesus; and when he found certain disciples,

2. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit after you believed?” And they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3. Then he said to them, “Unto what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Unto the baptism of John.”

4. And Paul said, “John truly baptized with a baptism unto repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in Him Who was coming after him—that is, in Jesus, the Christ.”

5. And after hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

6. Now when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

7. And all the men were about twelve.

8. Then he entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

9. But when some were hardened and refused to believe, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples; and he disputed these things daily in the school of a certain Tyrannus.

10. And this took place for two years, so that all those who inhabited Asia heard the message of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11. And God worked special works of power by the hands of Paul,

12. So that even when handkerchiefs or cloths were brought from his body to those who were sick, the diseases departed from them and the wicked spirits went out from them.

13. Then certain vagabond Jews, exorcists, took it upon themselves to pronounce over those who had wicked spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”

14. Now there were certain men, seven sons of a Jew named Sceva, a high priest, who were doing this.

15. But the wicked spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I have knowledge of; but you, who are you?”

16. And the man in whom was the wicked spirit attacked them, overpowered them and prevailed against them, so that they escaped out of that house naked and wounded.

17. Now this became known to everyone inhabiting Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18. Then many of those who believed came forward to confess and declare their deeds.

19. And many of those who practiced the occult arts brought their books and burned them before all; and they calculated the cost of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20. And so the Word of the Lord spread and prevailed mightily.

21. Now when all these things had taken place, Paul determined in his spirit that when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, he must go to Jerusalem, saying, “After going there, I must also see Rome.”

22. And when he had sent to Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he remained in Asia for a time.

23. And at that time it came to pass that there was no small tumult about the way.

24. For there was a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver temples for Diana, which brought the artificers no small gain.

25. After gathering together the workmen who worked in such things, he said, “Men, you know that from this craft we gain our wealth;

26. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great multitude to turn away, saying that they are not gods which are made by hands.

27. Now not only is our business in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana, whom all Asia and the world worship, is in danger of being regarded as nothing, and her majesty also is about to be destroyed.”

28. And after hearing this, they were filled with rage; and they cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

29. And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians and fellow travelers of Paul, and rushed with one accord to the theater.

30. Now Paul was determined to go in to the people, but the disciples prevented him.

31. And some of the chiefs of Asia, who also were his friends, sent to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

32. Now some were crying out one thing and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the majority of them did not know for what reason they had come together.

33. Then they selected Alexander from among the multitude, the Jews pushing him forward; and Alexander made a sign with his hand, wishing to make a defense to the people.

34. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, there was a unified shout from all for about the space of two hours as they cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

35. Now after the recorder had calmed the multitude, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the inhabitants of the city of Ephesus are keepers of the temple of the great goddess Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter?

36. Since these things are undeniable, it is imperative that you be calm and do nothing recklessly.

37. For you brought these men forcibly, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

38. On the one hand, if Demetrius and the artificers with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.

39. But on the other hand, if you have questions about any other matter, it shall be resolved in a lawful assembly.

40. And moreover, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection because of this day since there is not one reason that we can give to justify this gathering.”

41. And after saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.