Haweis(i)
23 And there happened at that time no small disturbance about this way.
24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made little temples in silver to represent that of Diana, brought to the artificers no small gain;
25 whom collecting together, with the workmen also of such trinkets, he said, Sirs, ye know that by this employment we make our advantageous livelihood:
26 and ye see and hear how not only at Ephesus, but almost through all Asia, this fellow Paul, by his persuasions, hath perverted a vast multitude, affirming that they are not gods which are made with hands:
27 so that not only is this our trade in danger of falling into contempt, but also that this temple of the great goddess Diana should be counted as nothing, and that henceforth also her magnificence should be utterly destroyed, whom all Asia and the whole world worshippeth.
28 On hearing this then, and being filled with rage, they cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they rushed unanimously into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travelling companions.
30 But though Paul wished to go in to the people, the disciples would not permit him.
31 And some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent unto him, admonishing him not to venture himself into the theatre.
32 So they were crying out some one thing and some another: for the assembly was a scene of confusion, and the greater part knew not on what account they were collected together.
33 Then out of the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him on: and Alexander, waving his hand, would fain have addressed his apology to the people.
34 But when they knew he was a Jew, one shout burst from all, crying for about the space of two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 Then the recorder having quieted the multitude, said, Men of Ephesus, who indeed is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is wholly devoted to the great goddess Diana, and to the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 These things being then incontrovertible, it becomes you to be quiet, and to do nothing with precipitation.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, neither robbers of the temple, nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 If then indeed Demetrius and the artificers that are with him have a charge against any man, the courts are held, and there are proconsuls: let them implead one another.
39 And if ye have any dispute about other matters, it shall be terminated in a lawful assembly,
40 For we are even in danger of being called to account for this day's insurrection, there being no cause on account of which we can justify this tumultuary concourse:
41 and so saying, he dissolved the assembly.