Moffatt(i)
23 It was about that time that a great commotion arose over the Way. This was how it happened.
24 By making silver shrines of Artemis a silversmith called Demetrius was the means of bringing rich profit to his workmen.
25 So he got them together, along with the workmen who belonged to similar trades, and said to them: "My men, you know this trade is the source of our wealth.
26 You also see and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost all over Asia this fellow Paul has drawn off a considerable number of people by his persuasions. He declares that hand-made gods are not gods at all.
27 Now the danger is not only that we will have our trade discredited but that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will fall into contempt and that she will be degraded from her majestic glory, she whom all Asia and the wide world worship."
28 When they heard this they were filled with rage and raised the cry, "Great is Artemis of Ephesus!"
29 So the city was filled with confusion. They rushed like one man into the amphitheatre, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were travelling with Paul.
30 (Paul wanted to enter the popular assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
31 Some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, also sent to beg him not to venture into the amphitheatre.)
32 Some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority had no idea why they had met.
33 Some of the mob concluded it must be Alexander, as the Jews pushed him to the front. So Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to defend himself before the people;
34 but when they discovered he was a Jew, a roar broke from them all, and for about two hours they shouted, "Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus!"
35 The secretary of state then got the mob calmed down, and said to them, "Men of Ephesus, who on earth does not know that the city of Ephesus is Warden of the temple of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven?