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.