17. This became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus. Everyone was seized with fear and they held the name of the Lord Jesus in the highest regard.
18. Many of those who had come to believe came, confessing their past practices.
19. This included a number of people who practiced sorcery. They collected their sorcery texts and burned them publicly. The value of those materials was calculated at more than someone might make if they worked for one hundred sixty-five years.
20. In this way the Lord’s word grew abundantly and strengthened powerfully.
21. Once these things had come to an end, Paul, guided by the Spirit, decided to return to Jerusalem, taking a route that would carry him through the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. He said, "After I have been there, I must visit Rome as well."
22. He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he remained awhile in the province of Asia.
23. At that time a great disturbance erupted about the Way.
24. There was a silversmith named Demetrius. He made silver models of Artemis’ temple, and his business generated a lot of profit for the craftspeople.
25. He called a meeting with these craftspeople and others working in related trades and said, "Friends, you know that we make an easy living from this business.
26. And you can see and hear that this Paul has convinced and misled a lot of people, not only in Ephesus but also throughout most of the province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands aren’t really gods.
27. This poses a danger not only by discrediting our trade but also by completely dishonoring the great goddess Artemis. The whole province of Asia—indeed, the entire civilized world—worships her, but her splendor will soon be extinguished."
28. Once they heard this, they were beside themselves with anger and began to shout, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
29. The city was thrown into turmoil. They rushed as one into the theater. They seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from the province of Macedonia.
30. Paul wanted to appear before the assembly, but the disciples wouldn’t allow him.
31. Even some officials of the province of Asia, who were Paul’s friends, sent word to him, urging him not to risk going into the theater.
32. Meanwhile, the assembly was in a state of confusion. Some shouted one thing, others shouted something else, and most of the crowd didn’t know why they had gathered.