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.
33. The Jews sent Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd directed their words toward him. He gestured that he wanted to offer a defense before the assembly,
34. but when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" This continued for about two hours.
35. The city manager brought order to the crowd and said, "People of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
36. Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you must calm down. Don’t be reckless.
37. The men you brought here have neither robbed the temple nor slandered our goddess.
38. Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftspeople with him have a charge against anyone, the courts are in session and governors are available. They can press charges against each other there.
39. Additional disputes can be resolved in a legal assembly.