28When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
30Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
31Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
32Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.
33The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
34But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men 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?
36Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash.
37For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.
38So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.
39But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.
40For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
41After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.