13
Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."
14
Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15
And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"
16
Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17
This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18
And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19
Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20
So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
21
When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
22
So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
23
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25
He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26
Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27
So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship."
28
Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"
29
So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.
30
And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32
Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.