Part 25

44:019:009 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

44:019:010 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

44:019:011 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

44:019:012 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

44:019:013 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

44:019:014 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

44:019:015 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

44:019:016 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

44:019:017 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

44:019:018 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

44:019:019 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

44:019:020 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

44:019:021 After these things were ended, 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.

44:019:022 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

44:019:023 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

44:019:024 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

44:019:025 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

44:019:026 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

44:019:027 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

44:019:028 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

44:019:029 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

44:019:030 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

44:019:031 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

44:019:032 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

44:019:033 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

44:019:034 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

44:019:035 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

44:019:036 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.