1 And while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul travelled over the upper countries to Ephesus. And he inquired of the disciples whom he found there,2 Have ye received the Holy Spirit, since ye believed? They answered and said to him: If there be a Holy Spirit, it hath not come to our hearing.3 He said to them: Into what then were ye baptized? They say: Into the baptism of John.4 Paul said to them: John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, while he told them to believe in him who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus the Messiah.5 And when they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Messiah.6 And Paul laid hand on them; and the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in various tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the persons were twelve.
8 And Paul entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly three months, persuading in regard to the kingdom of God.9 And some of them were hardened, and disputatious, and reviled the way of God before the assembly of the people. Then Paul withdrew himself, and separated the disciples from them. And he discoursed with them daily in the school of a man named Tyrannus.10 And this continued for two years, until all who resided in Asia, both Jews and Gentiles, heard the word of the Lord. 11 And God wrought very great miracles by the hand of Paul:12 so that, from the clothes on his body, napkins and rags were carried and laid upon the sick, and the diseases left them, and demons also went out.
13 And moreover certain Jews, who went: about exorcising demons, were disposed to exorcise in the name of our Lord Jesus over those who had unclean spirits, by saying: We adjure you, in the name of that Jesus whom Paul announceth.14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did this.15 And the evil demon answered and said to them: Jesus I well know, and Paul I know, but as for you, who are ye?16 And the man in whom was the evil demon leaped upon them, and overpowered them, and threw them down: and they fled out of the house denuded and bruised.17 And this became known to all the Jews and Gentiles, who resided at Ephesus. And fear fell on them all, and the name of our Lord Jesus Messiah was exalted.18 And many of them that believed, came and narrated their faults, and confessed what they had done.19 And also many magicians collected their books, and brought and burned them before every body: and they computed the cost of them, and it amounted to fifty thousand of silver. 20 And thus with great power was the faith of God strengthened and increased.
21 And when these things had been accomplished, Paul purposed in his mind, to make the circuit of all Macedonia and Achaia, and go to Jerusalem. And he said: After I have gone thither, I must also see Rome. 22 And he sent two persons, of those that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia; but he himself remained for a time in Asia.23 And at that time there was great commotion respecting the way of God.24 For a certain silversmith was there, named Demetrius, who made silver shrines for Diana, and afforded great profits to the artisans of his trade.25 He assembled all the artisans of his trade, and those who labored with them, and said to them: Gentlemen, ye know that our gains are all from this manufacture.26 And ye also know and see, that not only the citizens of Ephesus, but also the mass of all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and enticed away, by saying, that those are not gods, which are made by the hands of men.27 And not only is this occupation slandered and impeded, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana is accounted as nothing; and likewise the goddess herself of all Asia, and whom all nations worship, is contemned.28 And when they heard these things they were filled with wrath; and they cried out, and said: Great is Diana of the Ephesians.29 And the whole city was in commotion; and they ran together, and entered the theatre. And they caught, and bore along with them, Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, and associates of Paul.30 And Paul was disposed to go into the theatre: but the disciples restrained him.31 And likewise the chiefs of Asia, because they were his friends, sent and requested of him, that he would not expose himself by going into the theatre.32 And the multitudes that were in the theatre were in great confusion, and cried, some one thing, and some another: and many of them knew not for what cause they had come together.33 And the Jewish people who were there, brought forward one of their men, a Jew, named Alexander. And he, rising up, waved his hand, and wished to make a defence before the people.34 But they knowing him to be a Jew, all cried out with one voice, about two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians.35 But the chief of the city tranquillized them, by saying: Men of Ephesus, What person is there, among men, who doth not know the city of the Ephesians to be devoted to the worship of the great Diana, and of her image that descended from heaven?36 Since therefore no one can gainsay this, ye ought to be tranquil, and to do nothing with precipitancy.37 For ye have brought forward these men, when they have robbed no temples, and have not reviled our goddess.38 But if Demetrius and the men of his trade have a controversy with any one, lo, there is a proconsul in the city, they are men of dexterity, let them approach and litigate with one another.39 Or if you desire any other thing, it may be determined in the place assigned by law for an assembly.40 Because too we are now in danger of being accused as seditious, since we cannot give a reason for the meeting of this day, because we have assembled needlessly, and been tumultuous without a cause.41 And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
