(མཛད་པ། 19:21-27)
Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Acts 19:21-27)
Once again as in Philippi (Chapter 26 verses 16-24) there was a threat to wealthy business. It was not the worshippers of idol gods who felt threatened, but silversmiths and other tradespeople who feared a fall in their profits. This was because so many people were repenting of idol-worship and following the Way of Jesus.
With great success Demetrius stirred up the craftsmen. Read on to find out what happened next.