Acts 19
Lamsa Bible Par ▾ 
1AND it came to pass, that while Apol’los was at Cor’inth, Paul traveled through the northern countries and came to Eph'e-sus, and inquired of the disciples whom he found there, 2Have you received the Holy Spirit since you were converted? They answered and said to him, We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3Then he said to them, By what baptism then were you baptized? They said, By the baptism of John. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying unto them that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, Jesus Christ. 5When they heard these things, they were baptized in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. 6And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke in divers tongues, and prophesied. 7And there were in all twelve persons.

8Then Paul entered into the synagogue, and spoke openly for a period of three months, persuading the people concerning the kingdom of God. 9But some of them were stubborn, and they disputed and cursed the way of God in the presence of the assembly. Then Paul withdrew, and separated the disciples from them, and he spoke to them daily in the school of a man named Ty-ran’us. 10And this continued for two years until all who dwelt in Asia Minor, both Jews and Arameans (Syrians), heard the word of God.

11And God wrought great miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that even when, of the clothes on his body, pieces of garments were brought and laid upon the sick, diseases were cured, and even the insane were restored.

13Now certain Jews, who went about exorcising evil spirits, invoked the name of our LORD Jesus over those who were possessed, saying, We adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. 14And there were seven sons of one Sce’va, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did this. 15And the insane man answered and said to them, Jesus I recognize and Paul I know; but who are you? 16Then the insane man leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known to all the Jews and Arameans (Syrians) who dwelt at Eph'esus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of our LORD Jesus Christ was magnified. 18And many of them that believed came, and told their faults, and confessed what they had done. 19Many magicians also gathered together their books and brought them and burned them before the presence of the people; and they counted the price of them, and it amounted to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the faith of God and greatly increased in numbers.

21When these things had been accomplished, Paul made up his mind to travel through all of Mac-e-do’ni-a and A-cha’ia, and then to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22So he sent to Mac-e-do’ni-a two men of those who had ministered to him, Ti-mo’theus and E-ras’tus; but he himself stayed in Asia Minor for some time.

23And at that time there was a great uprising against those who followed in the way of God. 24There was here a silversmith named Deme’tri- us, who made silver shrines for Ar’temis, thus greatly enriching the craftsmen of his trade. 25He called together all the craftsmen of his trade, with the workmen of like occupation, and said to them: Men, you know that all of our earnings are derived from this craft. 26You also hear and see that not only the Ephe’si- ans, but almost throughout all Asia Minor, this Paul has persuaded, and turned away many people simply by saying that gods made by the hands of men are not gods, 27So that not only is this craft doomed, but also the temple of the great goddess Ar’temis will be disregarded, and the goddess of all Asia Minor, even she whom all peoples worship, will be despised.

28And when they heard these things they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Ar’te-mis of the E-phe’si-ans. 29And the whole city was in tumult: and they rushed together to the theatre, and there seized and carried along with them Ga’ius and Ar-is-tar’chus, Mac-e-do’ni-ans, members of Paul’s escort. 30And Paul wanted to go into the theatre, but the disciples stopped him. 31And likewise some of the chiefs of Asia Minor, because they were his friends, sent to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the theatre. 32Now the multitude in the theatre was greatly confused; some cried one thing, and some another; and many of them did not know why they had assembled together. 33And the Jews who were there appointed a Jew named Al-ex-an’der. And when he rose up, he gestured with his hand and would have addressed the people. 34But when they knew he was a Jew, all of them cried out with one voice for about two hours, Great is Ar’te-mis of the E-phe’si-ans. 35The mayor of the city finally quieted them, saying, Men of Eph'e-sus, who among men does not know that the city of the Ephe’si- ans is the seat of great Ar’te-mis and her image that fell from heaven. 36Since, therefore, no man can contradict this, you should keep quiet, and do nothing hastily. 37For you have brought these men here who have neither robbed temples nor have they reviled our goddess. 38But if De-me’tri-us and the men of his trade have a case against any man, behold there is a proconsul in the city; let the craftsmen come forward and settle with one another in the court. 39But if you want something else, it must be determined in a lawful assembly. 40For even now we are in danger of being charged with sedition, for we cannot give an answer concerning this day’s meeting, because we have assembled for no reason, and have been tumultuous without a cause. 41And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.


Holy Bible From The Ancient Eastern Texts: Aramaic Of The Peshitta by George M. Lamsa (1933)

Acts 18
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