7:
And all the men were about twelve. |
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8: And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of
three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
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9: 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. |
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10: 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. |
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11: And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
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12: 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. |
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13: 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. |
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14: And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the
priests, which did so. |
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15: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know;
but who are ye? |
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16: 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. |
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17: 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. |
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18: And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
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19: 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. |
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20: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. |
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21: 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. |
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22: So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him,
Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. |
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23: And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
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24: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver
shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; |
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25: Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and
said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. |
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26: 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: |
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27: 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. |
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28: And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried
out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. |
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29: 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. |
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30: And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples
suffered him not. |
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31: 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. |
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32: Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly
was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
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33: 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. |
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34: 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. |
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35: 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? |
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36: Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to
be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. |
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37: For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of
churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. |
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38: Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a
matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them
implead one another. |
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39: But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be
determined in a lawful assembly. |
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40: For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar,
there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. |
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41: And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. |