The reading today comes from Acts chapter 19, beginning in verse 23.

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the way.

A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silvershrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business

for the craftsmen there.

He called them together along with all the workers in related trades and said,

you know my friends that we have received good income from this business.

And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers

of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia.

He says that God's made by human hands are no gods at all.

There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple

of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited.

And the goddess herself, who has worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world,

will be robbed of her divine majesty.

When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting,

great is Artemis of the Ephesians, soon after the whole city was in an uproar.

The people seized Gaius from Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia,

and all of them rushed into the theater together.

Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.

Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging

him not to venture into the theater.

The assembly was in confusion.

Some were shouting one thing, some another.

...