2 Corinthians 1:8-10
1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,
regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia,
that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living.
1:9 Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us,
so that we would not trust in ourselves
but in God who raises the dead.
1:10 He
delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him
that
he will deliver us yet again,
Acts 14:5
14:5 When both the Gentiles and the Jews (together with their rulers) made
an attempt to mistreat
them and stone them,
Acts 14:19
14:19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning the crowds over, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, presuming him to be dead.
Acts 16:19-24
16:19 But when her owners
saw their hope of profit
was gone, they seized
Paul and Silas and dragged
them into the marketplace before the authorities.
16:20 When
they had brought them
before the magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion.
They are
Jews
16:21 and are advocating
customs that are not lawful for us to accept
or practice,
since we are
Romans.”
16:22 The crowd joined the attack against them, and the magistrates tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered them to be beaten with rods.
16:23 After they had beaten them severely, they threw them into prison and commanded the jailer to guard them securely.
16:24 Receiving such orders, he threw them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 19:23-41
19:23 At that time a great disturbance took place concerning the Way.
19:24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a great deal of business to the craftsmen.
19:25 He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business.
19:26 And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all.
19:27 There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.”
19:28 When they heard this they became enraged and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
19:29 The city was filled with the uproar, and the crowd rushed to the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.
19:30 But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly, the disciples would not let him.
19:31 Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.
19:32 So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together.
19:33 Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly.
19:34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for about two hours.
19:35 After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven?
19:36 So because these facts are indisputable, you must keep quiet and not do anything reckless.
19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.
19:38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against someone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there.
19:39 But if you want anything in addition, it will have to be settled in a legal assembly.
19:40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause we can give to explain this disorderly gathering.”
19:41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:1
Disciples of John the Baptist at Ephesus
19:1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the inland regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples there
Colossians 1:1
Salutation
1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,