The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. So come out now and go in peace.”

When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming, “These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too,

He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business.

But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for about two hours.

“And now I know that none of you among whom I went around proclaiming the kingdom will see me again.

especially saddened by what he had said, that they were not going to see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

(For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him previously, and they assumed Paul had brought him into the inner temple courts.)

I replied, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat those in the various synagogues who believed in you.

This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, when I came up with the detachment and rescued him, because I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.

As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

other than this one thing I shouted out while I stood before them: ‘I am on trial before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.

Paul said in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.”

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.

And do you think, whoever you are, when you judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment?

Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.