I speak in human terms on account of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to uncleanness, and to lawlessness [resulting] in [more] lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness [resulting] in sanctification.

Brothers, I speak in human fashion: A covenant is of a man, yet having been confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

But these, as unreasoning natural animals, having been born for capture and destruction, blaspheme at things which they are ignorant of, and shall be destroyed in their destruction,

But these speak blasphemously of those things which they do not know; but what they do know naturally, like unreasoning animals, they are destroyed by these things.

And it came about, while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paul, having gone through the interior regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

Now there arose during that time a serious disturbance concerning the Way.

whom he gathered, with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know out of this trade is our prosperity.

And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship."

And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one purpose into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul.

And also some of the officials of Asia, being friends with him, sent word to him and urged him not to present himself in the theater.

And from the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and desired to make a defense to the people.

And having quieted the crowd, the city clerk said: "Men of Ephesus, for what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the [image] fallen from heaven?

For you brought these men, neither temple thieves nor blasphemers of your goddess.

But if you are wanting to know anything about other [matters], it shall be determined by the lawful assembly.

And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

For we do not desire you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.

who delivered us from so great a death, and is delivering [us]; in whom we trust that He will still deliver [us],

I will answer you, and your three friends.

And I said, Verily in vain have I justified my heart, and washed my hands in innocence.

You said, He that serves God labors in vain: and what have we gained in that we have kept His ordinances, and in that we have walked as suppliants before the face of the Lord Almighty?

And now we pronounce strangers blessed; and all they who act unlawfully are built up; and they have resisted God, and yet have been delivered.

For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

A man has nothing good to eat, and to drink, and to show his soul [as] good in his trouble. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and let your heart cheer in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart blameless, but not in the sight of your eyes: yet know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

but they engaged in joy and gladness, slaying calves, and killing sheep, so as to eat flesh, and drink wine; saying, Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

[This translation omits this verse.]

And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid away for many years; relax; eat, drink, and be merry."'