Residents of Ephesus burn their books on the magic arts before Saint Paul. Engraving, 18th century, after J. Thornhill.

Bible. N.T. Acts 19.13-20. A high priest named Sceva takes Christ's name in vain and is punished by an evil spirit. "This became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell on them all ... And a number of those who practised magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of God grew and prevailed mightily"