The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles 157 [B'-A']. The first part of the new sequence builds up to Paul’s lecturing in the synagogue of Ephesus, which had been a main topic throughout all of this part of Acts (seen as early as 13.5). The second part unfolds from a corresponding promise to return to the Jews at a later date, which leads on to a rapid succession of visits, eventually bringing Paul back to the doorstep of Asia once more. The close of this sequence thus creates anticipation as to the next stage of the narrative: [a] 18:18 Paul’s departure to Syria [b] 18:19a Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus [c] 18:19b He lectures in the synagogue [c'] 18:20-21 He promises to return [b'] 18:22 His visits to Caesarea, Jerusalem and Antioch [a'] 18:23 His visit to Galatia and Phrygia Translation Codex Bezae D05 Codex Vaticanus B03 [a] 18:18 Paul, after staying on for a 18:18 Paul, after staying on for a considerable number of days more, considerable number of days more, bade farewell to the brethren and bade farewell to the brethren and set sail for Syria, and with him was intending to sail off to Syria, Priscilla and Aquila, after cutting and with him Priscilla and Aquila, his hair in Cenchrea (for it had a after cutting in Cenchrea his hair synagogue). (for he had a vow). [b] 19a Having gone down to Ephesus, 19a They went down to Ephesus on the very next Sabbath, he left and he left them there. them there. [c] 19b He, for his part, entered the 19b He, for his part, entered the synagogue and began lecturing to synagogue and lectured to the Jews. the Jews. [c'] 20 When they asked him to stay 20 When they asked him to stay for with them for longer, he did not longer, he did not accept 21 but af- accept 21 but after bidding them ter bidding them farewell and say- farewell and saying, ‘I must at all ing, ‘I will come back to you again, costs celebrate the coming feast God willing’, he set sail from Ephe- day in Hierosoluma; I will return sus. to you when God wills’, he set sail from Ephesus. [b'] 22 After travelling down to Caesar- 22 After travelling down to Cae- ea, and going up and greeting the sarea, going up and greeting the church, he came down to Antioch. church, he came down to Antioch. [a'] 23 Having spent some time there, 23 Having spent some time there, he went away, travelling through he went away, travelling through place after place in the territory of place after place in the territory of Galatia and Phrygia and strength- Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening ening all the disciples. all the disciples.