The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XVI) 69 By the presence of this relative clause in D05, the previous clause becomes a parenthetical aside34. 33 (πρόϛ σε) παρακαλῶν ἐλθεῖν (+ σε DC) πρὸϛ ἡμᾶϛ D* d p syM.h** mae ‖ om. B P74 ) rell. The Syro-Palestinian fragment of Khirbet Mird (syM) gives support to this reading of D0535 which, as often, is only supported by versional witnesses. Further support is given to the Bezan readings by syM in the following verses. (σύ) τε B P74 ) C E rell | γε A ‖ δέ D d Ψ 323 e gig l t syM sa bo. There is considerable confusion between τε and δέ in the MSS which is, in part at least, phonetic36. The additional phrase immediately preceding this clause in D05 (see above variant) as well as the adverbial qualification in the present clause (see following variant) accounts for δέ as a particle that highlights the agreement between Cornelius’ action (ἔπεμψα πρόϛ σε…) and Peter’s response (σὺ δὲ καλῶϛ ἐποίησαϛ…). (ἐποίησαϛ) ἐν τάχει D d syM ‖ om. B P74 ) rell. According to D05, Peter had not only accepted Cornelius’ request but had done so without delay. (νῦν) οὖν B P74 ) DC rell, ergo d ‖ ἰδού D(*).A syM.p sa mae aeth. This is the first of a series of variant readings in the conclusion to Cornelius’ speech. In B03, he concludes his explanation of why he has summoned Peter by presenting the group assembled as the outcome (οὖν) of the preceding events. The focus in D05 will be maintained as Peter who was already established in the previous clause (especially with δέ, see above), with ἰδού presenting the group as seen with Peter’s eyes. (ἐνώπιον) τοῦ θεοῦ πάρεσμεν B P74 ) DC rell ‖ σου D* d (629 pc) lat syM. sa mae aeth. p B03 has Cornelius present the group as assembled before God (as distinct from ‘the Lord’ at the end of the sentence, see below); as mentioned in the previous comment, D05 keeps the focus on Peter (cf. previous variant). Delebecque, Les deux Actes, 75. 34 C. Perrot, ‘Un fragment christo-palestinien découvert à Khirbet-Mird (Actes des 35 Apôtres, X, 28-29, 32-41)’, RB 70 (1963) 506–55. Read-Heimerdinger, The Bezan Text, 204–11. 36