The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles 151 [b] 24 Indeed, there was a certain Dem- 24 Indeed, a certain person by the etrius, a silversmith making silver name of Demetrius, a silversmith, shrines for Artemis, who provided in making silver shrines for Artemis not a little business for the crafts- obtained not a little business for the men. craftsmen, [b'] 25 This man called together the 25 whom he called together and also craftsmen involved with such things the workmen involved with such and said to them, ‘Men, fellow- things, and said, ‘Men, you know craftsmen, you know that we de- that we depend on this business for pend on this business for our profit, our profit, 26 and you also see and 26 and you also hear and see that hear that not only in Ephesus but al- not only throughout Ephesus but most all of Asia this Paul has drawn also extending to almost all of Asia away a considerable crowd by his this Paul, whoever he is, has drawn persuasion, by saying that gods made away a considerable crowd by his with hands are not gods. 27 Not only persuasion, by saying that these are does this cause us the risk of our line no gods seeing as they are made of business coming into disrepute, with hands. 27 Not only do we risk but it also risks causing the temple by this our line of business coming of the great goddess Artemis to be into disrepute, but also the temple reckoned as worthless and above all of the great goddess, Artemis, will causing her, whom all of Asia and be reckoned as worthless and, above the inhabited world venerates, to be all, she whom all of Asia and the in- surely brought down from her mag- habited world venerates will surely nificence.’ be brought down.’ [c] 28 On hearing this, they became full 28 When they heard, they became full of anger and as they ran into the of anger and started shouting saying, streets they started shouting saying, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’ [c'] 29a And the whole city was con- 29a And the city was filled with con- fused with shame. fusion. [d] 29b They rushed of one accord into 29b They rushed of one accord into the theatre, but not before they the theatre, having seized hold of had seized hold of Gaius and Ar- Gaius and Artistarchus, Macedoni- tistarchus, Macedonians who were ans who were travelling companions travelling companions of Paul. of Paul. [e] 30 Although Paul was wanting to go 30 Paul was wanting to go into the into the meeting, the disciples tried meeting, but the disciples would not to prevent him. allow him. [e'] 31 Even some of the Asiarchs who 31 Even some of the Asiarchs who were his friends sent word to him were his friends sent word to him ex- exhorting him not to go into the horting him not to go into the thea- theatre. tre. [f] 32a Now, people were shouting dif- 32a Now, people were shouting dif- ferent things. ferent things,