Acts 6

1 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Now in those days, the disciples being multiplied, there developed a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily assistance.

2 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, they said, It is not right for us, having left the word of God behind, to serve tables.

3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them

Therefore, brothers, seek ye out seven men from you being well reported, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this need.

4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the service of the word.

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

And the word was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte, a citizen of Antioch,

6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

men whom they placed before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid hands upon them.

7 So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a large company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen,

But some of those from the synagogue called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up disputing with Stephen.

10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

Then they instigated men who said, We have heard him speaking blasphemous sayings against Moses and God.

12 So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,

And they incited the people, and the elders, and the scholars. And after approaching, they seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

And they put forward false witnesses who said, This man does not cease speaking blasphemous sayings against the holy place, and the law.

14 For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

And all who sat in the council, having gazed upon him, saw his face like a face of an agent.