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.

But in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

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 called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It doth not seem to us proper, that we should leave the word of God, and provide for 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, brethren, look out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business;

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

but we will give ourselves closely to prayer, and to the ministry 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 what was said pleased the whole 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 Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch,

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

whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on 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 in Jerusalem was greatly enlarged; and a great multitude 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 grace and power, wrought 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 who belonged to the so-called synagogue of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenaeans and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed 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 resist the wisdom and the Spirit with 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 suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words 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 stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and 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 set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words 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 say, This Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and change the customs which 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 that sat in the council, looking steadily upon him, saw his face like the face of an angel.