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.
In those days, as the disciples increased in number, a complaint arose against the Hebrews on the part of the Hellenists that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
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.
So the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said, “It is not proper for us to neglect the word of God to wait on 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, look for seven men among you who have a good reputation and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint for this need.
4 and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
But we will devote ourselves 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.
This proposal pleased the whole multitude, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, an Antiochean convert to Judaism.
6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
They set these men before the apostles, who then prayed and 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.
So the word of God continued to increase, and the number of disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
Now Stephen, a man full of faith and power, was performing 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 men from the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), along with some of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some men from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and began to argue with Stephen.
10 but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
Then they induced some men to say, “We heard Stephen speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
12 So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,
They also stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. So they came up to Stephen, seized him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin.
13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
Then they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against the holy place and against 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 heard him saying that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down 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 were sitting in the Sanhedrin stared at Stephen intently and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
