Acts 6

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was increasing, protests were made by the Greek Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were not taken care of in the distribution of food every day.

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

2 And the Apostles sent for all the disciples and said, It is not right for us to give up preaching the word of God in order to make distribution of food.

So the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

3 Take then from among you seven men of good name, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, to whom we may give control of this business.

Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 Then we will give all our time to prayer and the teaching of the word.

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

5 And this saying was pleasing to all of them: and they made selection of Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas of Antioch, who had become a Jew:

And these words pleased the whole gathering. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

6 These they took to the Apostles, who, after prayer, put their hands on them.

whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God was increasing in power; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem became very great, and a great number of priests were in agreement with the faith.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But some of those who were of the Synagogue named that of the Libertines, and some of the men of Cyrene and of Alexandria and those from Cilicia and Asia, had arguments with Stephen.

But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

10 But they were not able to get the better of him, for his words were full of wisdom and of the Spirit.

They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they got men to say, He has said evil against Moses and against God, in our hearing.

Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

12 And the people, with the rulers and the scribes, were moved against him, and they came and took him before the Sanhedrin,

They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,

13 And they got false witnesses who said, This man is for ever saying things against this holy place and against the law:

and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Law.

14 For he has said in our hearing that this Jesus of Nazareth will put this place to destruction and make changes in the rules which were handed down to us by Moses.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

15 And all those who were in the Sanhedrin, looking at him, saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.