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.

But, in these days, the disciples, multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, in that, their widows, were being overlooked in the daily ministry.

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.

And the Twelve, calling near the throng of the disciples, said—It doth not seem, right, that, we, forsaking the word of God, should be ministering unto 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.

But look out for yourselves, brethren, seven men from among you, who can be well-attested, full of Spirit and wisdom, —whom we will appoint over this need;

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

But, we, unto prayer and unto the ministry of the word, will give constant attention.

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 the word was pleasing in the sight of all the throng; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholaus, 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, and, praying, they laid upon them their hands.

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.

And, the word of God, went on growing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem continued to multiply exceedingly; a great multitude of the priests also, were becoming obedient unto the faith.

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

Now, Stephen, full of favour and power, began to do 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 there rose up certain of those out of the synagogue which is called [the synagogue] of them of Libertium and Cyrene and Alexandria, and certain of them from Cilicia and Asia, —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.

And they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking,

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

Then, they set on men who were saying—We have heard him speaking profane things 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,

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes; and, coming upon him, they caught him away, and led him into the high-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 they set up false witnesses, who said—This man, ceaseth not speaking things 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 saying—This Jesus the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which, Moses, delivered unto us.

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

And, looking steadfastly at him, all they who were sitting in the high-council, saw his face, as if the face of a messenger;