Acts 6

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

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 And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to [them], said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve 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 Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of [the] [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:

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 but we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

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

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and [the] Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,

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 whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

They set these men before the apostles, who then prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed 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 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.

Now Stephen, a man full of faith and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

9 And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing 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 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

11 Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

Then they induced some men to say, “We heard Stephen speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

12 And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon [him] they seized him and brought [him] to the council.

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 And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and 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 saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught 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 And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as [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.