Acts 6
1 And in those dayes, as the nomber of ye disciples grewe, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians towards ye Hebrewes, because their widowes were neglected in the dayly ministring.
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.
2 Then the twelue called the multitude of the disciples together, and sayd, It is not meete that we should leaue the worde of God to serue the tables.
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.
3 Wherefore brethren, looke ye out among you seuen men of honest report, and full of the holy Ghost, and of wisedome, which we may appoint to this busines.
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them
4 And we will giue our selues continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the worde.
and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steuen a man full of fayth and of the holy Ghost, and Philippe, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a Proselyte of Antiochia,
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.
6 Which they set before the Apostles: and they prayed, and layed their hands on them.
They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 And the worde of God increased, and the nomber of the disciples was multipled in Hierusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.
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.
8 Now Steuen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9 Then there arose certaine of the Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, and disputed with Steuen.
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,
10 But they were not able to resist the wisdome, and the Spirit by the which he spake.
but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
11 Then they suborned men, which saide, We haue heard him speake blasphemous wordes against Moses, and God.
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
12 Thus they mooued the people and the Elders, and the Scribes: and running vpon him, caught him, and brought him to the Councill,
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,
13 And set forth false witnesses, which sayd, This man ceasseth not to speake blasphemous wordes against this holy place, and the Law.
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
14 For we haue heard him say, that this Iesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances, which Moses gaue vs.
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15 And as all that sate in the Councill, looked stedfastly on him, they saw his face as it had bene the face of an Angel.
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
