Acts 6

1 And in these days, the disciples multiplying, there came a murmuring of the Hellenists at the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministry,

Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms.

2 and the Twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, minister at tables;

Then the Twelve called the general body of the disciples together, and said to them. "It is not fitting for us to leave off preaching the Word of God, and minister at tables.

3 look out, therefore, brothers, seven men of you who are testified well of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,

"So, brothers, find from among your own number seven men of good reputation who are full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them over this business.

4 and we to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, will give ourselves continually.”

"But we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word."

5 And the thing was pleasing before all the 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 Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

This plan commended itself to the whole body, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

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

These men they presented to the apostles who, when they had prayed, laid their hands upon them.

7 And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude of the priests were also obedient to the faith.

And the word of the Lord continued to spread; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was increasing exceedingly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people,

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

9 and there arose certain of those of the synagogue, the [one] called Libertines (and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia), disputing with Stephen,

But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen,

10 and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking;

but were unable to withstand the wisdom and spirit with which he used to speak.

11 then they suborned men, saying, “We have heard him speaking slanderous sayings in regard to Moses and God.”

Then they instigated some to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemy against Moses and against God;" and in this way they excited the people.

12 They also stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come on [him], they caught him, and brought [him] to the Sanhedrin;

The elders and the scribes rushed upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin.

13 they also set up false witnesses, saying, “This one does not cease to speak evil sayings against this holy place and the Law,

They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law.

14 for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarean will overthrow this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us”;

"For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses."

15 and gazing at him, all those sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.

Then all who were sitting in the council at once fixed their eyes upon him, and saw his face like the face of an angel.