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, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
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;
The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, “It is not right for us to give up the word of God in order to serve 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,
You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 and we to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, will give ourselves continually.”
As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in 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,
Their speech pleased the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 whom they set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid [their] hands on them.
The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed 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.
So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people,
Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing 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 there arose some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen.
10 and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking;
But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.
11 then they suborned men, saying, “We have heard him speaking slanderous sayings in regard to Moses and God.”
Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”
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;
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council.
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 brought false witnesses, who said, “This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and 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 this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
15 and gazing at him, all those sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.
Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.
