Acts 6

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

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 So the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and 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 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint 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 continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

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

5 And these words pleased the whole gathering. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, 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. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

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

7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and a large group of the priests were obedient to 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 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

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

9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, 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 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak 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 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in 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 set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this 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 say that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to 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 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was 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.