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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in 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;

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. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon 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 spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.

8 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing 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 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 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak 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 stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they approached Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council.

13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words 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 say that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place, and will change the customs which 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 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.