Acts 6

1 About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Greek speaking Jews against the Aramaic speaking Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

Now in those days, the disciples being multiplied, there developed a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily assistance.

2 The Twelve, therefore, called together the general body of the disciples and said to them, ‘It is not well for us to see to the distribution at the tables and neglect God’s message.

And the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, they said, It is not right for us, having left the word of God behind, to serve tables.

3 Therefore, friends, look for seven men of reputation among yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;

Therefore, brothers, seek ye out seven men from you being well reported, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this need.

4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the delivery of the message.’

But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the service of the word.

5 This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen – a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit – and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;

And the word was pleasing before all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte, a citizen of Antioch,

6 and they brought these men to the apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

men whom they placed before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid hands upon them.

7 So God’s message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the faith.

And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a large company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing great wonders and signs among the people.

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But some members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

But some of those from the synagogue called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up disputing with Stephen.

10 yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration with which he spoke.

And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

11 Then they induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses, and against God;

Then they instigated men who said, We have heard him speaking blasphemous sayings against Moses and God.

12 and they stirred up the people, as well as the elders and the teachers of the Law, and set on Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

And they incited the people, and the elders, and the scholars. And after approaching, they seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. ‘This man,’ they said, ‘is incessantly saying things against this holy place and the Law;

And they put forward false witnesses who said, This man does not cease speaking blasphemous sayings against the holy place, and the law.

14 indeed, we have heard him declare that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the customs handed down to us by Moses.’

For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.

15 The eyes of all the members of the Council were riveted on Stephen, and they saw his face looking like the face of an angel.

And all who sat in the council, having gazed upon him, saw his face like a face of an agent.