Acts 6

1 But, in these days, the disciples, multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, in that, their widows, were being overlooked in the daily ministry.

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.

2 And the Twelve, calling near the throng of the disciples, said—It doth not seem, right, that, we, forsaking the word of God, should be ministering unto tables.

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.

3 But look out for yourselves, brethren, seven men from among you, who can be well-attested, full of Spirit and wisdom, —whom we will appoint over this need;

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;

4 But, we, unto prayer and unto the ministry of the word, will give constant attention.

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

5 And the word was pleasing in the sight of all the throng; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

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;

6 Whom they set before the Apostles, and, praying, they laid upon them their hands.

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

7 And, the word of God, went on growing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem continued to multiply exceedingly; a great multitude of the priests also, were becoming obedient unto the faith.

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.

8 Now, Stephen, full of favour and power, began to do great wonders and signs among the people.

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

9 But there rose up certain of those out of the synagogue which is called [the synagogue] of them of Libertium and Cyrene and Alexandria, and certain of them from Cilicia and Asia, —disputing with Stephen;

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;

10 And they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking,

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

11 Then, they set on men who were saying—We have heard him speaking profane things against Moses and God.

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

12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes; and, coming upon him, they caught him away, and led him into the high-council.

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.

13 And they set up false witnesses, who said—This man, ceaseth not speaking things against this holy place and the law;

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

14 For we have heard him saying—This Jesus the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which, Moses, delivered unto us.

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.”

15 And, looking steadfastly at him, all they who were sitting in the high-council, saw his face, as if the face of a messenger;

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.