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.

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, 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 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 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;

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

As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

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;

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, praying, they laid upon them their hands.

The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon 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 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 Now, Stephen, full of favour and power, began to do 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 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 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 could not withstand 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 set on men who were saying—We have heard him speaking profane things against Moses and God.

Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words 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.

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 they set up false witnesses, who said—This man, ceaseth not speaking things 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—This Jesus the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which, Moses, delivered unto 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, looking steadfastly at him, all they who were sitting in the high-council, saw his face, as if 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.