Acts 6

1 And in those days, when the disciples had become numerous, the Grecian disciples murmured against the Hebrew, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration to the needy.

And in these days, the disciples multiplying, there came a murmuring of the Hellenists at the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministration,

2 And the twelve legates convoked the whole company of the disciples, and said to them: It is not proper, that we should neglect the word of God, and serve tables.

and the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, 'It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables;

3 Therefore brethren, search out, and elect from among you, seven men of whom there is good testimony, men full of the Spirit of the Lord, and of wisdom; that we may place them over this business:

look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,

4 and we will continue in prayer, and in the ministration of the word.

and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.'

5 And this proposal was acceptable before all the people. And they elected Stephen, a man who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas an Antiochian proselyte.

And the thing was pleasing before all the multitude, and they did choose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

6 These stood before the legates; and when they had prayed, they laid the hand on them.

whom they did set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid on them [their] hands.

7 And the word of God increased, and the number of disciples was enlarged at Jerusalem greatly; and many people from among the Jews, were obedient to the faith.

And the word of God did increase, and the number of the disciples did multiply in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen was full of grace and energy; and he wrought signs and prodigies among the people.

And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people,

9 And there rose up some of the synagogue which is called that of the freed men, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and persons from Cilicia and from Asia; and they disputed with Stephen.

and there arose certain of those of the synagogue, called of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia, disputing with Stephen,

10 And they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit that spoke by him.

and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking;

11 Then they sent men, and instructed them to say: We have heard him speak words of blasphemy, against Moses and against God.

then they suborned men, saying — 'We have heard him speaking evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.'

12 And they excited the people, and the Elders, and the Scribes; and they came, and rose upon him, and seized him, and carried him into the midst of the council.

They did stir up also the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come upon [him], they caught him, and brought [him] to the sanhedrim;

13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to utter words contrary to the law, and against this holy place.

they set up also false witnesses, saying, 'This one doth not cease to speak evil sayings against this holy place and the law,

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus the Nazarean will destroy this place, and will change the rites which Moses delivered to you.

for we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow this place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;'

15 And all they who were sitting in the council looked upon him, and they beheld his face, as the face of an angel.

and gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.