Acts 6

1 In those dayes as the nombre of the disciples grewe ther arose a grudge amonge the Grekes agaynst the Ebrues be cause their wyddowes were despysed in the dayly mynystracion.

About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Jews of foreign birth against the native Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to gether and sayde: it is not mete that we shuld leave the worde of God and serve at the 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 Wherfore brethren loke ye out amoge you seven men of honest reporte and full of the holy goost and wysdome which we maye apoynte to this nedfull busynes.

Therefore, Brothers, 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 will geve oure selves cotinually to prayer and to the ministracion of ye worde.

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

5 And the sayinge pleased the whoale multitude. And they chose Steven a man full of fayth and of the holy goost and Philip and Prochorus and Nichanor and Timon and Permenas and Nicholas a converte of Antioche.

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 Which they set before the Apostles and they prayed and layde their hondes on them.

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

7 And the worde of God encreased and the noubre of the disciples multiplied in Ierusalem greatly and a great company of the prestes were obedient to the faythe.

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 And Steven full of faythe and power dyd great wondres and myracles amoge ye people.

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

9 Then ther arose certayne of the synagoge which are called Lybertines and Syrenites and of Alexandria and of Cilicia and Asia and disputed with Steven.

But some members of the Synagogue known as that of Libertines, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

10 And they coulde not resist the wysdome and the sprete with which he spake.

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

11 Then sent they in men which sayd: we have hearde him speake blasphemous wordes agaynst Moses and agaynst God.

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

12 And they moved ye people and the elders and the scribes: and came apon him and caught him and brought him to the counsell

and they stirred up the people, as well as the Councillors and the Teachers of the Law, and set upon Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

13 and brought forth falce witnesses which sayde. This ma ceasith not to speake blasphemous wordes agaynst this holy place and the lawe:

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 hearde him saye: this Iesus of Nazareth shall destroye this place and shall chaunge the ordinaunces which Moses gave vs.

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 all that sate in ye counsell loked stedfastly on him and sawe his face as it had bene the face of an angell.

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