Acts 6

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

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, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve 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 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

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 give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

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

5 And the saying pleased the whole 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 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 when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

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

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to 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 And Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.

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

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

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 were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

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

11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] 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 came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

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 set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words 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 say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to 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 all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

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.