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, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration.

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.

So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables.

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, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

But, as for us, we 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:

The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon 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.

Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many priests obeyed the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels 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 so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate.

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

They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the Spirit 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 privately put forward men who declared, "We have heard him speak 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,

In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin.

13 And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, "This fellow is incessantly speaking against the 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.

For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us."

15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel.