Acts 6

1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

Now in those days, as the disciples were multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

So summoning the multitude of the disciples the twelve said: “It is not advantageous that we should forsake the Word of God to serve at tables.

3 Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this need.

4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.”

5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

The statement pleased the whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the emissaries. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

whom they set before the Apostles; and after praying they laid hands on them.

7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Well the Word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem kept multiplying at a great rate, and a large company of the priests were obeying the faith.

8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.

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

9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

10 They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

Then they instigated men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

And they stirred up the people, and the elders and the scribes; and coming upon him they seized him, and brought him in to the Sanhedrin;

13 and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah.

and they put forward false witnesses who said: “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against the holy place and the law;

14 For we have heard him say that this Yeshua of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Natsorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

All who sat in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.