Acts 6

1 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,

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.

2 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;

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.

3 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,

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

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

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

5 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,

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,

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

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

7 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.

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.

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

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

9 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,

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.

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

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

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

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

12 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;

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

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

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

14 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;'

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.”

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

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