Actuum Apostolorum 6

1 In diebus illis, crescente numero discipulorum, factum est murmur Græcorum adversus Hebræos, eo quod despicerentur in ministerio quotidiano viduæ eorum.

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2 Convocantes autem duodecim multitudinem discipulorum, dixerunt: Non est æquum nos derelinquere verbum Dei, et ministrare mensis.

So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

3 Considerate ergo, fratres, viros ex vobis boni testimonii septem, plenos Spiritu Sancto et sapientia, quos constituamus super hoc opus.

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them

4 Nos vero orationi et ministerio verbi instantes erimus.

and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 Et placuit sermo coram omni multitudine. Et elegerunt Stephanum, virum plenum fide et Spiritu Sancto, et Philippum, et Prochorum, et Nicanorem, et Timonem, et Parmenam, et Nicolaum advenam Antiochenum.

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

6 Hos statuerunt ante conspectum Apostolorum: et orantes imposuerunt eis manus.

They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 Et verbum Domini crescebat, et multiplicabatur numerus discipulorum in Jerusalem valde: multa etiam turba sacerdotum obediebat fidei.

So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

8 Stephanus autem plenus gratia et fortitudine, faciebat prodigia et signa magna in populo.

Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Surrexerunt autem quidam de synagoga quæ appellatur Libertinorum, et Cyrenensium, et Alexandrinorum, et eorum qui erant a Cilicia, et Asia, disputantes cum Stephano:

But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen,

10 et non poterant resistere sapientiæ, et Spiritui qui loquebatur.

but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

11 Tunc summiserunt viros, qui dicerent se audivisse eum dicentem verba blasphemiæ in Moysen et in Deum.

Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

12 Commoverunt itaque plebem, et seniores, et scribas: et concurrentes rapuerunt eum, et adduxerunt in concilium,

So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin,

13 et statuerunt falsos testes, qui dicerent: Homo iste non cessat loqui verba adversus locum sanctum, et legem:

where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

14 audivimus enim eum dicentem quoniam Jesus Nazarenus hic destruet locum istum, et mutabit traditiones quas tradidit nobis Moyses.

For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

15 Et intuentes eum omnes qui sedebant in concilio, viderunt faciem ejus tamquam faciem angeli.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.