Actuum Apostolorum 6

1 In diebus illis, crescente numero discipulorum, factum est murmur Graecorum adversus Hebraeos, eo quod despicerentur in ministerio quotidiano viduae eorum.

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

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 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 of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this need.

4 Nos vero orationi, et ministerio verbi instantes erimus.

But we will give ourselves continually 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 et non poterant resistere sapientiae, et Spiritui, qui loquebatur.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Et intuentes eum omnes, qui sedebant in concilio, viderunt faciem eius tanquam faciem Angeli.

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