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.

About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Greek speaking Jews against the Aramaic speaking Jews, that 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.

The Twelve, therefore, called together the general body of the disciples and said to them, “It is not well for us to see to the distribution at the tables and neglect God’s message.

3 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.

Therefore, friends, look for seven men of reputation among yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;

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

while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the delivery of the message.”

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,

This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen – a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit – and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;

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

and they brought these men to the apostles, who, after praying, placed their 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.

So God’s message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the faith.

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

Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing 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.

But some members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

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

yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration 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 induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses, and against 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, as well as the elders and the teachers of the Law, and set on Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

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

There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. “This man,” they said, “is incessantly saying things against this 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.”

indeed, we have heard him declare that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the customs handed down to us by Moses.”

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

The eyes of all the members of the Council were riveted on Stephen, and they saw his face looking like the face of an angel.