Acts 6

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

At this time, when the number of believers was increasing rapidly, the Greek-speaking believers started arguing with the Aramaic-speaking believers. They complained that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

The twelve apostles called all the believers together, and told them, “It's not appropriate for us to give up spreading the word of God so we can wait at tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Brothers, choose from among you seven trustworthy men full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will hand this responsibility over to them.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

We ourselves will give our full attention to prayer and the ministry of spreading the word.”

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Everybody was happy with the arrangement, and they chose Stephen, (a man full of trust in God and of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus (originally a Jewish convert from Antioch).

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

These men were presented to the apostles who prayed for them and placed their hands on them in blessing.

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

The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased, with a large number of priests committing themselves to trusting in Jesus.

8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen, full of grace and God's power, performed wonderful miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

But some started arguing with him. They were from the synagogue called “the Free,” as well as Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia Minor.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

But they weren't able to stand against Stephen's wisdom or the Spirit with which he was speaking.

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

So they bribed some men to say, “We heard this man blaspheme Moses, and God too!”

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

They stirred up the people, and together with the elders and the teachers of the law, they came and arrested him. They brought him before the council,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

and called false witnesses who testified against him. “This man is always slandering the holy Temple and the law,” they said.

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

“We've heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple, and will change the laws we received from Moses.”

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Everyone sitting on the council looked closely at Stephen, and his face shone like the face of an angel.