Acts 6

1 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually 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 So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables.

So the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty.

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

4 But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message."

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

5 The suggestion met with general approval, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

And these words pleased the whole gathering. They chose Astapanos, a man full of faith and of the Rukha d'Qudsha, Philipus, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

6 These men they brought to the Apostles, and, after prayer, they laid their hands upon them.

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

7 Meanwhile God's Message continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem very greatly increased, and very many priests obeyed the faith.

The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Urishlim; and a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great marvels and signs among the people.

Astapanos, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

9 But some members of the so-called 'Synagogue of the Freed-men,' together with some Cyrenaeans, Alexandrians, Cilicians and men from Roman Asia, were roused to encounter Stephen in debate.

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 Astapanos.

10 They were quite unable, however, to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Rukha by which he spoke.

11 Then they privately put forward men who declared, "We have heard him speak blasphemous things against Moses and against God."

Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Mushe and God."

12 In this way they excited the people, the Elders, and the Scribes. At length they came upon him, seized him with violence, and took him before the Sanhedrin.

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

13 Here they brought forward false witnesses who declared, "This fellow is incessantly speaking against the 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 say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us."

For we have heard him say that this Yeshua the Natsraya will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Mushe delivered to us."

15 At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel.

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