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.

And in those days, when the disciples had become numerous, the Grecian disciples murmured against the Hebrew, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration to the needy.

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.

And the twelve legates convoked the whole company of the disciples, and said to them: It is not proper, that we should neglect the word of God, and serve tables.

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 brethren, search out, and elect from among you, seven men of whom there is good testimony, men full of the Spirit of the Lord, and of wisdom; that we may place them over this business:

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

and we will continue in prayer, and in the ministration of the word.

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,

And this proposal was acceptable before all the people. And they elected Stephen, a man who was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas an Antiochian proselyte.

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

These stood before the legates; and when they had prayed, they laid the hand 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.

And the word of God increased, and the number of disciples was enlarged at Jerusalem greatly; and many people from among the Jews, were obedient to the faith.

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

And Stephen was full of grace and energy; and he wrought signs and prodigies 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.

And there rose up some of the synagogue which is called that of the freed men, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and persons from Cilicia and from Asia; and they disputed with Stephen.

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

And they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit that spoke by him.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

Then they sent men, and instructed them to say: We have heard him speak words of blasphemy, 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 excited the people, and the Elders, and the Scribes; and they came, and rose upon him, and seized him, and carried him into the midst of the council.

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

And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to utter words contrary to the law, and against this holy place.

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.”

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus the Nazarean will destroy this place, and will change the rites which Moses delivered to you.

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

And all they who were sitting in the council looked upon him, and they beheld his face, as the face of an angel.