1 N ow about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief).

Ora, naqueles dias, crescendo o número dos discípulos, houve uma murmuração dos helenistas contra os hebreus, porque as viúvas daqueles estavam sendo esquecidas na distribuição diária.

2 S o the Twelve convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food.

E os doze, convocando a multidão dos discípulos, disseram: Não é razoável que nós deixemos a palavra de Deus e sirvamos

3 T herefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.

Escolhei, pois, irmãos, dentre vós, sete homens de boa reputação, cheios do Espírito Santo e de sabedoria, aos quais encarreguemos deste serviço.

4 B ut we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Mas nós perseveraremos na oração e no ministério da palavra.

5 A nd the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch.

O parecer agradou a todos, e elegeram a Estevão, homem cheio de fé e do Espírito Santo, Filipe, Prócoro, Nicanor, Timão, Pármenas, e Nicolau, prosélito de Antioquia,

6 T hese they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.

e os apresentaram perante os apóstolos; estes, tendo orado, lhes impuseram as mãos.

7 A nd the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

E divulgava-se a palavra de Deus, de sorte que se multiplicava muito o número dos discípulos em Jerusalém e muitos sacerdotes obedeciam ã fé.

8 N ow Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people.

Ora, Estêvão, cheio de graça e poder, fazia prodígios e grandes sinais entre o povo.

9 H owever, some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), as it was called, and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose to debate and dispute with Stephen.

Levantaram-se, porém, alguns que eram da sinagoga chamada dos libertos, dos cireneus, dos alexandrinos, dos da Cilícia e da Ásia, e disputavam com Estêvão;

10 B ut they were not able to resist the intelligence and the wisdom and the Spirit with which and by Whom he spoke.

e não podiam resistir ã sabedoria e ao Espírito com que falava.

11 S o they instigated and instructed men to say, We have heard this man speak, using slanderous and abusive and blasphemous language against Moses and God.

Então subornaram uns homens para que dissessem: Temo-lo ouvido proferir palavras blasfemas contra Moisés e contra Deus.

12 t hey incited the people as well as the elders and the scribes, and they came upon Stephen and arrested him and took him before the council (Sanhedrin).

Assim excitaram o povo, os anciãos, e os escribas; e investindo contra ele, o arrebataram e o levaram ao sinédrio;

13 A nd they brought forward false witnesses who asserted, This man never stops making statements against this sacred place and the Law;

e apresentaram falsas testemunhas que diziam: Este homem não cessa de proferir palavras contra este santo lugar e contra a lei;

14 F or we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down and destroy this place, and will alter the institutions and usages which Moses transmitted to us.

porque nós o temos ouvido dizer que esse Jesus, o nazareno, há de destruir este lugar e mudar os costumes que Moisés nos transmitiu.

15 T hen all who sat in the council (Sanhedrin), as they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel.

Então todos os que estavam assentados no sinédrio, fitando os olhos nele, viram o seu rosto como de um anjo.