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).

But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.

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.

And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to, said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.

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.

Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:

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

but we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

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.

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

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

whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

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.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

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.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.

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.

And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

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

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

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.

Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

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).

And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon they seized him and brought to the council.

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

And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law;

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.

for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught us.

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.

And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as face of an angel.