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).

Por aquellos días, al multiplicarse el número de los discípulos, surgió una queja de parte de los Judíos Helenistas en contra de los Judíos nativos, porque sus viudas eran desatendidas en la distribución diaria de los alimentos.

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.

Entonces los doce (apóstoles) convocaron a la congregación (multitud) de los discípulos, y dijeron: “No es conveniente que nosotros descuidemos la palabra de Dios para servir mesas.

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.

Por tanto, hermanos, escojan de entre ustedes siete hombres de buena reputación, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes podamos encargar esta tarea.

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

Y nosotros nos entregaremos a la oración y al ministerio (al servicio) de la palabra.”

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.

Lo propuesto tuvo la aprobación de toda la congregación, y escogieron a Esteban, un hombre lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, y a Felipe, a Prócoro, a Nicanor, a Timón, a Parmenas y a Nicolás, un prosélito (Gentil convertido al Judaísmo) de Antioquía.

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

A éstos los presentaron ante los apóstoles, y después de orar, pusieron sus manos sobre ellos.

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.

Y la palabra de Dios crecía, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba en gran manera en Jerusalén, y muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe. Arresto de Esteban y su Defensa

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.

Esteban, lleno de gracia y de poder, hacía grandes prodigios y señales (milagros) entre el pueblo.

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.

Pero algunos de la sinagoga llamada de los Libertos (Esclavos Libertados), incluyendo tanto Cireneos como Alejandrinos, y algunos de Cilicia y de Asia (provincia occidental de Asia Menor), se levantaron y discutían con Esteban.

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

Pero no podían resistir a la sabiduría y al Espíritu con que hablaba.

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.

Entonces, en secreto persuadieron a algunos hombres para que dijeran: “Le hemos oído hablar palabras blasfemas contra Moisés y contra Dios.”

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).

Y alborotaron al pueblo, a los ancianos y a los escribas, y cayendo sobre él, lo arrestaron y lo trajeron al Concilio (Sanedrín).

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

Presentaron testigos falsos que dijeron: “Este hombre continuamente habla en contra de este lugar santo y de la Ley;

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 le hemos oído decir que este Nazareno, Jesús, destruirá este lugar, y cambiará las tradiciones que Moisés nos dejó.”

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.

Y al fijar la mirada en él, todos los que estaban sentados en el Concilio (Sanedrín) vieron su rostro como el rostro de un ángel.