1 B ut 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.

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

2 A nd 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.

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

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

Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

4 b ut we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

5 A nd 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,

The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

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

And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

7 A nd 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.

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

8 A nd Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.

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

9 A nd 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.

But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

10 A nd they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

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

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

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

And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.

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

They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law;

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

for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

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

And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.