1 N ow 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.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 S o 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.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 T herefore, 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.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 B ut we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 T he 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.

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

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

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 T he 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.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 B ut 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.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 B ut they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

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

Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12 A nd 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.

And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

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

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

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

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

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

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.