1 I n those days the group of followers was getting larger. Greek-speaking Jews in the group complained against the Jews living in the country around Jerusalem. The Greek-speaking Jews said that their women whose husbands had died were not taken care of when the food was given out each day.

О Но не можаха да противостоят на мъдростта и Духа с който той говореше.

2 S o the twelve missionaries called a meeting of the many followers and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to hand out food.

По това, дванадесетте свикаха всичките ученици и рекоха: Не е добре ние да оставим Божието слово и да прислужваме на трапези.

3 B rothers, choose from among you seven men who are respected and who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will have them take care of this work.

И тъй, братя, изберете измежду вас седем души с удобрен характер, изпълнени с Духа и с мъдрост, които да поставим на тая работа.

4 T hen we will use all of our time to pray and to teach the Word of God.”

А ние ще постоянствуваме в молитвата и в служение на словото.

5 T hese words pleased all of them. They chose Stephen who was a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. They also chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicholas of Antioch who had become a Jew.

И това предложение се хареса на цялото множество; и избраха Стефана, мъж пълен с вяра и със Светия Дух, и Филипа, Прохора, Никанора, Тимона, Пармена и Николая, е д и н прозелит от Антиохия,

6 T hese men were taken to the missionaries. After praying, the missionaries laid their hands on them.

Тях поставиха пред апостолите; и те, като се помолиха, положиха ръце на тях.

7 T he Word of God spread further. The group of followers became much larger in Jerusalem. Many of the religious leaders believed in the faith of the Christians. Stephen Is Brought in Front of the Religious Leaders’ Court

И Божието учение растеше, и числото на учениците в Ерусалим се умножаваше твърде много; и голямо множество от свещениците се подчиняваха на вярата.

8 S tephen was a man full of faith and power. He did many great things among the people.

А Стефан, пълен с благодат и сила, вършеше големи чудеса и знамения между людете.

9 B ut some men came from their place of worship who were known as the Free people. They started to argue with Stephen. These men were from the countries of Cyrene and Alexandria and Cilicia and Asia.

Тогава някои от синагогата, наречена Синагога на Либертинците, и от Киринейците и Александринците, и от Киликия и Азия, подигнаха се и се препираха със Стефана.

10 S tephen spoke with wisdom and power given by the Holy Spirit. They were not able to say anything against what he said.

Но не можаха да противостоят на мъдростта и Духа, с който той говореше.

11 S o they told other men to say, “We have heard him say things against Moses and God.”

Тогава подучиха човеци да казват: Чухме го да говори хулни думи против Мойсея и против Бога.

12 I n this way they got the people talking against Stephen. The leaders of the people and the teachers of the Law came and took him to the religious leaders’ court.

И подбудиха людете със старейшините и книжниците, и, като дойдоха върху него, уловиха го и го докараха в синедриона,

13 T he people were told to lie and say, “This man keeps on talking against this place of worship and the Law of Moses.

дето поставиха лъжесвидетели, които казаха: Т о я човек говори думи против това свето място и против закона;

14 W e have heard him say, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is going to pull down this place. He is going to change what Moses taught us.’”

защото го чухме да казва, че тоя Исус Назарянин ще разруши това място, и ще измени обредите, които Моисей ни е предал.

15 T he men sitting in the religious leaders’ court were looking at Stephen. They all saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.

И всички, които седяха в синедриона, като се вгледаха в него, видяха лицето му като че беше лице на ангел.