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.

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

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.

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

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.

Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

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

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

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.

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

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

whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

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

Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

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

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

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.

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

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.’”

for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

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.

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