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.

En aquellos días, al aumentar el número de los discípulos, hubo murmuración de los griegos contra los hebreos, de que las viudas de aquéllos eran desatendidas en la distribución diaria.

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.

Entonces los doce convocaron a la multitud de los discípulos, y dijeron: No es conveniente que nosotros dejemos la palabra de Dios, para servir a las mesas.

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.

Buscad, pues, hermanos, de entre vosotros a siete varones de buen testimonio, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, a quienes encarguemos de este trabajo.

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

Y nosotros nos dedicaremos asiduamente a la oración y al ministerio de la palabra.

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.

Agradó la propuesta a toda la multitud; y eligieron a Esteban, varón lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, a Felipe, a Prócoro, a Nicanor, a Timón, a Pármenas, y a Nicolás prosélito de Antioquía;

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

a los cuales presentaron ante los apóstoles, quienes, después de orar, les impusieron las manos.

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

Y crecía la palabra del Señor, y el número de los discípulos se multiplicaba en gran manera en Jerusalén; también muchos de los sacerdotes obedecían a la fe. Arresto de Esteban

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

Y Esteban, lleno de gracia y de poder, hacía grandes prodigios y señales entre el pueblo.

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.

Entonces se levantaron unos de la sinagoga llamada de los Libertos, y de los de Cirene, de Alejandría, de Cilicia y de Asia, y disputaban con Esteban.

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

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

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

Entonces sobornaron a unos para que dijesen: Le hemos oído hablar palabras blasfemas contra Moisés y contra Dios.

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.

Y soliviantaron al pueblo, a los ancianos y a los escribas; y cayendo sobre él, le arrebataron, y le trajeron al sanedrín.

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.

Y presentaron testigos falsos que decían: Este hombre no cesa de hablar palabras contra este lugar santo y contra la ley;

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.’”

pues le hemos oído decir que ese Jesús de Nazaret destruirá este lugar, y cambiará las costumbres que nos legó Moisés.

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.

Entonces todos los que estaban sentados en el sanedrín, al fijar los ojos en él, vieron su rostro como el rostro de un ángel.