1 T he head religious leader asked Stephen, “Are these things true?”

El sumo sacerdote dijo: “¿Es esto así?”

2 S tephen said, “My brothers and fathers, listen to me. The great God showed Himself to our early father Abraham while he lived in the country of Mesopotamia. This was before he moved to the country of Haran.

Esteban respondió: “Escúchen me, hermanos y padres. El Dios de gloria apareció a nuestro padre Abraham cuando estaba en Mesopotamia, antes que habitara en Harán,

3 G od said to him, ‘Leave your family and this land where you were born. Go to a land that I will show you.’

y le dijo: ‘ Sal de tu tierra y de tu familia, y ve a la tierra que Yo te mostrare.’

4 H e went from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. After his father died, he came to this country where you now live.

“Entonces Abraham salió de la tierra de los Caldeos y se estableció en Harán. Y de allí, después de la muerte de su padre, Dios lo trasladó a esta tierra en la cual ahora ustedes habitan.

5 G od did not give him any land to own, not even enough to put his feet on. But He promised that the land would be his and his children’s after him. At that time he had no children.

No le dio en ella heredad, ni siquiera la medida de la planta del pie, y sin embargo, aunque no tenía hijo, prometió que se la daria en posesion a el y a su descendencia despues de el.

6 T his is what God said, ‘Your children’s children will be living in a strange land. They will live there 400 years. They will be made to work without pay and will suffer many hard things.

Y Dios dijo así: ‘ Que sus descendientes serian extranjeros en una tierra extraña, y que serian esclavizados y maltratados por 400 años.

7 I will say to that nation that it is guilty for holding them and making them work without pay. After that they will go free. They will leave that country and worship Me in this place.’

‘ Pero Yo mismo juzgare a cualquier nacion de la cual sean esclavos,’ dijo Dios ‘ y despues de eso saldran y Me serviran (adoraran) en este lugar.’

8 “ He made a promise with Abraham. It was kept by a religious act of becoming a Jew. Abraham had a son, Isaac. On the eighth day Abraham took Isaac and had this religious act done to him. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of our twelve early fathers.

Dios le dio el pacto de la circuncisión; y así Abraham vino a ser el padre de Isaac, y lo circuncidó al octavo día; e Isaac vino a ser el padre de Jacob, y Jacob de los doce patriarcas.

9 “ The sons of Jacob sold Joseph to people from the country of Egypt because they were jealous of him. But God was with Joseph.

“Los patriarcas tuvieron envidia de José y lo vendieron para Egipto. Pero Dios estaba con él,

10 H e helped him in all his troubles. He gave him wisdom and favor with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This king made Joseph leader over Egypt and over all the king’s house.

y lo rescató de todas sus aflicciones. Le dio gracia y sabiduría delante de Faraón, rey de Egipto, y éste lo puso por gobernador sobre Egipto y sobre toda su casa.

11 “ The time came when there was no food to eat in all the land of Egypt and Canaan. The people suffered much. Our early fathers were not able to get food.

“Entonces vino hambre sobre todo Egipto y Canaán, y con ella gran aflicción, y nuestros padres (antepasados) no hallaban alimentos.

12 T hen Jacob heard there was food in Egypt. He sent our early fathers there the first time.

Pero cuando Jacob supo que había grano en Egipto, envió a nuestros padres allá la primera vez.

13 “ The second time they went to the country of Egypt, Joseph made himself known to his brothers. The family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh.

En la segunda visita, José se dio a conocer a sus hermanos, y conoció Faraón la familia de José.

14 J oseph asked his father Jacob and all his family to come. There were seventy-five people in the family.

José, enviando mensaje, mandó llamar a Jacob su padre y a toda su familia, en total setenta y cinco personas.

15 J acob moved down to Egypt and died there. Our early fathers died there also.

“Y Jacob descendió a Egipto, y allí murió él y también nuestros padres.

16 T hey were brought back to the city of Shechem where they were buried. Abraham paid money for the grave from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. Stephen Speaks about the God of Moses

De allí fueron trasladados a Siquem, y puestos en el sepulcro que por una suma de dinero había comprado Abraham a los hijos de Hamor en Siquem.

17 “ The promise God had given Abraham was about to happen. At this time many more of our people were in the country of Egypt.

“Pero a medida que se acercaba el tiempo de la promesa que Dios había confirmado a Abraham, el pueblo crecía y se multiplicaba en Egipto,

18 T hen another man became king in Egypt. He was a king who did not know Joseph.

hasta que surgio otro rey en Egipto que no sabia nada de Jose.

19 H e was hard on our people and nation. He worked against our early fathers. He made them put their babies outside so they would die.

Este rey, obrando con astucia contra nuestro pueblo, maltrató a nuestros padres, a fin de que expusieran a la muerte a sus niños para que no vivieran.

20 “ At that time Moses was born. He was beautiful in God’s sight. He was fed in his father’s house for three months.

“Fue por ese tiempo que Moisés nació. Era hermoso a la vista de Dios, y fue criado por tres meses en la casa de su padre.

21 T hen he was put outside. Pharaoh’s daughter took him and cared for him as her own son.

Después de ser abandonado para morir, la hija de Faraón se lo llevó y lo crió como su propio hijo.

22 M oses was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He became a powerful man in words and in the things he did.

Moisés fue instruido en toda la sabiduría de los Egipcios, y era un hombre poderoso en palabras y en hechos.

23 W hen he was forty years old, he thought he should visit his brothers, the Jews.

Pero cuando iba a cumplir la edad de cuarenta años, sintió en su corazón el deseo de visitar a sus hermanos, los Israelitas.

24 H e saw one of the Jews being hurt. Moses helped the Jew and killed the man from Egypt.

Al ver que uno de ellos era tratado injustamente, lo defendió y vengó al oprimido, matando al Egipcio.

25 H e thought his people would understand. He thought they knew God would let them go free by his help. But the people did not understand.

Pensaba que sus hermanos entendían que Dios les estaba dando libertad (salvación) por medio de él, pero ellos no entendieron.

26 “ The next day Moses came to some Jews who were fighting. He tried to get them to stop. Moses said to the Jews, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you hurt each other?’

“Al día siguiente se les presentó, cuando dos de ellos reñían, y trató de poner paz entre ellos, diciendo: ‘Varones, ustedes son hermanos, ¿por qué se hieren el uno al otro ?’

27 O ne was beating his neighbor. He pushed Moses away and said, ‘Who made you a leader over us? Who said you could say who is guilty?

Pero el que estaba hiriendo a su prójimo lo empujó, diciendo: ‘¿ Quien te ha puesto por gobernante y juez sobre nosotros ?

28 D o you want to kill me as you killed the man from Egypt yesterday?’

¿ Acaso quieres matarme como mataste ayer al egipcio ?’

29 W hen Moses heard that, he went as fast as he could to the country of Midian where he was a stranger. While he was there, he became the father of two sons.

Al oír estas palabras, Moises huyo y se convirtio en extranjero en la tierra de Madian, donde fue padre de dos hijos.

30 F orty years passed and Moses was near Mount Sinai where no people live. There he saw an angel in the fire of a burning bush.

“Pasados cuarenta años, se le aparecio un angel en el desierto del monte Sinaí, en la llama de una zarza que ardia.

31 H e was surprised and wondered when he saw it. He went up close to see it better. Then he heard the voice of the Lord speak to him.

Al ver esto, Moisés se maravillaba de la visión, y al acercarse para ver mejor, vino a él la voz del Señor:

32 ‘ I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ Moses shook! He was so afraid he did not look at the bush.

‘ Yo soy el Dios de tus padres, el Dios de Abraham, de Isaac, y de Jacob.’ Moisés temblando, no se atrevía a mirar.

33 “ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take your shoes off your feet! The place where you are standing is holy ground.

“ Pero el Señor le dijo: ‘Quitate las sandalias de los pies, porque el lugar donde estas es tierra santa.

34 I have seen My people suffer in the country of Egypt and I have heard their cries. I have come down to let them go free. So come now, I will send you back to Egypt.’

Ciertamente he visto la opresion de Mi pueblo en Egipto y he oido sus gemidos, y he descendido para librarlos; ven ahora y te enviare a Egipto.’

35 “ The people had put Moses aside. They said, ‘Who made you a leader over us? Who said you are the one to say what is right or wrong?’ But God made this man a leader. Moses was the one who brought them out of the country of Egypt. This was done by the help of the angel who was in the burning bush.

Este Moisés, a quien ellos rechazaron, diciendo: ‘¿ Quien te ha puesto por gobernante y juez ?’ es el mismo que Dios envió para ser gobernante y libertador con la ayuda del ángel que se le apareció en la zarza.

36 T his man led them. He did powerful works in Egypt and at the Red Sea. For forty years he led them in the desert.

Este hombre los sacó, haciendo prodigios y señales (milagros) en la tierra de Egipto, en el Mar Rojo y en el desierto por cuarenta años.

37 “ Moses said to the Jews, ‘God will give you one who speaks for Him like me from among your brothers.’

“Este es el mismo Moisés que dijo a los Israelitas: ‘ Dios les levantara un profeta como yo de entre sus hermanos.’

38 T his is the man who was with the Jewish nation in the desert. The angel talked to him on Mount Sinai. Moses told it to our early fathers. He also received the living Words of God to give to us.

Este es el que estaba en la congregación en el desierto junto con el ángel que le hablaba en el Monte Sinaí, y con nuestros padres, y el que recibió palabras de vida (oráculos divinos) para transmitirlas a ustedes,

39 “ Our early fathers would not listen to him. They did not obey him. In their hearts they wanted to go back to the country of Egypt.

al cual nuestros padres no quisieron obedecer, sino que lo repudiaron, y en sus corazones desearon regresar a Egipto,

40 T hey said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us. We do not know what has happened to this Moses who led us out of Egypt.’

diciendo a Aaron: ‘Haznos dioses que vayan delante de nosotros, porque a este Moises que nos saco de la tierra de Egipto, no sabemos lo que le haya pasado.’

41 “ In those days they made a calf of gold. They put gifts down in front of their god in worship. They were happy with what they had made with their hands.

“En aquellos días hicieron un becerro y ofrecieron sacrificio al ídolo, y se regocijaban en las obras de sus manos.

42 B ut God turned from them and let them worship the stars of heaven. This is written in the book of the early preachers, ‘Nation of Jews, was it to Me you gave gifts of sheep and cattle on the altar for forty years in the desert?

Pero Dios se apartó de ellos y los entregó para que sirvieran (adoraran) al ejército del cielo (los cuerpos celestes), como está escrito en el libro de los profetas: ‘¿ Acaso fue a Mi a quien ofrecieron victimas y sacrificios en el desierto por cuarenta años, casa de Israel ?

43 N o, you set up the tent to worship the god of Molock and the star of your god Rompha. You made gods to worship them. I will carry you away to the other side of the country of Babylon.’ The Place of Worship and the House of God

Tambien llevaron el tabernaculo de Moloc, y la estrella del dios Renfan, las imagenes que hicieron para adorarlas. Yo tambien los deportare mas alla de Babilonia.’

44 “ Our early fathers had the tent to worship in. They used it in the desert. God told Moses to make it like the plan which he had seen.

“Nuestros padres tuvieron el tabernáculo del testimonio en el desierto, tal como le había ordenado que lo hiciera el que habló a Moisés, conforme al modelo que había visto.

45 T his was received by our early fathers. They brought it here when they won the wars with the people who were not Jews. It was when Joshua was our leader. God made those people leave as our early fathers took the land. The tent was here until the time of David.

A su vez, habiéndolo recibido, nuestros padres lo introdujeron con Josué al tomar posesión de las naciones (los Gentiles) que Dios arrojó de delante de nuestros padres, hasta los días de David.

46 D avid pleased God and wanted to build a house for worship for the God of Jacob.

Y David halló gracia delante de Dios, y pidió el favor de hallar una morada para el Dios de Jacob.

47 B ut Solomon was the one who built the house of God for Him.

Pero fue Salomón quien Le edificó una casa.

48 B ut the Most High does not live in buildings made by hands. The early preacher said,

“Sin embargo, el Altísimo no habita en casas hechas por manos de hombres; como dice el profeta:

49 ’ Heaven is the place where I sit and the earth is the place where I rest My feet. What house will you build Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is My place of rest?

‘ El cielo es Mi trono, y la tierra el estrado de Mis pies; ¿ que casa Me edificaran ?’ dice el Señor, ‘¿ O cual es el lugar de Mi reposo ?

50 D id not My hands make all these things?’ The Jews Are Hurt

¿ No fue Mi mano la que hizo todas estas cosas ?’

51 “ You have hard hearts and ears that will not listen to me! You are always working against the Holy Spirit. Your early fathers did. You do too.

“Ustedes, que son tercos e incircuncisos de corazón y de oídos, resisten siempre al Espíritu Santo; como hicieron sus padres, así hacen también ustedes.

52 W hich of the early preachers was not beaten and hurt by your early fathers? They killed those who told of the coming of the One Right with God. Now you have handed Him over and killed Him.

¿A cuál de los profetas no persiguieron sus padres ? Ellos mataron a los que antes habían anunciado la venida del Justo, del cual ahora ustedes se hicieron traidores y asesinos;

53 Y ou had the Law given to you by angels. Yet you have not kept it.” Stephen Is Killed

ustedes que recibieron la ley por disposición de ángeles y sin embargo no la guardaron.” Martirio de Esteban

54 T he Jews and religious leaders listened to Stephen. Then they became angry and began to grind their teeth at him.

Al oír esto, se sintieron profundamente ofendidos, y crujían los dientes contra él.

55 H e was filled with the Holy Spirit. As he looked up to heaven, he saw the shining-greatness of God and Jesus standing at the right side of God.

Pero Esteban, lleno del Espíritu Santo, fijos los ojos en el cielo, vio la gloria de Dios y a Jesús de pie a la diestra de Dios;

56 H e said, “See! I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”

y dijo: “Veo los cielos abiertos, y al Hijo del Hombre de pie a la diestra de Dios.”

57 T hey cried out with loud voices. They put their hands over their ears and they all pushed on him.

Entonces ellos gritaron a gran voz, y tapándose los oídos se lanzaron a una contra él.

58 T hen they took him out of the city and threw stones at him. The men who were throwing the stones laid their coats down in front of a young man named Saul.

Echándolo fuera de la ciudad, comenzaron a apedrearlo; y los testigos pusieron sus mantos a los pies de un joven llamado Saulo (Pablo).

59 W hile they threw stones at Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

Y mientras lo apedreaban, Esteban invocaba al Señor y decía: “Señor Jesús, recibe mi espíritu.”

60 A fter that he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

Cayendo de rodillas, clamó en alta voz: “Señor, no les tomes en cuenta este pecado.” Habiendo dicho esto, durmió (expiró).