1 N aqueles dias, crescendo o número de discípulos, os judeus de fala grega entre eles queixaram-se dos judeus de fala hebraica, porque suas viúvas estavam sendo esquecidas na distribuição diária de alimento.

Now about this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief).

2 P or isso os Doze reuniram todos os discípulos e disseram: “Não é certo negligenciarmos o ministério da palavra de Deus, a fim de servir às mesas.

So the Twelve convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food.

3 I rmãos, escolham entre vocês sete homens de bom testemunho, cheios do Espírito e de sabedoria. Passaremos a eles essa tarefa

Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.

4 e nos dedicaremos à oração e ao ministério da palavra”.

But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

5 T al proposta agradou a todos. Então escolheram Estêvão, homem cheio de fé e do Espírito Santo, além de Filipe, Prócoro, Nicanor, Timom, Pármenas e Nicolau, um convertido ao judaísmo, proveniente de Antioquia.

And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch.

6 A presentaram esses homens aos apóstolos, os quais oraram e lhes impuseram as mãos.

These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.

7 A ssim, a palavra de Deus se espalhava. Crescia rapidamente o número de discípulos em Jerusalém; também um grande número de sacerdotes obedecia à fé. A Prisão de Estêvão

And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 E stêvão, homem cheio da graça e do poder de Deus, realizava grandes maravilhas e sinais entre o povo.

Now Stephen, full of grace (divine blessing and favor) and power (strength and ability) worked great wonders and signs (miracles) among the people.

9 C ontudo, levantou-se oposição dos membros da chamada sinagoga dos Libertos, dos judeus de Cirene e de Alexandria, bem como das províncias da Cilícia e da Ásia. Esses homens começaram a discutir com Estêvão,

However, some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (freed Jewish slaves), as it was called, and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose to debate and dispute with Stephen.

10 m as não podiam resistir à sabedoria e ao Espírito com que ele falava.

But they were not able to resist the intelligence and the wisdom and the Spirit with which and by Whom he spoke.

11 E ntão subornaram alguns homens para dizerem: “Ouvimos Estêvão falar palavras blasfemas contra Moisés e contra Deus”.

So they instigated and instructed men to say, We have heard this man speak, using slanderous and abusive and blasphemous language against Moses and God.

12 C om isso agitaram o povo, os líderes religiosos e os mestres da lei. E, prendendo Estêvão, levaram-no ao Sinédrio.

they incited the people as well as the elders and the scribes, and they came upon Stephen and arrested him and took him before the council (Sanhedrin).

13 A li apresentaram falsas testemunhas que diziam: “Este homem não pára de falar contra este lugar santo e contra a Lei.

And they brought forward false witnesses who asserted, This man never stops making statements against this sacred place and the Law;

14 P ois o ouvimos dizer que esse Jesus, o Nazareno, destruirá este lugar e mudará os costumes que Moisés nos deixou”.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down and destroy this place, and will alter the institutions and usages which Moses transmitted to us.

15 O lhando para ele, todos os que estavam sentados no Sinédrio viram que o seu rosto parecia o rosto de um anjo.

Then all who sat in the council (Sanhedrin), as they gazed intently at Stephen, saw that his face had the appearance of the face of an angel.