1 N ow in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

In 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.

2 T he twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

So 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.

3 T herefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Brothers, 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.

4 B ut we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

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

5 T hese words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

These 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.

6 w hom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

These men were taken to the missionaries. After praying, the missionaries laid their hands on them.

7 T he word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The 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

8 S tephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

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

9 B ut some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

But 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.

10 T hey weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

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

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

12 T hey stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,

In 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.

13 a nd set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

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

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

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

15 A ll who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

The men sitting in the religious leaders’ court were looking at Stephen. They all saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.