1 A nd in these days, the disciples multiplying, there came a murmuring of the Hellenists at the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily ministration,

2 a nd the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, `It is not pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables;

3 l ook out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,

4 a nd we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.'

5 A nd the thing was pleasing before all the multitude, and they did choose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

6 w hom they did set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid on them hands.

7 A nd the word of God did increase, and the number of the disciples did multiply in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8 A nd Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people,

9 a nd there arose certain of those of the synagogue, called of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia, disputing with Stephen,

10 a nd they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking;

11 t hen they suborned men, saying -- `We have heard him speaking evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.'

12 T hey did stir up also the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come upon, they caught him, and brought to the sanhedrim;

13 t hey set up also false witnesses, saying, `This one doth not cease to speak evil sayings against this holy place and the law,

14 f or we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow this place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;'

15 a nd gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.