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,

Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

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;

So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve 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,

Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

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

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

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,

The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

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

And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

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.

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

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

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing 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,

But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen.

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

But they were unable to cope with 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.'

Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against 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;

And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.

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,

They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks 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;'

for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down 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.

And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.