6:1 Now in these days, when the disciples were growing in number,¹ a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews² against the native Hebraic Jews,³ because their widows⁴ were being overlooked⁵ in the daily distribution of food.⁶ 6:2 So the twelve⁷ called⁸ the whole group⁹ of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables.¹⁰ 6:3 But carefully select from among you, brothers,¹¹ seven¹² men who are well-attested,¹³ full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge¹⁴ of this necessary task.¹⁵ 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 6:5 The¹⁶ proposal pleased the entire group, so¹⁷ they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with¹⁸ Philip,¹⁹ Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Jewish convert²⁰ from Antioch. 6:6 They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed²¹ and placed²² their hands on them. 6:7 The word of God continued to spread,²³ the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group²⁴ of priests became obedient to the faith.

6:8 Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs²⁵ among the people. 6:9 But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called),²⁶ both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and Asia,²⁷ stood up and argued with Stephen. 6:10 Yet²⁸ they were not able to resist²⁹ the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 6:11 Then they secretly instigated³⁰ some men to say, “We have heard this man³¹ speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 6:12 They incited the people, the³² elders, and the experts in the law;³³ then they approached Stephen,³⁴ seized him, and brought him before the council.³⁵ 6:13 They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy place³⁶ and the law.³⁷ 6:14 For we have heard him saying that Jesus of Nazareth³⁸ will destroy this place and change the customs³⁹ that Moses handed down to us.” 6:15 All⁴⁰ who were sitting in the council⁴¹ looked intently at Stephen⁴² and saw his face was like the face of an angel.⁴³