Shared Word Translation
Acts 6
Seven Chosen to Serve
Now in these days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
And the twelve, summoning the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not pleasing for us to neglect the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this need.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
And the word pleased the whole multitude, and they chose 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. These they set before the apostles, and having prayed, they laid hands on them.
And the word of God was increasing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplying greatly, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. But some of those from the synagogue called that of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”
And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and coming upon him, they seized him and brought him to the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
And all those sitting in the council, looking intently at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.