New International Version

New King James Version

The Choosing of the Seven

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jewsa among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

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Seven Chosen to Serve

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,[a] because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

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So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

2

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

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Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

3

Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

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and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

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but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

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This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

5

And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

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They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

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whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

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So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

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Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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Stephen Seized

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

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Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

And Stephen, full of [b]faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

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Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) — Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia — who began to argue with Stephen.

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Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

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But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

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And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

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

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So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

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And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

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They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

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They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak [c]blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

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For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

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

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All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

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And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Parallel

New International Version

New King James Version

Acts 6

Acts 6