New Living Translation

New King James Version

Seven Men Chosen to Serve

But as the believersa rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

1

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.

2

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.

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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And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

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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Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

4

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

5

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

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,

6

These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

6

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

7

So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

7

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.

8

Stephen Is Arrested

Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

8

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

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

9

But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia.

9

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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None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

10

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

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So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”

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

12

This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.b

12

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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The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.

13

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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We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazarethc will destroy the Temple 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.”

15

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

15

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

Parallel

New Living Translation

New King James Version

Acts 6

Acts 6