| New American Standard Bible 1995 | NET Bible |
| 1Now 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. | 1Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. |
| 2So 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. | 2So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. |
| 3"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. | 3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. |
| 4"But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." |
| 5The 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. | 5The proposal pleased the entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. |
| 6And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. | 6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them. |
| 7The 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. | 7The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. | 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. |
| 9But 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. | 9But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. |
| 10But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. | 10Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. |
| 11Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." | 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." |
| 12And 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. | 12They incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council. |
| 13They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; | 13They brought forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law. |
| 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." | 14For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." |
| 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. | 15All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
|
