| New King James Version | English Standard Version |
| 1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. | 1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. |
| 2Then 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. | 2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. |
| 3Therefore, 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; | 3Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. |
| 4but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” |
| 5And 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, | 5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. |
| 6whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. | 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7Then 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. | 7And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. | 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. | 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. |
| 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. | 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. |
| 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” | 11Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” |
| 12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. | 12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, |
| 13They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; | 13and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, |
| 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” | 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” |
| 15And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. | 15And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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