| New King James Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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; | 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. |
| 4but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” | 4"But 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, | 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. |
| 6whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. | 6And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they 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. | 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. |
| 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. | 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing 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. | 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. |
| 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. | 10But they were unable to cope with 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 induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against 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, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away 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; | 13They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks 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 Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us." |
| 15And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. | 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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 |
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