| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1But as the believers 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. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2So 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. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Everyone 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). |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Stephen Is Arrested |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9But 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. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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