Acts 6
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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.1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
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.2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
3And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.3Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
4Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
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).5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.6They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
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 Arrested7So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
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.9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia--who began to argue with Stephen.
10None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.10But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.
11So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.”11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."
12This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
13The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
14We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
15At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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.New International Version (NIV)

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Acts 5
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