1AND in those days, when the number of disciples had increased, the Hel’len-ist converts murmured against the Hebrew converts because their widows were discriminated against in the daily distribution. 2So the twelve apostles called the whole multitude of the converts and said to them, It is not good that we should leave the word of God and serve food. 3Wherefore, brethren, examine and select from among you seven men of good repute who are full of the Spirit of the LORD and of wisdom, so that we may appoint them to this task. 4And we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5This suggestion pleased the whole people so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Proch’orus and Ni-ca’nor and Ti’mon and Par’menas and Nic’o-las, a proselyte of An’ti-och. 6These men stood before the apostles: who, as they prayed, laid their hands on them.

7And the word of God spread; and the number of the converts in Jerusalem increased greatly; and many people of Jewish faith became converts.

8Now Stephen was full of grace and power and did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9Then there arose certain men of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Lib'er-tines, and Cy-re’ni-ans and Al-exan’dri- ans and Ci-li’ci-ans and persons from Asia Minor, and they debated with Stephen. 10But they were unable to stand up against the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. 11Then they sent men and instructed them to say, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God. 12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they rose up against him and seized him and brought him into the midst of the council. 13And they appointed false witnesses who said, This man does not cease to speak against the law and against this holy land: 14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this country and shall change the customs which Moses entrusted to you. 15Then all who were seated at the council looked at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.