| Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked 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. |
| 2The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on 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. |
| 3Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. | 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 devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” |
| 5This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert 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. |
| 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. | 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became 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. |
| 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. | 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and they began to argue 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. |
| 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. | 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. |
| 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." | 11Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” |
| 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. | 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 presented false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking 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 heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down 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 were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like 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 Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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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