| King James Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. | 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. |
| 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve 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. |
| 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. | 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 give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. | 4But 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 of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of 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. |
| 6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. | 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were 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. |
| 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. | 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing 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. |
| 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. | 10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. |
| 11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. | 11Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” |
| 12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, | 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, |
| 13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words 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 have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered 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 that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been 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. |
| King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | 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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