| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. | 1In those days, as the number of the disciples was growing larger and larger, a complaint was made by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. |
| 2So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. | 2So the Twelve called the whole group of disciples together and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect messages from God in order to wait on tables. |
| 3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. | 3Therefore, brothers, appoint seven men among you who have a good reputation, who are full of the Spirit and wisdom, and we'll put them in charge of this work. |
| 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." | 4Then we'll devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." |
| 5The proposal pleased the entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. | 5This suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. |
| 6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them. | 6They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. | 7So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem continued to grow rapidly. Even a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. | 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. | 9But some men who belonged to the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), as well as some Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and began to debate with Stephen. |
| 10Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. | 10But they could neither refute the wisdom nor withstand the Spirit by which he kept speaking. |
| 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." | 11So they secretly got some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." |
| 12They incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council. | 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. Then they rushed at Stephen, grabbed him, and brought him before the Council. |
| 13They brought forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law. | 13They had false witnesses stand up and say, "This man never stops saying things against this Holy Place and against the Law. |
| 14For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." | 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." |
| 15All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel. | 15Then everyone who was seated in the Council glared at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. |
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