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[1]Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service.
[2]Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.
[3]Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this need;
[4]but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.
[5]And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
[6]whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
[7]And the Word of God grew, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
[8]And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
[9]Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Libertines (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
[10]And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
[11]Then they secretly induced men to say, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.
[12]And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and led him into the council.
[13]They also set up false witnesses who said, This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the Law;
[14]for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.
[15]And all who sat in the council, gazing at him, saw his face as if it were the face of an angel.
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