1 Now in those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the native Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, »It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.«

5 And the statement pleased the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God increased; 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 grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9 Then 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, arose and disputed with Stephen.

10 But they could not stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

11 Then they secretly induced men to say, »We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.«

12 They stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came on him and seized him, and brought him before the council.

13 They put forward false witnesses who said, »This man never stops speaking against this holy place, and the law;

14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.«

15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.