1Now in these days, when the disciples are multiplying, there arose a grumbling of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.
2Then the Twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, It is not desirable for us, having neglected the word of God, to attend at tables.
3Therefore, brothers, select from among yourselves seven men, well attested, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this task;
4now we ourselves will steadfastly continue in the prayer and in the ministry of the word.
5And the statement pleased before all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of trust and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a convert of Antioch,
6whom they set before the sent ones, and having prayed, they laid the hands on them.
7And the word of God was increasing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly, then a great multitude of the priests were becoming obedient to the trust.
8Now Stephen, full of favor and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
9But there arose certain of those from the synagogue which is named of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen;
10and they were not able to withstand against the wisdom and against the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
11Then they suborned men saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God;
12then they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and having come upon him, they seized him and brought him to the Council,
13they also set false witnesses saying, This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
14for we have heard him saying that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.
15And all those sitting in the Council, having looked intently on him, saw his face as the face of a messenger.