1 En aquellos días, como el número de discípulos aumentaba, los helenistas comenzaron a murmurar contra los hebreos porque se desatendían a sus viudas en la distribución diaria de los alimentos. | 1 In those days, as the number of disciples was increasing, there occurred a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were treated with disdain in the daily ministration. |
2 Entonces los Doce convocaron a todos los discípulos y les dijeron: «No es justo que descuidemos el ministerio de la Palabra de Dios para ocuparnos de servir las mesas. | 2 And so the twelve, calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: “It is not fair for us to leave behind the Word of God to serve at tables also. |
3 Es preferible, hermanos, que busquen entre ustedes a siete hombres de buena fama, llenos del Espíritu Santo y de sabiduría, y nosotros les encargaremos esta tarea. | 3 Therefore, brothers, search among yourselves for seven men of good testimony, filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom, whom we may appoint over this work. |
4 De esa manera, podremos dedicarnos a la oración y al ministerio de la Palabra». | 4 Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.” |
5 La asamblea aprobó esta propuesta y eligieron a Esteban, hombre lleno de fe y del Espíritu Santo, a Felipe y a Prócoro, a Nicanor y a Timón, a Pármenas y a Nicolás, prosélito de Antioquía. | 5 And the plan pleased the entire multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas, a new arrival from Antioch. |
6 Los presentaron a los Apóstoles, y estos, después de orar, les impusieron las manos. | 6 These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them. |
7 Así la Palabra de Dios se extendía cada vez más, el número de discípulos aumentaba considerablemente en Jerusalén y muchos sacerdotes abrazaban la fe. | 7 And the Word of the Lord was increasing, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly. And even a large group of the priests were obedient to the faith. |
8 Esteban, lleno de gracia y de poder, hacía grandes prodigios y signos en el pueblo. | 8 Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people. |
9 Algunos miembros de la sinagoga llamada «de los Libertos», como también otros, originarios de Cirene, de Alejandría, de Cilicia y de la provincia de Asia, se presentaron para discutir con él. | 9 But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen. |
10 Pero como no encontraban argumentos, frente a la sabiduría y al espíritu que se manifestaba en su palabra, | 10 But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. |
11 sobornaron a unos hombres para que dijeran que le habían oído blasfemar contra Moisés y contra Dios. | 11 Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God. |
12 Así consiguieron excitar al pueblo, a los ancianos y a los escribas, y llegando de improviso, lo arrestaron y lo llevaron ante el Sanedrín. | 12 And thus did they stir up the people and the elders and the scribes. And hurrying together, they seized him and brought him to the council. |
13 Entonces presentaron falsos testigos, que declararon: «Este hombre no hace otra cosa que hablar contra el Lugar santo y contra la Ley. | 13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: “This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law. |
14 Nosotros le hemos oído decir que Jesús de Nazaret destruirá este Lugar y cambiará las costumbres que nos ha transmitido Moisés». | 14 For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.” |
15 En ese momento, los que estaban sentados en el Sanedrín tenían los ojos clavados en él y vieron que el rostro de Esteban parecía el de un ángel. | 15 And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel. |