Acts of the Apostles 6

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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.	1 At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
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.	2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
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.	3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task,
4 Yet truly, we will be continually in prayer and in the ministry of the Word.”	4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
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.	5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
6 These they set before the sight of the Apostles, and while praying, they imposed hands on them.	6 They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.
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.	7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
8 Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people.	8 Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
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.	9 Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen,
10 But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.	10 but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
11 Then they suborned men who were to claim that they had heard him speaking words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.	11 Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God."
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.	12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
13 And they set up false witnesses, who said: “This man does not cease to speak words against the holy place and the law.	13 They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against (this) holy place and the law.
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.”	14 For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."
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.	15 All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.