6:1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
6:1 Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.

6:2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
6:2 And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.

6:3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty.
6:3 Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task,

6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
6:4 while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word."

6:5 And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Proch'orus, and Nica'nor, and Ti'mon, and Par'menas, and Nicola'us, a proselyte of Antioch.
6:5 What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

6:6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.
6:6 They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

6:7 And 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.
6:7 The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

6:9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyre'nians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cili'cia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen.
6:9 Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen.

6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
6:10 But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

6:11 Then they secretly instigated men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
6:11 Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."

6:12 And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council,
6:12 They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council.

6:13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law;
6:13 They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law;

6:14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
6:14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us."

6:15 And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
6:15 And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.