Acts 6:3-13 in English

³ Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaüs a proselyte of Antioch;

⁶ whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

⁹ But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:

³ Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

⁶ Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

¹³ And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

³ Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

⁶ whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

⁹ But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:

³ So, fellow believers, carefully choose seven men from among you, men whom you know that the Spirit of God controls completely and who are very wise. Then we (exc) will appoint them to do this work,

⁴ and we (exc) will devote our time to pray and to preach and teach the message about Jesus.”

⁵ What the apostles recommended pleased all of the other believers. So they group chose Stephen. He was a man who strongly believed in God and whom the Holy Spirit controlled completely. They also chose Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas who was from Antioch city. Nicolas had accepted the Jewish religion before he had believed in Jesus.

⁶ They brought these seven men to the apostles. Then after the apostles prayed for those men, they placed their hands on the heads of each one of them to appoint them to do that work.

⁷ So the believers continued to tell many people the message from God. ◄The number of people in Jerusalem who believed in Jesus was increasing greatly./More and more people in Jerusalem were believing in Jesus.► Among them were many Jewish priests who were believing the message about Jesus.

⁸ God was enabling Stephen to do many things by God's power. He was doing many amazing miracles among the Jewish people.

⁹ However, some people opposed Stephen. They were Jews from a group that regularly met together in a Jewish meeting place that was { that people} called the Freedmen's Meeting Place. Those people were from Cyrene and Alexandria cities and also from Cilicia and Asia provinces. They all began to argue with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they were not able ◄to refute what he said/to prove that what he said was wrong►, because God's Spirit enabled him to speak very wisely.

¹¹ Then that group secretly persuaded some men to falsely accuse Stephen. saying, “We (exc) heard him say bad things about Moses and God.”

¹² So, by saying that, they made the other Jewish people angry at Stephen, including the elders and the teachers of the Jewish laws. Then they all seized Stephen and took him to the Jewish Council.

¹³ They also brought in some other men who accused Stephen falsely about several things. They said, “This fellow continually says bad things about this holy Temple and about the laws that Moses received from God.

³ Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

³ Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

³ Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

³ Take then from among you seven men of good name, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, to whom we may give control of this business.

⁴ Then we will give all our time to prayer and the teaching of the word.

⁵ And this saying was pleasing to all of them: and they made selection of Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolas of Antioch, who had become a Jew:

⁶ These they took to the Apostles, who, after prayer, put their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God was increasing in power; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem became very great, and a great number of priests were in agreement with the faith.

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

⁹ But some of those who were of the Synagogue named that of the Libertines, and some of the men of Cyrene and of Alexandria and those from Cilicia and Asia, had arguments with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they were not able to get the better of him, for his words were full of wisdom and of the Spirit.

¹¹ Then they got men to say, He has said evil against Moses and against God, in our hearing.

¹² And the people, with the rulers and the scribes, were moved against him, and they came and took him before the Sanhedrin,

¹³ And they got false witnesses who said, This man is for ever saying things against this holy place and against the law:

³ Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:

⁴ but we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

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

⁹ And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

¹² And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon him they seized him and brought him to the council.

¹³ And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law;

³ Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

⁶ These they set before the apostles; and they praying, imposed hands upon them.

⁷ And the word of the Lord increased; and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: a great multitude also of the priests obeyed the faith.

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

⁹ Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.

¹¹ Then they suborned men to say, they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running together, they took him, and brought him to the council.

¹³ And they set up false witnesses, who said: This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law.

³ Therefore, brothers, select seven men from among you, of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint for this need.

⁴ But we will faithfully engage in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the word was pleasing before all the congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God was growing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied exceedingly, and a great many of the priests were obeying the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But there arose some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, both of the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, debating with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

¹² And they aroused the people and the elders and the scribes; and coming upon him, they seized him, and led him to the council.

¹³ And they put forward false witnesses saying, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

³ Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this need.

⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.”

⁵ The statement pleased the whole multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicholas, a proselyte from Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the Apostles; and after praying they laid hands on them.

⁷ Well the Word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem kept multiplying at a great rate, and a large company of the priests were obeying the faith.

⁸ While Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they instigated men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders and the scribes; and coming upon him they seized him, and brought him in to the Sanhedrin;

¹³ and they put forward false witnesses who said: “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against the holy place and the law;

³ Brothers, choose from among you seven trustworthy men full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will hand this responsibility over to them.

⁴ We ourselves will give our full attention to prayer and the ministry of spreading the word.”

⁵ Everybody was happy with the arrangement, and they chose Stephen, (a man full of trust in God and of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus (originally a Jewish convert from Antioch).

⁶ These men were presented to the apostles who prayed for them and placed their hands on them in blessing.

⁷ The word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased, with a large number of priests committing themselves to trusting in Jesus.

⁸ Stephen, full of grace and God's power, performed wonderful miracles among the people.

⁹ But some started arguing with him. They were from the synagogue called “the Free,” as well as Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia Minor.

¹⁰ But they weren't able to stand against Stephen's wisdom or the Spirit with which he was speaking.

¹¹ So they bribed some men to say, “We heard this man blaspheme Moses, and God too!”

¹² They stirred up the people, and together with the elders and the teachers of the law, they came and arrested him. They brought him before the council,

¹³ and called false witnesses who testified against him. “This man is always slandering the holy Temple and the law,” they said.

³ Wherefore brethren, looke ye out among you seuen men of honest report, and full of the holy Ghost, and of wisedome, which we may appoint to this busines.

⁴ And we will giue our selues continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the worde.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steuen a man full of fayth and of the holy Ghost, and Philippe, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a Proselyte of Antiochia,

⁶ Which they set before the Apostles: and they prayed, and layed their hands on them.

⁷ And the worde of God increased, and the nomber of the disciples was multipled in Hierusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Now Steuen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then there arose certaine of the Synagogue, which are called Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of Alexandria, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, and disputed with Steuen.

¹⁰ But they were not able to resist the wisdome, and the Spirit by the which he spake.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, which saide, We haue heard him speake blasphemous wordes against Moses, and God.

¹² Thus they mooued the people and the Elders, and the Scribes: and running vpon him, caught him, and brought him to the Councill,

¹³ And set forth false witnesses, which sayd, This man ceasseth not to speake blasphemous wordes against this holy place, and the Law.

³ Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

⁶ whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

³ Therefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business;

⁴ but we will give ourselves closely to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And what was said pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was greatly enlarged; and a great multitude of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

⁹ But some of those who belonged to the so-called synagogue of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenaeans and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen;

¹⁰ and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the Law.

³ Therefore, friends, look for seven men of reputation amongst yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;

⁴ while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the delivery of the message.”

⁵ This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen — a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit — and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;

⁶ and they brought these men to the apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

⁷ So God's message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the faith.

⁸ Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing great wonders and signs amongst the people.

⁹ But some members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

¹⁰ yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses, and against God;

¹² and they stirred up the people, as well as the elders and the teachers of the Law, and set on Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

¹³ There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. “This man,” they said, “is incessantly saying things against this Holy place and the Law;

³ Therefore, friends, look for seven men of reputation among yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;

⁴ while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the delivery of the message.”

⁵ This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen — a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit — and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;

⁶ and they brought these men to the apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

⁷ So God's message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the faith.

⁸ Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But some members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

¹⁰ yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration with which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses, and against God;

¹² and they stirred up the people, as well as the elders and the teachers of the Law, and set on Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

¹³ There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. “This man,” they said, “is incessantly saying things against this Holy place and the Law;

³ So, friends, you pick 7 of your own men to do that job. They can give the widows money and food. You have to pick men that other people say are good men. They have to be men that God’s Holy Spirit controls properly, and they have to be men that always think properly. We will make those men bosses of that work. They will give money and food to the widows.

⁴ And we will keep on praying and teaching God’s word.”

⁵ All the Christians agreed with those 12 men. So they picked a man called Stephen. He was a man that God’s Holy Spirit controlled properly. And they picked some other men called Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas. (Nicolas came from a town called Antioch. He was not born a Jew but he turned to God and started to follow the Jewish ceremonies, and after that he believed in Jesus.)

⁶ They brought those 7 men to the 12 close followers of Jesus, and those 12 men prayed for God to help those 7 men, and they put their hands on their heads to show that they were giving those 7 men that job.

⁷ At that time the Christians kept telling God’s word to more people, and a lot more people in Jerusalem believed in Jesus. A lot of the men that looked after the Jewish ceremonies also believed in Jesus.

⁸ God helped Stephen to be good to everybody, and he gave Stephen the power to do great things to show people that God was great.

⁹ But some Jewish men started arguing with him. Those men came from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. They belonged to a Jewish meeting house that they called the Meeting House of the Free Men.

¹⁰ But God’s Holy Spirit helped Stephen to think properly, and gave him the right words to say. His words were so strong that those men couldn’t win any argument.

¹¹ So they talked to some other men in secret and paid them money to tell lies about Stephen. Then those other men said, “We heard Stephen say really bad things about Moses, and about God.”

¹² They told these lies to the older Jewish leaders, and to their law teachers, and to a lot of other people. Then all those leaders got upset, and they went out and grabbed Stephen and they brought him to the Jewish council, for them to judge him.

¹³ Those men from the Meeting House of the Free Men got those liars to stand up and say, “Stephen keeps on talking against this place, God’s special place. And he keeps on talking against our Jewish law.

³ Wherfore brethren loke ye out amonge you seven men of honest reporte and full of the holy goost and wysdome which we maye apoynte to this nedfull busynes.

⁴ But we will geve oure selves cotinually to prayer and to the ministracion of the worde.

⁵ And the sayinge pleased the whoale multitude. And they chose Steven a man full of fayth and of the holy goost and Philip and Prochorus and Nichanor and Timon and Permenas and Nicholas a converte of Antioche.

⁶ Which they set before the Apostles and they prayed and layde their hondes on them.

⁷ And the worde of God encreased and the noubre of the disciples multiplied in Ierusalem greatly and a great company of the prestes were obedient to the faythe.

⁸ And Steven full of faythe and power dyd great wondres and myracles amonge the people.

⁹ Then ther arose certayne of the synagoge which are called Lybertines and Syrenites and of Alexandria and of Cilicia and Asia and disputed with Steven.

¹⁰ And they coulde not resist the wysdome and the sprete with which he spake.

¹¹ Then sent they in men which sayd: we have hearde him speake blasphemous wordes agaynst Moses and agaynst God.

¹² And they moved the people and the elders and the scribes: and came apon him and caught him and brought him to the counsell

¹³ and brought forth falce witnesses which sayde. This man ceasith not to speake blasphemous wordes agaynst this holy place and the lawe:

³ You should therefore choose, brothers, seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ As for us, we will always continue in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ Their speech pleased the whole multitude. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.

⁶ The believers brought these men before the apostles, who prayed and then placed their hands upon them.

⁷ So the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith.

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But there arose some people who belonged to the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia. These people were debating with Stephen.

¹⁰ But they were not able to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

¹¹ Then they bribed some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

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

¹³ They brought false witnesses, who said, “This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and the law.

³ Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

³ Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

³ Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

⁶ Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.

⁹ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

¹¹ Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him , and caught him, and brought him to the council,

¹³ And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

³ Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the emissaries. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah.

³ Therefore, select from amongst you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴ But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵ These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they set before the emissaries. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷ The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs amongst the people.

⁹ But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰ They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

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

¹² They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, then brought him in to the council,

¹³ and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the Torah.

³ Therefore, brethren, behold ye men of you of good fame or of good witnessing, seven, full of the Holy Ghost, and of wisdom, whom we shall ordain on this work;

⁴ for we shall be busy to prayer, and to preach, or ministry, or preaching, of the word of God.

⁵ And the word pleased before or to all the multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a comeling or a guest, a man of Antioch.

⁶ They ordained these before the sight of the apostles, and they prayed, and laid hands on them.

⁷ And the word of the Lord waxed, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was much multiplied; also a much company of priests obeyed to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and of strength, made wonders and great signs in the people.

⁹ But some rose of the synagogue, that was called of Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of men of Alexandria, and of them that were of Cilicia and of Asia, and disputed with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they might not withstand the wisdom and the spirit, that spake.

¹¹ Then they privily sent men, that should say, that they have heard him saying words of blasphemy against Moses and God.

¹² And so they moved together the people, and the elder men, and the scribes; and they came together, and took him, and brought into the council.

¹³ And they ordained false witnesses, that said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the law.

³ Therefore, brethren, behold ye men of you of good fame or of good witnessing, seven, full of the Holy Ghost, and of wisdom, whom we shall ordain on this work; (And so, brothers, look for, or find, men among you of good reputation, seven who be full of the Holy Spirit, and of wisdom, whom we shall ordain upon this work;)

⁴ for we shall be busy to prayer, and to preach, or and (the) ministry, or preaching, of the word of God. (for we shall be busy with prayer, and with the preaching, or the ministering, of the word of God.)

⁵ And the word pleased before all the multitude or And the word pleased to all the multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost (or a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a comeling, or a guest, (or a newcomer), a man of Antioch.

⁶ They ordained these before the sight of the apostles, and they prayed, and laid (their) hands on them.

⁷ And the word of the Lord waxed, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was much multiplied; also a much company of priests obeyed to the faith. (And the word of the Lord grew, or spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem greatly increased; and also a great number of priests obeyed the faith.)

⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and of strength, made wonders and great signs in the people. (And Stephen, full of grace and strength, made great wonders and miracles among the people.)

⁹ But some rose (up) of (or from) the synagogue, that was called of Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of men of Alexandria, and of them that were of Cilicia and of Asia, and disputed with Stephen.

¹⁰ And they might not withstand the wisdom and the spirit, that (he) spake.

¹¹ Then they privily sent men, that should say, that they have heard him saying words of blasphemy against Moses and God.

¹² And so they moved together the people, and the elder men (or the elders), and the scribes; and they came together, and took (hold of) him, and brought (him) into the council.

¹³ And they ordained false witnesses, that said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the law.

³ look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,

⁴ and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves continually.'

⁵ And the thing was pleasing before all the multitude, and they did choose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,

⁶ whom they did set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid on them their hands.

⁷ And the word of God did increase, and the number of the disciples did multiply in Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people,

⁹ and there arose certain of those of the synagogue, called of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia, disputing with Stephen,

¹⁰ and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking;

¹¹ then they suborned men, saying — 'We have heard him speaking evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.'

¹² They did stir up also the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come upon him, they caught him, and brought him to the sanhedrim;

¹³ they set up also false witnesses, saying, 'This one doth not cease to speak evil sayings against this holy place and the law,