| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. | 1In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. |
| 2So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. | 2Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters. |
| 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them | 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. |
| 4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry." |
| 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. | 5The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch. |
| 6They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. | 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. | 7So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 8Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. | 8Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen, | 9Then some from what is called the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen. |
| 10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. | 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. |
| 11Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” | 11Then they persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!" |
| 12So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, | 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. |
| 13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. | 13They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. |
| 14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” | 14For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." |
| 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. | 15And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." |
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