| Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. | 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. |
| 2The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God 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. |
| 3Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. | 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. |
| 4But we 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 company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch. | 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 had them stand before 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 spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group 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, 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. |
| 9Opposition arose, however, from some members of the Freedmen's Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, and 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 were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. | 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. |
| 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." | 11Then they persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!" |
| 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, seized him, and took him to the Sanhedrin. | 12They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. |
| 13They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and 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 heard him say that this 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." |
| 15And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and 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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