| Christian Standard Bible | NET 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. | 1Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. |
| 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. | 2So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. |
| 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. | 3But carefully select from among you, brothers, seven men who are well-attested, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this necessary task. |
| 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." |
| 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 entire group, so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a Gentile convert to Judaism from Antioch. |
| 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. | 6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed 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. | 7The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased 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. | 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous 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. | 9But some men from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, as well as some from Cilicia and the province of Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. |
| 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. | 10Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. |
| 11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." | 11Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard this man 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 incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council. |
| 13They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the law. | 13They brought forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop saying things 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 have heard him saying that Jesus the 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. | 15All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel. |
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