| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected 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. |
| 2Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve 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. |
| 3Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; | 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 give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." |
| 5And the saying pleased the whole multitude. 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, | 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. |
| 6whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. | 6They stood these men before the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on them. |
| 7Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were 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. |
| 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. | 8Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. |
| 9Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing 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. |
| 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. | 10Yet they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. |
| 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak 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." |
| 12And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. | 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 set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words 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 have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered 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 sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as 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. |
|
