1Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint by the Grecian Jews began against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

2The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, “It is not right for us to give up the word of God in order to serve tables.

3You 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.

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

5Their 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.

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

7So 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.

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

9But 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.

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

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

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

13They brought false witnesses, who said, “This man does not stop speaking words 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 that Moses handed down to us.”

15Everyone who sat in the council fixed their eyes on him and saw his face was like the face of an angel.