1 But in those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose from the Hellenists {Hellenistai: Greek-speaking Jews} against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily service {diakonia: ministry of assistance}.
2 But the twelve, having summoned the multitude of the disciples, said, “It is not right for us, having left the word of God {Theos, Source of the message}, to serve tables {trapezais: food distribution}.”
3 So, brothers, look for men from among you who are well spoken of {martyroumenous: proven character}, seven in number, full of the Spirit {pneuma, Empowering Presence} and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this need.
4 But we will persist in prayer {proseuche: devoted communion} and in the ministry {diakonia: spiritual service} of the word.
5 And the statement pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith {pisteos: steadfast trust} and the Holy Spirit {Pneuma hagion, Empowering Presence}, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 Whom they set before the apostles {apostolon: commissioned witnesses}, and after praying, they laid their hands {cheiras: ritual blessing} on them.
7 And the word of God {Theos, Lord of the advancing word} was growing, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was being multiplied greatly, and a large crowd of the priests were obedient to the faith {pistei: trust-based allegiance}.
8 But Stephen, full of grace {charitos: unearned favor} and power, was carrying out extraordinary wonders {terata: astonishing acts} and signs among the people.
9 But some of those from the synagogue {synagoge: Jewish gathering place} that was called the Synagogue of the Libertines, of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up disputing with Stephen {Stephano: crown bearer}.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom {sophia: Spirit-given understanding} and the Spirit {Pneuma, Empowering Witness} by which he was speaking.
11 Then they instigated men who said, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words {rhemata: spoken accusations} against Moses and God {Theos, Holy Lawgiver}.”
12 And they stirred up the people {laos: hostile crowd}, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come upon him they seized him, and led him into the council {synedrion: Jewish council}.
13 And they set up witnesses {marturas: legal accusers} who were false, saying, “This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the law {nomos: covenant standard}.”
14 For we have heard him saying that this Jesus {Iesous: Jesus the Nazarene} will destroy this place and will change the customs {ethe: inherited practices} which Moses delivered to us.
15 And as all who were sitting in the council {synedrion: Jewish ruling body} looked intently at him, they saw his face as if it were the face of an angel {angelos: heavenly messenger}.