| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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; | 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 give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” | 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry." |
| 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 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. |
| 6whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. | 6They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid 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. | 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. |
| 8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. | 8Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and 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. | 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. |
| 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. | 10But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. |
| 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” | 11Then they persuaded some men to say, "We heard him 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 stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin. |
| 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 also presented false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking blasphemous 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 which Moses delivered 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 sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as 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." |
|
