| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. | 1In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. |
| 2So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. | 2So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. |
| 3And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. | 3Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them |
| 4Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” | 4and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” |
| 5Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). | 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. |
| 6These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. | 6They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. |
| 7So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Stephen Is Arrested | 7So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith. |
| 8Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. | 8Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. |
| 9But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. | 9But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen, |
| 10None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. | 10but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. |
| 11So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” | 11Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” |
| 12This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. | 12So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, |
| 13The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. | 13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. |
| 14We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” | 14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” |
| 15At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s. | 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. |
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