Acts.6.1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
Acts.6.1
During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers--"Hellenists"-toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines.
Acts.6.1
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Acts.6.1
Now 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.
Acts.6.1
But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
Acts.6.2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Acts.6.2
So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, "It wouldn't be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor.
Acts.6.2
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.
Acts.6.2
Then 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.
Acts.6.2
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. "We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program," they said.
Acts.6.3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts.6.3
So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task.
Acts.6.3
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
Acts.6.3
Therefore, 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;
Acts.6.3
"Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business.
Acts.6.4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts.6.4
Meanwhile, we'll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God's Word."
Acts.6.4
and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
Acts.6.4
but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Acts.6.4
Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word."
Acts.6.5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Acts.6.5
The congregation thought this was a great idea. They went ahead and chose--Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas, a convert from Antioch.
Acts.6.5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
Acts.6.5
And 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,
Acts.6.5
This idea pleased the whole group, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (a Gentile convert to the Jewish faith, who had now become a Christian).
Acts.6.6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts.6.6
Then they presented them to the apostles. Praying, the apostles laid on hands and commissioned them for their task.
Acts.6.6
They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
Acts.6.6
whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
Acts.6.6
These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.
Acts.6.7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Acts.6.7
The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith. [JC]
Acts.6.7
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Acts.6.7
Then 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.
Acts.6.7
God's message was preached in ever-widening circles. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts.6.8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts.6.8
Stephen, brimming with God's grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them.
Acts.6.8
Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.
Acts.6.8
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts.6.8
Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
Acts.6.9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Acts.6.9
But then some men from the meeting place whose membership was made up of freed slaves, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and some others from Cilicia and Asia, went up against him trying to argue him down.
Acts.6.9
Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen,
Acts.6.9
Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
Acts.6.9
But 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.
Acts.6.10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Acts.6.10
But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.
Acts.6.10
but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
Acts.6.10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Acts.6.10
None of them was able to stand against the wisdom and Spirit by which Stephen spoke.
Acts.6.11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Acts.6.11
So in secret they bribed men to lie: "We heard him cursing Moses and God."
Acts.6.11
Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."
Acts.6.11
Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
Acts.6.11
So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, "We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God."
Acts.6.12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Acts.6.12
That stirred up the people, the religious leaders, and religion scholars. They grabbed Stephen and took him before the High Council
Acts.6.12
So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
Acts.6.12
And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.
Acts.6.12
Naturally, this roused the crowds, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council.
Acts.6.13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Acts.6.13
They put forward their bribed witnesses to testify: "This man talks nonstop against this Holy Place and God's Law.
Acts.6.13
They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
Acts.6.13
They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
Acts.6.13
The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the Temple and against the law of Moses.
Acts.6.14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Acts.6.14
We even heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth would tear this place down and throw out all the customs Moses gave us."
Acts.6.14
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
Acts.6.14
for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
Acts.6.14
We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us."
Acts.6.15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Acts.6.15
As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him--his face was like the face of an angel!
Acts.6.15
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Acts.6.15
And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.
Acts.6.15
At this point everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angel's.
