1Now in those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the native Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, »It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.« 5And the statement pleased the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. 10But they could not stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, »We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.« 12They stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came on him and seized him, and brought him before the council. 13They put forward false witnesses who said, »This man never stops speaking against this holy place, and the law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us.« 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.