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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.² Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.³ Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:⁶ Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.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.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and miracles among the people.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.¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.¹¹ Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.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,¹³ And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:¹⁴ For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.¹⁵ And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.