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¹ Now in these days, the disciples multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.² Then the twelve calling the multitude of the disciples together, said, It is not right, that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.³ Therefore, brethren, look out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we will set over this business.⁴ But we will constantly attend 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 Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch:⁶ Whom they set before the apostles, and having prayed, they laid their hands upon them.⁷ And the word of God grew, and the number of disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem greatly: and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.⁹ But there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called that of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.¹⁰ And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.¹¹ Then they suborned men who said, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God.¹² And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming upon him, dragged him away, and brought him to the council,¹³ And set up false witnesses who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law.¹⁴ For we have heard him say, That Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered us.¹⁵ And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face, as the face of an angel.