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 unto them , 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 Ghost 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 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 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, did 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 spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which 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, which 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 shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
1 Tanīs dienās, mācekļu skaitam pieaugot, hellēnistu starpā radās kurnēšana pret ebrejiem, ka viņu atraitnes dienišķajā apkalpošanā paliekot neievērotas. 2 Tie divpadsmit saaicināja visus mācekļus un sacīja: "Nav pareizi, ka mēs, kalpodami pie galda, atstājam novārtā Dieva vārdu. 3 Tāpēc, brāļi, izredziet no sava vidus septiņus vīrus, kam laba slava, Svētā Gara un gudrības pilnus, kam mēs varētu šo pienākumu uzticēt; 4 bet mēs gribam arī turpmāk Dievu lūgt un kalpot ar vārdu." 5 Šie vārdi patika visai draudzei, un viņi izredzēja Stefanu, vīru, ticības un Svētā Gara pilnu, un Filipu, Prohoru, Nikanoru, Timonu, Parmenu un Nikolaju, Antiohijas prosēlitu, 6 un veda tos apustuļu priekšā; tie, Dievu pielūgdami, uzlika viņiem rokas. 7 Dieva vārds auga augumā, un mācekļu skaits Jeruzālemē stipri pieauga, un liels pulks priesteru kļuva ticīgi. 8 Bet Stefans, pilns ticības un spēka, darīja brīnumus un lielas zīmes tautā. 9 Tad piecēlās daži no tā sauktās libertīnu un kirēniešu un aleksandriešu skolas un daži no Kilikijas un Āzijas un iesāka vārdu cīņu ar Stefanu, 10 bet tie nespēja pretoties gudrībai un garam, ar kādu viņš runāja. 11 Tad viņi sakūdīja vīrus, lai saka: "Mēs esam dzirdējuši, ka viņš zaimo Mozu un Dievu." 12 Tie saskubināja ļaudis, vecajus un rakstu mācītājus un, viņam uzbrukuši, satvēra to un veda sinedrija priekšā. 13 Viņi atveda viltus lieciniekus, kas sacīja: "Šis cilvēks nemitas runāt pret svēto vietu un bauslību; 14 jo mēs esam dzirdējuši viņu sakām: šis nacarietis Jēzus nopostīs šo vietu un pārgrozīs paražas, ko mums Mozus devis." 15 Un visi, kas sēdēja sinedrijā, skatījās uz viņu un redzēja viņa vaigu līdzināmies eņģeļa vaigam.
