{Autumn 36 AD. Temple at Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate deposed.}

             ^6:1 Now in these days, while the disciples are multiplying, a murmuring came^* out from the Grecian Jews aimed toward the Hebrews, because their widows were being left-unattended in the daily service. ^6:2 Now the twelve called the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not pleasing to God for us to have left the word of God to serve tables. ^6:3 Therefore, brethren, elect^° out-of you^° seven men, who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we might designate over this need. ^6:4 But we will be persevering in prayer and in the service of the word. ^6:5 And the speech pleased everyone of the multitude and they themselves chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus a Jewish-convert from Antioch; ^6:6 whom they stood in the sight of the apostles and they prayed, laid their hands upon them.

             ^6:7 And the word of God was growing, and the number of the disciples were being extremely multiplied in Jerusalem, and a large crowd of the priests were obedient^* to the faith.

             ^6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing^* great wonders and signs among the people. ^6:9 But some of the ones from the synagogue stood up, the one being called^* the Synagogue of the Freedmen both those from Cyrene and from Alexandria, and the ones from Cilicia and Asia, debating together-with Stephen. ^6:10 And they were not strong-enough to stand against the wisdom and the Spirit by which he was speaking. ^6:11 Then they instigated men, saying, We have heard him speak blasphemous declarations at Moses and God. ^6:12 And they agitated the people and the elders and the scribes. And they stood against him and seized him and led him into the council.

             ^6:13 And false^* witnesses stood up, saying, This man is not ceasing to speak blasphemous declarations against the holy place and the law. ^6:14 For^* we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazarene will be tearing-down this place and will be changing the customs which Moses gave to us. ^6:15 And all the ones sitting in the council, stared toward him and saw his face was like the face of a messenger of God.