Acts

¹Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists¹³⁴⁶ against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service [of food distribution]. ²The Twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to abandon the word of God in order to serve tables. ³Therefore, select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will appoint them over this necessary task ⁴and devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵These words pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. ⁷Thus, the word of God spread and the number of disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem, and a large number of Jews¹³⁴⁷ became obedient to the faith.

⁸Full of faith¹³⁴⁸ and power, Stephen performed great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹But some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), along with Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from Cilicia and Asia, reacted. They began debating with Stephen, ¹⁰but they were not able to withstand the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke. ¹¹Then they secretly convinced [some] men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God!” ¹²Having stirred up the people, the presbyters and the scribes came against Stephen¹³⁴⁹ and arrested him. They brought him before the Sanhedrin ¹³and produced false witnesses who said, “This man is always uttering blasphemies against the holy place and [against] the law. ¹⁴We have even heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us!” ¹⁵All the members of the council gazed at Stephen¹³⁵⁰ and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s discourse

1346. The Hellenists were Jewish converts to the Church who used Greek language and culture. They were either proselytes (Greeks who had converted to Judaism, then Christianity) or of Hebrew descent.
1347. Other manuscripts read “priests” instead of “Jews.” (“Jews” is supported by Codex Sinaiticus and the Peshitta.)
1348. CT reads “grace” instead of “faith”
1349. Greek “him”
1350. Greek “him”