ABU(i)
1 AND in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said: It is not proper that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves 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 having 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 grace and of power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
9 And there arose certain ones of the synagogue so called of the Freedmen, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with 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 coming upon him, they seized him, and brought him to the council,
13 and set up false witnesses, Who said: This man ceases not to speak words against this holy place, and the law.
14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.
15 And all that sat in the council, looking intently upon him, saw his face as the face of an angel.