⁸ God, who knows the heart,^(A) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,^(B) just as he did to us.

³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’^[a](A) and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’^{[b](B) 5} But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ ⁶ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(A) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(B) in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters,^(C) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(D) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^{(E) 4} and will give our attention to prayer^(F) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(G) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(H) also Philip,^(I) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(J) and laid their hands on them.^(K)

¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless,^{(A) 15} because the law brings wrath.^(B) And where there is no law there is no transgression.^(C)

¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace^(D) and may be guaranteed^(E) to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.^(F)