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But in those days, when the number of disciples increased, the Greeks grumbled against the Hebrews [grutching of Greeks was made against Hebrews], for that their widows were despised in every day's ministering.

And the twelve called together the multitude of disciples, and said, It is not rightful, that we leave the word of God, and minister to boards.

Therefore, brethren, behold ye men of you of good fame [behold ye men of you, of good witnessing, or fame], [seven,] full of the Holy Ghost and of wisdom, whom we shall ordain on this work;

for we shall be busy to prayer, and to preach the word of God. [forsooth we shall be busy to prayer and ministry, or preaching, of the word.]

And the word pleased before all the multitude [And the word pleased to all the 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 comeling [and Nicolas, a guest, or comeling], a man of Antioch.

They ordained these before the sight of the apostles, and they prayed, and laid hands on them.

And the word of the Lord waxed, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was much multiplied; also a much company of priests obeyed to the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and of strength, made wonders and great signs in the people. [Stephen, full of grace and strength, did wonders and great signs in the people.]

But some rose [rised] of the synagogue, that was called of Libertines, and Cyrenians, and of men of Alexandria, and of them that were of Cilicia and of Asia, and disputed with Stephen [disputing with Stephen].

10 And they might not withstand the wisdom and the spirit, that spake.

11 Then they privily sent men, that should say, that they [have] heard him saying words of blasphemy against Moses and God.

12 And so they moved together the people, and the elder men, and the scribes; and they came together, and took him [and snatched him], and brought into the council.

13 And they ordained false witnesses, that said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the law.

14 For we heard him saying, That this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions, which Moses betook to us.

15 And all men that sat in the council beheld him, and saw his face as the face of an angel. [And all men that sat in the council beholding him, saw the face of him as the face of an angel.]

選立執事

那時,門徒的人數與日俱增。當中有些講希臘話的猶太人埋怨講希伯來話的猶太人,說對方在日常分配食物的事上怠慢了他們的寡婦。 於是,十二使徒召集所有的門徒,對他們說:「我們不應該忽略傳上帝的道,去管理膳食。 弟兄姊妹,請從你們中間選出七位聲譽良好、被聖靈充滿、有智慧的人來負責膳食, 而我們要專心祈禱和傳道。」

大家一致同意,便選出充滿信心、被聖靈充滿的司提凡,此外還有腓利、伯羅哥羅、尼迦挪、提門、巴米拿,以及曾信過猶太教、來自安提阿的外族人尼哥拉。 大家將這七個人帶到使徒面前。使徒把手按在他們身上,為他們禱告。

上帝的道興旺起來,耶路撒冷的門徒大大增多,連許多祭司也皈信了。

司提凡被捕

司提凡得到極大的恩典和能力,在百姓中間行了驚人的神蹟奇事。 但有些來自古利奈、亞歷山大、基利迦和亞細亞、屬於「自由人[a]會堂」的猶太人聯合起來與司提凡辯論。 10 他們無法駁倒司提凡,因為他靠著智慧和聖靈說話。

11 於是,他們暗中唆使一些人誣告司提凡說:「我們聽見他說褻瀆摩西和上帝的話!」 12 又煽動百姓、長老和律法教師抓住司提凡,把他押到公會。 13 他們還派人作偽證說:「司提凡常常講侮辱聖地[b]和律法的話。 14 我們聽見他說那個拿撒勒人耶穌要毀壞聖殿,還要摒棄摩西傳給我們的規矩。」 15 在場的人都盯著司提凡,只見他的容貌好像天使一樣。

Footnotes

  1. 6·9 自由人」指的是原為奴隸,後來獲得自由的人。
  2. 6·13 聖地」指「聖殿」。