Acts 6

New International Version

The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(A) the Hellenistic Jews^[a]^(B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^(D) ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(F) in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers and sisters,^(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^(I) ⁴and will give our attention to prayer^(J) and the ministry of the word.”

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

⁷So the word of God spread.^(P) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,^(Q) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

⁸Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs^(R) among the people. ⁹Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene^(S) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia^(T) and Asia^(U)—who began to argue with Stephen. ¹⁰But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.^(V)

¹¹Then they secretly^(W) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”^(X)

¹²So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.^(Y) ¹³They produced false witnesses,^(Z) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place^(AA) and against the law. ¹⁴For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place^(AB) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”^(AC)

¹⁵All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin^(AD) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Footnotes

Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture

Psalm 90

New International Version

BOOK IV

Psalms 90–106

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

¹Lord, you have been our dwelling place^(A)
    throughout all generations.
²Before the mountains were born^(B)
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting^(C) you are God.^(D)

³You turn people back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”^(E)
⁴A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.^(F)
⁵Yet you sweep people away^(G) in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
⁶In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.^(H)

⁷We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
⁸You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins^(I) in the light of your presence.^(J)
⁹All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.^(K)
¹⁰Our days may come to seventy years,^(L)
    or eighty,^(M) if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,^(N)
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.^(O)
¹¹If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath^(P) is as great as the fear that is your due.^(Q)
¹²Teach us to number our days,^(R)
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.^(S)

¹³Relent, Lord! How long^(T) will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.^(U)
¹⁴Satisfy^(V) us in the morning with your unfailing love,^(W)
    that we may sing for joy^(X) and be glad all our days.^(Y)
¹⁵Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
¹⁶May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.^(Z)