Selection of the Seven

6 Now in those days, while the ^(A)disciples were ^(B)multiplying in number, there was grumbling from the ^[a](C)Hellenists against the ^(D)Hebrews, because their ^(E)widows were being overlooked in ^(F)the daily serving of food. ² So the twelve summoned the ^[b]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not pleasing to God for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. ³ Therefore, ^(G)brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, ^(H)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need. ⁴ But we will ^(I)devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.” ⁵ And this word pleased the whole ^[c]congregation, and they chose ^(J)Stephen, a man ^(K)full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and ^(L)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a ^[d](M)proselyte from ^(N)Antioch. ⁶ And these they stood before the apostles, and after ^(O)praying, they ^(P)laid their hands on them.

^7 (Q)And the word of God kept on spreading, and ^(R)the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great ^[e]many of the priests were becoming obedient to ^(S)the faith.