¹³ Choose some wise, understanding and respected men^(A) from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

²¹ But select capable men^(A) from all the people—men who fear^(B) God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain^(C)—and appoint them as officials^(D) over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism^(A) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness^(B) with us of his resurrection.”

²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.

¹⁶ The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders^(A) who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.^(B) Have them come to the tent of meeting,^(C) that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you^(D) there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them.^(E) They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.^(F)

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)