Seven Leaders Are Chosen

6 The number of ·followers [disciples] was ·growing [multiplying]. But during ·this same time [those days], the ·Greek-speaking followers [^LHellenists; ^CJewish Christians who spoke primarily Greek and had returned to Israel after living abroad] ·had an argument with [began grumbling/complaining against] the ·other followers [^LHebrews; ^CAramaic speaking Jewish Christians born in Israel]. The Greek-speaking widows were ·not getting their share [being neglected/overlooked in the distribution] of the food that was given out every day. ² The ·twelve apostles [Twelve] called the whole group of ·followers [^Ldisciples] together and said, “It is not right for us to ·stop our work of teaching God’s word [^Lleave/abandon the word of God] in order to serve tables. ³ So, ·brothers and sisters [or brothers; ^Cuncertain whether women would have been included in that culture], choose seven of your own men who ·are good [have a good reputation], full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will ·put [appoint] them in charge of this ·work [responsibility; ^Lneed]. ⁴ Then we [apostles] can ·continue [devote ourselves] to pray and to ·teach [^Lthe ministry/service of] the word of God.”

⁵ The whole group ·liked [was pleased with] the idea, so they chose these seven men: Stephen (a man ·with great [^Lfull of] faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip [^Cnot the apostle of the same name], Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a man from Antioch [^Ca major city in Syria] who ·had become a follower of the Jewish religion [^Lwas a prosylete; ^Ca Gentile convert to Judaism]. ⁶ Then they ·put [presented] these men before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands [^Ca ritual of blessing and/or conferring of authority] on them.

⁷ The word of God was continuing to spread. The ·group [number] of ·followers [disciples] in Jerusalem [quickly; or greatly] ·increased [multiplied], and a great number of the Jewish priests ·believed and obeyed [^Lbecome obedient to the faith].