¹选出七位执事

¹Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even though they were also of Hebrew descent. against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.

²于是十二使徒召集了众门徒，说：“要我们放下　神的道，去管理伙食，是不合适的。

²The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.

³所以弟兄们，应当从你们中间选出七个有好见证、满有圣灵和智慧的人，我们就派他们负责这事。

³Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

⁴至于我们，我们要专心祈祷、传道。”

⁴But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”

⁵这个意见全会众都很满意，于是选出司提反，他是一位满有信心和圣灵的人，还有腓利、伯罗哥罗、尼加挪、提门、巴米拿，以及归信犹太教的安提阿人尼哥拉，

⁵These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

⁶叫他们站在使徒面前。使徒祷告后，就为他们按手。

⁶whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

⁷　神的道传开了；在耶路撒冷，门徒人数大大增加，有很多祭司也信从了真道。

⁷The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸司提反被捕司提反满有恩惠能力，在民间施行大奇事和神迹。

⁸Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

⁹当时有几个称为“自由人”会堂的人，就是从古利奈和亚历山太来的人，另外还有基利家人和亚西亚人，他们出面与司提反辩论，

⁹But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines,” and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.

¹⁰但司提反靠着圣灵和智慧说话，他们就抵挡不住。

¹⁰They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

¹¹于是他们唆使众人，说：“我们听过他说谤渎摩西和　神的话。”

¹¹Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.”

¹²又煽动民众、长老、经学家，这些人就来捉拿他，把他带到公议会，

¹²They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,

¹³并且造了假的证供说：“这人不断抨击圣地和律法。

¹³and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

¹⁴我们听他说过：‘这拿撒勒人耶稣要毁坏这地方，改变摩西传给我们的规例。’”

¹⁴For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

¹⁵当时，坐在公议会里的人，都注视他，见他的面貌像天使一样。

¹⁵All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.