6 ¹ Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 6 ² And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 6 ³ Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 6 ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 6 ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 ⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.

6 ⁷ And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.