SEVEN CHOSEN TO SERVE

6 In those days, as the disciplesp were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.q 2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,f full of the Spirits and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,t a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.u 6 They had them stand before the apostles, who prayedv and laid their hands onw them.

7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increasedx greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.