The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,d the Hellenistic Jewsa e among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widowsf were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.g 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciplesh together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of Godi in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters,j choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spiritk and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to theml 4 and will give our attention to prayerm and the ministry of the word.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,n a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;o also Philip,p Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayedq and laid their hands on them.r

7 So the word of God spread.s The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,t and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.