1 At that time, as the number
of the disciples was multiplied,
the Hellenists murmured
against the Hebrews,
because their widows were
neglected in the distribution
that was made daily.
2 the
twelve therefore assembled
all the disciples, and said, it
is not fit that we should leave
the word of God, to mind
what relates to your meals.
3 wherefore, brethren, chuse
out of your number seven persons
of good reputation, full
of the holy spirit and wisdom,
who may have the management
of this affair:
4 whilst
we shall continue our applications
to prayer, and to
preaching.
5 this proposition
pleased the whole assembly:
and they chose Stephen, a
man full of faith and of the
holy spirit, Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicolas a proselyte
of Antioch.
6 these they
presented to the apostles: who
after prayer gave them imposition
of hands.
7 thus the
word of God was spread;
and the number of disciples
encreased very much at Jerusalem;
-- --
and a numerous
body of priests embrac'd the
faith.
8 Now Stephen full of grace
and power, did great wonders
and miracles among the
people.
9 when some out of the
several synagogues, belonging
to the freed men, to the Cyrenians,
Alexandrians, and
to those of Cilicia, and of
Asia, came to dispute with
Stephen.
10 but as they were
not able to withstand the
force of that sublime knowledge
which appeared in his
discourse,
11 they suborned men,
who said, we have heard
him speak irreverently of
Moses, and of God.
12 and
they stirred up the people,
the senators, and the doctors
of law, who came and seiz'd
him, and brought him to the
council,
13 where they produc'd
false witnesses, who said, this
man is continually inveighing
against the holy place,
and against the law.
14 for we
have heard him say, that
Jesus the Nazarene shall destroy
this place, and change
the customs which Moses delivered
us.
15 and all that
sat in the council, looking
stedfastly on him, saw an
air of majesty in his aspect.
Mace [1729], THE NEW TESTAMENT IN Greek and English. Containing the ORIGINAL TEXT Corrected from the Authority of the most Authentic Manuscripts: AND A NEW VERSION Form'd agreeably to the Illustrations of the most Learned Commentators and Critics: WITH NOTES and VARIOUS READINGS, AND A Copious Alphabetical Index (Printed for J. ROBERTS [etc.], LONDON) [word count] [B11200].