49 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
49 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
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## Selection of the Seven
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###### 1
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Now in those days, while the disciples were multiplying _in number_, there was grumbling from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving _of food_.
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###### 2
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So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not pleasing _to God_ for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
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###### 3
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Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this need.
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###### 4
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But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word."
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###### 5
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And this word pleased the whole congregation, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
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###### 6
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And these they stood before the apostles, and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
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###### 7
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And the word of God kept on spreading, and the number of the disciples continued to multiply greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
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## Stephen Accused of Blasphemy
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###### 8
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And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
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###### 9
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But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, _including_ both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen.
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###### 10
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But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.
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###### 11
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Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
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###### 12
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And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin.
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###### 13
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And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the Law;
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###### 14
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for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us."
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###### 15
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And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel.
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