1 Now in these days ^kwhen the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists¹ arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in ^lthe daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 ^mTherefore, brothers,² pick out from among you seven men ⁿof good repute, ^ofull of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But ^pwe will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, ^qa man full of faith and ^rof the Holy Spirit, and ^sPhilip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, ^ta proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and ^uthey prayed and ^vlaid their hands on them.