¹⁸ You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.^(A)

The Appointment of Leaders

⁹ At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden^(A) for me to carry alone.^{(B) 10} The Lord your God has increased^(C) your numbers^(D) so that today you are as numerous^(E) as the stars in the sky.^{(F) 11} May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase^(G) you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised!^{(H) 12} But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself?^{(I) 13} Choose some wise, understanding and respected men^(J) from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

The Choosing of the Seven

6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,^(A) the Hellenistic Jews^[a](B) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows^(C) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^{(D) 2} So the Twelve gathered all the disciples^(E) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God^(F) in order to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters,^(G) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit^(H) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them^{(I) 4} and will give our attention to prayer^(J) and the ministry of the word.”

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,^(K) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;^(L) also Philip,^(M) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed^(N) and laid their hands on them.^(O)