¹ In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

³ Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

⁴ and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

⁵ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

⁶ They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

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

¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake,

¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them.

¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough.

¹⁹ When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,² 6:19 Greek rowed twenty-five or thirty stadia (about 5 or 6 kilometers) they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified.

²⁰ But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."

²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.