¹⁸ “You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone.^(A)

Leaders for the Tribes

⁹ “I said to you at that time: I can’t bear the responsibility for you on my own. ¹⁰ The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky.^{(A) 11} May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as he promised you. ¹² But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself? ¹³ Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders.

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 In those days, as the disciples^(A) were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.^{(B) 2} The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. ³ Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^(C) full of the Spirit^(D) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ This proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,^(E) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a convert from Antioch.^{(F) 6} They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed^(G) and laid their hands on^(H) them.