“In Damascus a man named Ananias {\cf2\super [438]} came to me. Ananias was a man that truly worshiped God; he obeyed the law \{of Moses\}. All the Jews who lived there respected him.
A man named Simeon lived in Jerusalem. He was a good man that truly worshiped God. Simeon was waiting for the time when God would come to help Israel (the Jews). The Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [35]} was in him.
The men said, “A holy angel told Cornelius to invite you to his house. Cornelius is an army officer. {\cf2\super [208]} He is a good man; he worships God. All the Jewish people respect him. The angel told Cornelius to invite you to his house so that he can listen to the things you have to say.”
Some of the Jews there believed Paul and Silas and decided to join them. Also, there were some Greek men who worshiped the true God and some important women. A large group of the men and many of the women joined Paul and Silas.
So, brothers and sisters, choose seven of your own men. They must be men that people say are good. They must be full of wisdom and full of the Spirit. {\cf2\super [109]} We will give them this work to do.
Some people honor us, but other people shame us. Some people say good things about us, but other people say bad things. Some people say we are liars, but we speak the truth.
An elder must also have the respect of people who are not in the church. Then he will not be criticized by other people and be caught in the devil’s trap.