For those who have occupied the office of a deacon well purchase for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
His lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of your lord.
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte from Antioch:
I plead with you, brethren, (you know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
But even after we had suffered before, and were shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much opposition.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.