The Bible

Why Saint Stephen Was Stoned to Death (Acts 7.48–60, in William Tyndale's translation)

Howbeit he that is highest of all, dwelleth not in temple made with hands, as saith the prophet: Heaven is my seat, and earth is my footstool, what house will ye build for me saith the Lord? or what place is it that I should rest in? hath not my hand made all these things?

Ye stiffnecked and of uncircumcised hearts and ears: ye have always resisted the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them, which shewed before of the coming of that just, whom ye have now betrayed and murdered. And ye also have received a law by the ordinance of angels, and have not kept it.

When they heard these things, their hearts clave asunder, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly with his eyes into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said: behold, I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. Then they gave a shout with a loud voice, and stopped their ears and ran upon him all at once, and cast him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet named Saul. And they stoned Stephen calling on and saying: Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice: Lord lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had thus spoken, he fell asleep.