New King James Version

English Standard Version

1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,

2a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

2a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

3About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

3About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”

4And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

4And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

5Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

5And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.

6He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”

6He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.

7When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,

8So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

8and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

9The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

10Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance

10And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance

11and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.

11and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

12In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.

12In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.

13And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

13And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

15And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

15And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

16This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

16This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.

17Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate

18And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

18and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

19While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you.

19And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

20Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

20Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

21Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

21And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”

22And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”

23Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

23So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

24And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.

24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”

26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”

27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.

27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.

28Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

29Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

30And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing

31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.

31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

32Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’

32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’

33So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

33So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

34So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

35But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

36The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

37that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

39And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

40Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,

40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,

41not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

43To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

45And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

47“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

47“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.