Acts 10:1-22 ▼

1 New a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of a band, called the Italian band ?

2 devout, and fearing God with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to God continually?

3 saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

4 And he, looking intently on him, and becoming much afraid, said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms went up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter;

6 the same is guest with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea."

7 And, when the angel who was talking to him departed, having called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those attending him;

8 and, having recounted all things to them , he sent them to Joppa.

9 Now, on the morrow, as they were journeying, and coming near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.

10 And he became very hungry, and wished to eat; and, while they were making ready, there came upon him a trance;

11 and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth;

12 in which were all the four-footed beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and birds of the heaven.

13 And there came a voice to him, "Arising, Peter, kill and eat."

14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord! because never at any time did I eat anything common or unclean."

15 And a voice came to him again, a second time, "What God cleansed, count not common."

16 Now this happened three times, and straightway the vessel was taken up into heaven.

17 Now, as Peter was much perplexed in himself as to what the vision which he saw might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate;

18 and, calling, were inquiring whether Simon who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.

19 And, while Peter was earnestly considering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.

20 But, arising, go down, and journey with them, nothing doubting; because I have sent them."

21 And Peter, going down to the men, said, "Behold, I am he whom ye are seeking; what is the cause for which ye are present?"

22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man, and one fearing God, well reported of also by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy angel to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you."