1 AND a certain man at Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort which was called the Italian, 2 a pious man, and one fearing God with all his house, and bestowing many charities on the people, and praying to God always, 3 saw clearly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.
4 And looking steadily at him and being afraid, he said, What is wanted, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and charities have come up as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and call for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6 he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea.
7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of the house servants, and a pious soldier of those that attended constantly on him, 8 and having related all things to them sent them to Joppa.
9 And on the next day, as they were pursuing their journey and had come nigh to the city, Peter went upon the house to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 And he was hungry and wished to eat; and while they were preparing a trance came upon him, 11 and he beheld heaven opened, and a certain vessel like a great sheet descending, let down by four corners to the earth, 12 in which were all the quadrupeds and reptiles of the earth, and birds of heaven. 13 And a voice came to him, Arise, Peter, kill and eat.
14 But Peter said, By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten any thing common and impure.
15 And a voice came to him again, a second time, What God has purified, regard not common. 16 And this was done thrice, and immediately the vessel was taken up to heaven.
17 And while Peter doubted with himself what the vision which he had seen meant, behold, even [then] the men sent by Cornelius, having inquired for the house of Simon, stood at the gate, 18 and calling aloud asked if Simon who was called Peter lodged there.
19 And while Peter was considering of the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, men seek you; 20 arise and go down and go with them without hesitation, for I have sent them.
21 And Peter went down to the men and said, Behold, I am the man whom you seek; what is the cause for which you have come?
22 And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and one that fears God, and esteemed by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house and hear words from you. 23 Then he called them in and entertained them. And the next day he arose and went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 And on the day following they came to Caesarea; and Cornelius was expecting them, and had called together his relations and particular friends. 25 And when Peter came in Cornelius met him, and falling down at his feet worshipped him.
26 But Peter raised him up saying, Arise, I also am a man. 27 And conversing with him he went in, and found many come together; 28 and he said to them, You know that it is not lawful for a Jew to associate with a man of another nation, or come into his house; and God has taught me not to call any man common or impure; 29 wherefore, being sent for I also came without objecting. I ask therefore for what reason you have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, From the fourth hour of the day I fasted till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in splendid clothing, 31 and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your charities are remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon who is called Peter; he lodges at the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea, who when he has come will speak to you. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things which God has commanded you.
34 And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, 35 but in every nation he that fears him and does righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching the good news of peace by Jesus Christ,??e is Lord of all,??37 you know; the word which was [preached] through all Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism which John preached, 38 Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all that were subjugated by the devil, for God was with him; 39 and we are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the land of Judea, and at Jerusalem, whom also they killed, hanging him on a cross. 40 This [man] did God raise up on the third day, and permitted him to be made manifest, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, to us, who eat and drank with him after he rose from the dead; 42 and he commanded us to preach to the people and testify fully that he is appointed by God the judge of living and dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness, that every one who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name.
44 While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who came with Peter were astonished, that on the gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out; 46 for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 Can any forbid water that these should be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also have? 48 And he commanded that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they desired him to remain some days.