Acts 10:9–32

Peter Has a Vision

⁹Around noon the next day, while Cornelius’ men were on their way and coming close to Joppa, Peter went on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted to eat. While the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw the sky open and something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners to the ground. ¹²In the sheet were all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds. 

¹³A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.” 

¹⁴Peter answered, “I can’t do that, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything that is impure or unclean.”^a

¹⁵A voice spoke to him a second time, “Don’t say that the things which God has made clean^bare impure.” 

¹⁶This happened three times. Then the sheet was quickly taken into the sky. 

¹⁷While Peter was puzzled by the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and went to the gate. ¹⁸They asked if Simon Peter was staying there. ¹⁹Peter was still thinking about the vision when the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. ²⁰Get up, and go downstairs. Don’t hesitate to go with these men. I have sent them.” 

²¹So Peter went to the men. He said, “I’m the man you’re looking for. Why are you here?” 

²²The men replied, “Cornelius, a Roman army officer, sent us. He’s a man who has God’s approval and who respects God. Also, the Jewish people respect him. A holy angel told him to summon you to his home to hear what you have to say.” 

²³Peter asked the men to come into the house and had them stay overnight. 

Peter Speaks with Cornelius

The next day Peter left with them. Some disciples from Joppa went along. ²⁴The following day they arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called his relatives and close friends together. 

²⁵When Peter was about to enter Cornelius’ house, Cornelius met him, bowed down, and worshiped Peter. ²⁶But Peter made him get up. He told him, “Stand up! I’m only a man.” 

²⁷As Peter talked, he entered Cornelius’ house and found that many people had gathered. ²⁸He said to them, “You understand how wrong it is for a Jewish man to associate or visit with anyone of another race. But God has shown me that I should no longer call anyone impure or unclean. ²⁹That is why I didn’t object to coming here when you sent for me. I want to know why you sent for me.” 

³⁰Cornelius answered, “Four days ago I was praying at home. It was at this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man dressed in radiant clothes stood in front of me. ³¹He said to me, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and has remembered your gifts to the poor. ³²So send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man whose name is Simon Peter. He’s a guest in the home of Simon, a leatherworker who lives by the sea.’