Peter Visits Cornelius

10:1 Now there was a man in Caesarea1 named Cornelius, a centurion2 of what was known as the Italian Cohort.3 10:2 He4 was a devout, God-fearing man,5 as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people6 and prayed to God regularly. 10:3 About three o’clock one afternoon7 he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God8 who came in9 and said to him, “Cornelius.” 10:4 Staring at him and becoming greatly afraid, Cornelius10 replied,11 “What is it, Lord?” The angel12 said to him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity13 have gone up as a memorial14 before God. 10:5 Now15 send men to Joppa16 and summon a man named Simon,17 who is called Peter. 10:6 This man is staying as a guest with a man named Simon, a tanner,18 whose house is by the sea.” 10:7 When the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius19 called two of his personal servants20 and a devout soldier from among those who served him,21 10:8 and when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

10:9 About noon22 the next day, while they were on their way and approaching23 the city, Peter went up on the roof24 to pray. 10:10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing the meal, a trance came over him.25 10:11 He26 saw heaven27 opened28 and an object something like a large sheet29 descending,30 being let down to earth31 by its four corners. 10:12 In it32 were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles33 of the earth and wild birds.34 10:13 Then35 a voice said36 to him, “Get up, Peter; slaughter37 and eat!” 10:14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and ritually unclean!”38 10:15 The voice39 spoke to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not consider40 ritually unclean!”41 10:16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.42

10:17 Now while Peter was puzzling over43 what the vision he had seen could signify, the men sent by Cornelius had learned where Simon’s house was44 and approached45 the gate. 10:18 They46 called out to ask if Simon, known as Peter,47 was staying there as a guest. 10:19 While Peter was still thinking seriously about48 the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look! Three men are looking for you. 10:20 But get up,49 go down, and accompany them without hesitation,50 because I have sent them.” 10:21 So Peter went down51 to the men and said, “Here I am,52 the person you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 10:22 They said, “Cornelius the centurion,53 a righteous54 and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation,55 was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message56 from you.” 10:23 So Peter57 invited them in and entertained them as guests.

On the next day he got up and set out58 with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa59 accompanied him. 10:24 The following day60 he entered Caesarea.61 Now Cornelius was waiting anxiously62 for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 10:25 So when63 Peter came in, Cornelius met64 him, fell65 at his feet, and worshiped66 him. 10:26 But Peter helped him up,67 saying, “Stand up. I too am a mere mortal.”68 10:27 Peter69 continued talking with him as he went in, and he found many people gathered together.70 10:28 He said to them, “You know that71 it is unlawful72 for a Jew73 to associate with or visit a Gentile,74 yet God has shown me that I should call no person75 defiled or ritually unclean.76 10:29 Therefore when you sent for me,77 I came without any objection. Now may I ask why78 you sent for me?” 10:30 Cornelius79 replied,80 “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock in the afternoon,81 I was praying in my house, and suddenly82 a man in shining clothing stood before me 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your acts of charity83 have been remembered before God.84 10:32 Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon the tanner,85 by the sea.’ 10:33 Therefore I sent for you at once, and you were kind enough to come.86 So now we are all here in the presence of God87 to listen88 to everything the Lord has commanded you to say to us.”89

10:34 Then Peter started speaking:90 “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people,91 10:35 but in every nation92 the person who fears him93 and does what is right94 is welcomed before him. 10:36 You know95 the message96 he sent to the people97 of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace98 through99 Jesus Christ100 (he is Lord101 of all)—10:37 you know what happened throughout Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John announced:102 10:38 with respect to Jesus from Nazareth,103 that104 God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He105 went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,106 because God was with him.107 10:39 We108 are witnesses of all the things he did both in Judea109 and in Jerusalem.110 They111 killed him by hanging him on a tree,112 10:40 but113 God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen,114 10:41 not by all the people, but by us, the witnesses God had already chosen,115 who ate and drank116 with him after he rose from the dead. 10:42 He117 commanded us to preach to the people and to warn118 them119 that he is the one120 appointed121 by God as judge122 of the living and the dead. 10:43 About him all the prophets testify,123 that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins124 through his name.”