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Cornelius asks Peter to come to him

10 There was a man who lived in Caesarea and his name was Cornelius. He was an officer in the Roman army. His group of soldiers was called ‘The Group from Italy’. 2 Cornelius was a good man. He and all his family served God faithfully. Cornelius prayed to God every day. He also gave money to help poor Jewish people. [ a ]

3 One afternoon, at about three o'clock, Cornelius had a vision. [ b ] He clearly saw one of God's angels. The angel came in and said to him, ‘Cornelius!’

4 Cornelius looked at the angel and he was afraid. He asked, ‘Master, why have you come to me?’

The angel answered, ‘God has heard your prayers. He knows about all the money that you give to poor people. This has pleased him. Now God is answering your prayers. 5 You must send some men to Joppa. They will find a man who is staying there. He is called Simon Peter. Your men must tell him to come here to Caesarea. 6 He is staying at the house of Simon the tanner. [ c ] His house is near the sea.’

7 Then the angel who spoke to Cornelius went away. Cornelius told two of his servants and a soldier of his group to come to him. The soldier was one of those who served Cornelius. He was a good man who obeyed God. 8 Cornelius explained to these three men what the angel had said to him. Then he sent them to Joppa. [ d ]

9 The next day, at about noon, Cornelius's men were coming near to Joppa. At this time, Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray to God. [ e ] 10 He became hungry and he wanted to eat some food. While someone was preparing a meal for him, Peter had a special dream. 11 In a vision, he saw heaven open above him. Then he saw something like a large piece of cloth. Somebody held it at each of its four corners and let it come down to the ground. 12 Inside the cloth there were many different kinds of animals with four legs. There were also wild birds and snakes. 13 Then Peter heard a voice that said to him, ‘Peter, stand up and kill some of these animals. Then you can cook them and eat the meat.’

14 Peter answered, ‘No, Lord, I would certainly not do that. I have never eaten an animal that our Law says is unclean.’ [ f ]

15 Then, for the second time, the voice said to Peter, ‘God has made these animals good for people to eat. So you must not say that it is not right to eat them.’

16 All this happened three times. After that, the cloth immediately went back up into heaven.

17 Just then, Cornelius's men arrived there in Joppa. They found Simon's house. When they stopped at the gate of the house, Peter was still thinking about his dream and what it meant. 18 The men shouted out, ‘Is a man called Simon Peter staying here?’

19 While Peter was still thinking about his dream, the Holy Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men have arrived and they are looking for you. 20 Get up and go downstairs to meet them. I have sent these men to come to you. So you should go with them. Do not be afraid.’

21 Peter went downstairs and he said to the men, ‘I am the person that you are looking for. Why have you come here?’

22 The men answered him, ‘The Roman officer who is called Cornelius has sent us to you. He is a good man and he obeys God's Law. All the Jewish people respect him. An angel from God told him to send us to you with a message. Then we should bring you to Cornelius's house so that he could hear what you have to say.’ 23 Then Peter said to the men, ‘Please come into the house and stay here with us tonight.’

Peter at Cornelius's house

The next day, Peter left Joppa to go to Caesarea with Cornelius's men. Some believers who lived in Joppa travelled with them. 24 The next day, Peter arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was ready to meet Peter and the other men. He told his family and his special friends to come to his house. They were all waiting to meet Peter. 25 When Peter arrived at the house, Cornelius went out to meet him. He went down on his knees in front of Peter to worship him. 26 But Peter lifted Cornelius up from the ground and he said to him, ‘Stand up. I am only a man, like you are.’

27 Peter continued to talk to Cornelius and they went into the house. Peter saw that many people had come together there in the house. 28 He said to them, ‘You all know that we Jews do not become friends with Gentiles. Our Jewish laws do not let us visit the homes of Gentiles. But God has now shown me something different. I should not say about anyone that God will not accept them. [ g ] 29 So when you asked me to come here, I was happy to come. I knew that it was right. So tell me now. Why did you ask me to come?’

30 Then Cornelius said, ‘Three days ago, I was in my house at this time of the day. It was three o'clock in the afternoon and I was praying to God. Suddenly, a man appeared and he stood in front of me. He was wearing bright clothes that shone. 31 The man said to me, “Cornelius, you have prayed to God and you have often given money to poor people. Now God wants to answer you. 32 So send some men to Joppa to fetch a man who is called Simon Peter. He is staying there at the house of Simon the tanner. His house is near the sea.” 33 So I sent some men immediately to bring you here. Thank you that you agreed to come. Now we are all here together, and God is with us. We are ready to listen to your message. Please tell us everything that the Lord God has told you to say.’

Peter speaks to Cornelius and to his family and friends

34 Then Peter said to them, ‘Now I understand that God accepts all people in the same way. God has shown me that this is true. 35 God accepts all people who worship him and who do the right things. It is not important to God which nation a person belongs to. 36 This is the message that God has sent to the people of Israel. He told us the good news about Jesus Christ, who is the Lord of all people. Because of Jesus, we can now come near to God again. 37 You know about the important things that have happened everywhere in Judea. These things began in Galilee after John spoke God's message to the people. He baptized those people who believed in God. 38 You know that God chose Jesus to do special work for him. He gave Jesus his Holy Spirit and helped him to do powerful things. Jesus came from the town of Nazareth. He travelled to many places and he did good things. The Devil had power over some people. But Jesus caused all those people to become well again. He could do those powerful things because God was with him.

39 We saw everything that Jesus did in Jerusalem and in all Judea. The leaders in Jerusalem fixed Jesus to a cross and they killed him. 40 But then, three days after that, God caused Jesus to become alive again. God caused him to appear to us. 41 Not all the people saw him. God chose us to be Jesus' apostles and we saw him. Now we are telling people about all these things. We ate and we drank with Jesus after he became alive again. 42 At that time, Jesus said to us, “Go and tell people the message about me. Tell them that God has given me authority to judge all people. I will judge those who are now alive. And I will judge those who have died.” ’ 43 Then Peter said, ‘All of God's prophets spoke about Jesus as God's Messiah. They said that God would forgive everyone who believes in him. He would forgive them for their sins because of what Jesus, the Messiah, would do.’

Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit

44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all the people who were listening to his message. 45 The Jewish believers who had come from Joppa with Peter were very surprised. They saw that God had now freely given his Holy Spirit to Gentiles. 46 They heard the new believers speaking in strange languages. They were also praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 ‘God has clearly given his Holy Spirit to these people, in the same way that he gave him to us. So we should now baptize them with water. You surely agree that this is the right thing to do.’ 48 So Peter told the Jewish believers to baptize the new believers. They spoke the name of Jesus Christ when they baptized them. After that, Cornelius asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. 10:2 Cornelius was a not a Jew. But he believed in God and he obeyed the Law of Moses. His family and all his servants also obeyed God.
  2. 10:3 Three o'clock in the afternoon was a time when the Jews prayed to God. Cornelius was praying when he saw the angel in his dream.
  3. 10:6 A ‘tanner’ is someone who works with animal skins to make leather.
  4. 10:8 Joppa was about 50 kilometres from Caesarea.
  5. 10:9 In those days, in Israel, all the houses had flat roofs. People sat up there after they had finished working. It was quiet there.
  6. 10:14 We can read about these laws in Leviticus 11 . The animals inside the cloth included animals that these laws would not allow a Jew to eat.
  7. 10:28 Peter now understood more about his own dream. He knew that God was teaching him something. The dream was a message from God about all people. All people can be believers. People can be either Jews or Gentiles. God will accept everyone.

Peter and Cornelius

10 In the city of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a Roman army officer in what was called the Italian Unit. 2 He was a religious man. He and all the others who lived in his house were worshipers of the true God. He gave much of his money to help the poor people and always prayed to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, Cornelius had a vision. He clearly saw an angel from God coming to him and saying, “Cornelius!”

4 Staring at the angel and feeling afraid, Cornelius said, “What do you want, sir?”

The angel said to him, “God has heard your prayers and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done. 5 Send some men now to the city of Joppa to get a man named Simon, who is also called Peter. 6 He is staying with someone also named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.” 7 The angel who spoke to Cornelius left. Then Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier. The soldier was a religious man, one of his close helpers. 8 Cornelius explained everything to these three men and sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day they were coming near Joppa about noon, when Peter was going up to the roof to pray. 10 He was hungry and wanted to eat. But while they were preparing the food for Peter to eat, he had a vision. 11 He saw something coming down through the open sky. It looked like a big sheet being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill anything here and eat it.”

14 But Peter said, “I can’t do that, Lord! I have never eaten anything that is not pure or fit to be used for food.”

15 But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things pure. Don’t say they are unfit to eat.” 16 This happened three times. Then the whole thing was taken back up into heaven. 17 Peter wondered what this vision meant.

The men Cornelius sent had found Simon’s house. They were standing at the door. 18 They asked, “Is Simon Peter staying here?”

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Listen, three men are looking for you. 20 Get up and go downstairs. Go with these men without wondering if it’s all right, because I sent them.” 21 So Peter went downstairs and said to them, “I think I’m the man you are looking for. Why did you come here?”

22 The men said, “A holy angel told Cornelius to invite you to his house. He is an army officer. He is a good man, one who worships God, and all the Jewish people respect him. The angel told him to invite you to his house so that he can listen to what you have to say.” 23 Peter asked the men to come in and stay for the night.

The next day Peter got ready and went away with the three men. Some of the believers from Joppa went with him. 24 The next day they came to the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had already gathered his relatives and close friends at his house.

25 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him. He fell down at Peter’s feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter told him to get up. Peter said, “Stand up! I am only a man like you.” 27 Peter continued talking with Cornelius. Then Peter went inside and saw a large group of people gathered there.

28 Peter said to the people, “You understand that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not consider anyone unfit or say they are not pure. 29 That’s why I didn’t argue when your men asked me to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time—three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly there was someone standing before me wearing bright, shiny clothes. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done. 32 So send some men to the city of Joppa and tell Simon Peter to come. He is staying with another man named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately. It was very good of you to come here. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Peter Speaks in the House of Cornelius

34 Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that God does not consider some people to be better than others. 35 He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from. 36 God has spoken to the people of Israel. He sent them the Good News that peace has come through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all people.

37 “You know what has happened all over Judea. It began in Galilee after John told the people they needed to be baptized. 38 You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.

39 “We saw all that Jesus did in Judea and in Jerusalem. But he was killed. They put him on a cross made of wood. 40 But on the third day after his death, God raised him to life and let him be seen openly. 41 He was not seen by everyone, but only by us, the ones God had already chosen to be witnesses. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from death.

42 “Jesus told us to go and speak to the people. He told us to tell them that he is the one God chose to be the Judge of all who are living and all who have died. 43 Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. All the prophets agree that this is true.”

God Shows That He Accepts All People

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his speech. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit had been poured out as a gift also to people who were not Jews. 46 They heard them speaking different languages and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “How can anyone object to these people being baptized in water? They have received the Holy Spirit the same as we did!” 48 So Peter told them to baptize Cornelius and his relatives and friends in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

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

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

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

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

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And 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,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now there was a man in ( A ) Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was ( B ) called the Italian [ a ] cohort, 2 a devout man and ( C ) one who feared God with all his household, and ( D ) made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About ( E ) the [ b ] ninth hour of the day he clearly saw ( F ) in a vision ( G ) an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And he ( H ) looked at him intently and became terrified, and said, “What is it, lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and charitable gifts ( I ) have ascended ( J ) as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now dispatch some men to ( K ) Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named ( L ) Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who *spoke to him left, he summoned two of his [ c ] servants and a devout soldier from his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to ( M ) Joppa.

9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, ( N ) Peter went up on ( O ) the [ d ] housetop about [ e ] ( P ) the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he ( Q ) fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw ( R ) the sky opened up, and an [ f ] object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and on it were all kinds of four-footed animals and [ g ] crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, [ h ] kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, ( S ) Lord, for ( T ) I have never eaten anything [ i ] unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “ ( U ) What God has cleansed, no longer [ j ] consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the [ k ] object was taken up into the sky.

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [ l ] mind as to what ( V ) the vision which he had seen might [ m ] mean, behold, ( W ) the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on ( X ) the vision, ( Y ) the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [ n ] three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and ( Z ) accompany them [ o ] without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and ( AA ) God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, ( AB ) was divinely directed by a ( AC ) holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear [ p ] ( AD ) a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Peter in Caesarea

Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and ( AE ) some of ( AF ) the brothers from ( AG ) Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered ( AH ) Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and [ q ] ( AI ) worshiped him . 26 But Peter helped him up, saying, “ ( AJ ) Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found ( AK ) many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is ( AL ) forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a [ r ] foreigner; and yet ( AM ) God has shown me that I am not to call any person [ s ] unholy or unclean. 29 That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “ ( AN ) Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during ( AO ) the [ t ] ninth hour; and behold, ( AP ) a man stood before me in shining clothing, 31 and he *said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send some men to ( AQ ) Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent men to you immediately, and you have [ u ] been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear everything that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

Gentiles Hear Good News

34 ( AR ) Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that ( AS ) God is not one to show partiality, 35 but ( AT ) in every nation the one who [ v ] ( AU ) fears Him and [ w ] does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, ( AV ) preaching [ x ] ( AW ) peace through Jesus Christ (He is ( AX ) Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 [ y ] You know of ( AY ) Jesus of Nazareth, how God ( AZ ) anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [ z ] ( BA ) and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for ( BB ) God was with Him. 39 We are ( BC ) witnesses of all the things that He did both in the [ aa ] country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on [ ab ] ( BD ) a cross. 40 ( BE ) God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He [ ac ] be revealed, 41 ( BF ) not to all the people, but to ( BG ) witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is , to us ( BH ) who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ( BI ) ordered us to [ ad ] preach to the people, and to ( BJ ) testify solemnly that this is the One who has been ( BK ) appointed by God as ( BL ) Judge of the living and the dead. 43 ( BM ) All the prophets testify of Him, that through ( BN ) His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, ( BO ) the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the [ ae ] message. 45 ( BP ) All the [ af ] Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been ( BQ ) poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them ( BR ) speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 “ ( BS ) Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who ( BT ) have received the Holy Spirit just as we did , can he?” 48 And he ( BU ) ordered them to be baptized ( BV ) in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  2. Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
  3. Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
  4. Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
  5. Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
  6. Acts 10:11 Or vessel
  7. Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
  8. Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
  9. Acts 10:14 Or profane ; lit common
  10. Acts 10:15 Lit make common
  11. Acts 10:16 Or vessel
  12. Acts 10:17 Lit himself
  13. Acts 10:17 Lit be
  14. Acts 10:19 One early ms two
  15. Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
  16. Acts 10:22 Lit words
  17. Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
  18. Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
  19. Acts 10:28 Or profane ; lit common
  20. Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
  21. Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
  22. Acts 10:35 Or reveres
  23. Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
  24. Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
  25. Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
  26. Acts 10:38 Lit who went
  27. Acts 10:39 Or countryside
  28. Acts 10:39 Lit wood ; see Deut 21:23
  29. Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
  30. Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
  31. Acts 10:44 Lit word
  32. Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea ( A ) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; ( B ) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon ( C ) he had a vision. ( D ) He distinctly saw an angel ( E ) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering ( F ) before God. ( G ) 5 Now send men to Joppa ( H ) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, ( I ) whose house is by the sea.”

7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. ( J )

Peter’s Vision ( K )

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof ( L ) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ( M ) 11 He saw heaven opened ( N ) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!” ( O ) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ( P )

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” ( Q )

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, ( R ) the men sent by Cornelius ( S ) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, ( T ) the Spirit said ( U ) to him, “Simon, three [ a ] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” ( V )

21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, ( W ) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” ( X ) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers ( Y ) from Joppa went along. ( Z ) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. ( AA ) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.” ( AB )

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ( AC ) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. ( AD ) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. ( AE ) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes ( AF ) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ( AG ) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. ( AH ) 36 You know the message ( AI ) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news ( AJ ) of peace ( AK ) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ( AL ) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed ( AM ) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing ( AN ) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. ( AO )

39 “We are witnesses ( AP ) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, ( AQ ) 40 but God raised him from the dead ( AR ) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, ( AS ) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate ( AT ) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people ( AU ) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ( AV ) 43 All the prophets testify about him ( AW ) that everyone ( AX ) who believes ( AY ) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” ( AZ )

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on ( BA ) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter ( BB ) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out ( BC ) even on Gentiles. ( BD ) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues [ b ] ( BE ) and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. ( BF ) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” ( BG ) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. ( BH ) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two ; other manuscripts do not have the number.
  2. Acts 10:46 Or other languages
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