1 T here 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 H e 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 A nd 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 A nd now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

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

7 A nd 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 A nd when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 O n 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 A nd he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 A nd 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 W herein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

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

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

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

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

17 N ow 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 A nd called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

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

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

21 T hen 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 A nd 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 T hen called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

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

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

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

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

28 A nd 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 T herefore 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 A nd 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 A nd said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 S end 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 I mmediately 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 T hen Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

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

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

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

38 H ow 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 A nd 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 H im God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 N ot 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 A nd 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 T o him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

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

45 A nd 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 F or they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

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

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