1 T here was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

There was a man in the city of Caesarea by the name of Cornelius. He was a captain of an Italian group of the army.

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.

He and his family were good people and honored God. He gave much money to the people and prayed always to God.

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.

One afternoon about three o’clock he saw in a dream what God wanted him to see. An angel of God came to him and said, “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.

He was afraid as he looked at the angel. He said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel said, “Your prayers and your gifts of money have gone up to God. He has remembered them.

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

Send some men to the city of Joppa and ask Simon Peter to come here.

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.

He is living with Simon, the man who works with leather. His house is by the sea-shore. He will tell you what you must 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;

The angel left him. Then Cornelius called two of his servants and a religious soldier who took care of him.

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

He told what had happened. Then he sent them to Joppa. Peter’s Dream

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:

The next day they went on their way. About noon they were coming near the town. At this time Peter went up on the roof to pray.

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

He became very hungry and wanted something to eat. While they were getting food ready to eat, he saw in a dream things God wanted him to see.

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:

He saw heaven open up and something like a large linen cloth being let down to earth by the four corners.

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

On the cloth were all kinds of four-footed animals and snakes of the earth and birds of the sky.

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

A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill something and eat it.”

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

Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten anything that our Law says is unclean.”

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

The voice said the second time, “What God has made clean you must not say is unclean.”

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

This happened three times. Then it was taken back to heaven. Cornelius’ Men Find Peter

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,

Peter thought about the meaning of the dream. The men that Cornelius had sent came. They were standing by the gate asking about Simon’s house.

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

They called to ask if Simon Peter was staying there.

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

Peter was still thinking about the dream when the Holy Spirit said to him, “See, three men are looking for you.

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

Get up. Go down and go with them. Do not doubt if you should go, because I 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?

Peter went down to the men who had been sent by Cornelius. He said, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you 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.

They said, “Cornelius sent us. He is a captain and a good man and he honors God. The whole Jewish nation can say this is true. An angel from God told him to send for you. He asks you to come to his house. He wants to hear what you have to say.” Peter Goes to Cornelius

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.

Peter asked them to come in and stay with him for the night. The next day he went with them. Some of the brothers from Joppa went along.

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.

The next day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was looking for them. He had gathered all his family and close friends at his house.

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

When Peter came, Cornelius got down at his feet and worshiped him.

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

But Peter raised him up and said, “Get up! I am just a man like you.”

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

As Peter spoke with Cornelius, he went into the house and found a large group of people gathered 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.

Peter said to them, “You know it is against our Law for a Jew to visit a person of another nation. But God has shown me I should not say that any man is 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?

For this reason I came as soon as you sent for me. But I want to ask you why you 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,

Cornelius said, “Four days ago at three o’clock in the afternoon I was praying here in my house. All at once, I saw a man standing in front of me. He had on bright clothes.

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

He said to me, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayers and has remembered your gifts of love.

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.

You must send to Joppa and ask Simon Peter to come here. He is staying at the house of Simon, the man who works with leather. His house is by the sea-shore.’

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.

I sent for you at once. You have done well to come. We are all here and God is with us. We are ready to hear whatever the Lord has told you to say.” Peter Preaches in Cornelius’ House

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

Then Peter said, “I can see, for sure, that God does not respect one person more than another.

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

He is pleased with any man in any nation who honors Him and does what is right.

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

He has sent His Word to the Jews. He told them the Good News of peace through Jesus Christ. Jesus 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;

You know the story yourselves. It was told in all the country of Judea. It began in the country of Galilee after the preaching of John the Baptist.

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.

God gave Jesus of Nazareth the Holy Spirit and power. He went around doing good and healing all who were troubled by the devil because 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:

We have seen and heard everything He did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And yet they killed Him by nailing Him to a cross.

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

God raised Him to life on the third day and made Him to be seen.

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.

Not all the people saw Him but those who were chosen to see Him. We saw Him. We ate and drank with Him after He was raised 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.

He told us to preach to the people and tell them that God gave Christ the right to be the One Who says who is guilty of the living and the dead.

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

All the early preachers spoke of this. Everyone who puts his trust in Christ will have his sins forgiven through His name.” The Holy Spirit Comes to the Family of Cornelius

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

While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all who were hearing his words.

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.

The Jewish followers who had come along with Peter were surprised and wondered because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also given to the people who were not Jews.

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

They heard them speak in special sounds and give thanks to God. Then Peter said,

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

“Will anyone say that these people may not be baptized? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”

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

He gave the word that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for some days.