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

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 who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

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

3 A bout the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to 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 observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have 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 N ow send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

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

6 H e is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must 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 who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who 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 S o when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. Peter’s Vision

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

9 T he next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on 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 T hen he became very hungry and wanted to eat; 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 an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him 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 I n it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds 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 a voice came 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 anything common or unclean.”

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

15 A nd a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

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

16 T his was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again. Summoned to Caesarea

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

17 N ow while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry 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 they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

They called to ask if Simon Peter was staying there.

19 W hile Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you.

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, go 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 who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you 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, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

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 he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him. Peter Meets Cornelius

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 following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close 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 s Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

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

26 B ut Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also 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 who had come together.

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

28 T hen he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown 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 I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you 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 S o 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, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered 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 Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’

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 S o I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.” Preaching to Cornelius’ Household

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: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

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

35 B ut in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by 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 to the children of Israel, preaching peace through 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 you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, 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 Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by 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 killed by hanging 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 on the third day, and showed 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 to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose 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 to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the 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 all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

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 was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

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

45 A nd those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

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 Peter answered,

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

47 “ Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? ”

“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 they asked him to stay a few 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.