1 G1161 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 G1161 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 unto 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 G1161 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 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 of 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 .
