Acts 10
New American Standard Bible
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
- Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
- Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
- Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
- Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
- Acts 10:11 Or vessel
- Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
- Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
- Acts 10:14 Or profane; lit common
- Acts 10:15 Lit make common
- Acts 10:16 Or vessel
- Acts 10:17 Lit himself
- Acts 10:17 Lit be
- Acts 10:19 One early ms two
- Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
- Acts 10:22 Lit words
- Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
- Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
- Acts 10:28 Or profane; lit common
- Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
- Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
- Acts 10:35 Or reveres
- Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
- Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
- Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
- Acts 10:38 Lit who went
- Acts 10:39 Or countryside
- Acts 10:39 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
- Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
- Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
- Acts 10:44 Lit word
- Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision
Acts 10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Peter and Cornelius
10 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2 He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3 One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.”(A) 4 He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.(B) 5 Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.”(C) 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8 and after telling them everything he sent them to Joppa.
9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.(D) 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while it was being prepared he fell into a trance.(E) 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners.(F) 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.”(G) 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”(H) 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.
17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate.(I) 18 They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three[a] men are searching for you.(J) 20 Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous[b] and God-fearing man who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish people, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”(K) 23 So Peter[c] invited them in and gave them lodging.
The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the brothers and sisters from Joppa accompanied him.(L) 24 The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 On Peter’s arrival, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.”(M) 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled, 28 and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is improper for a Jew to associate with or to visit an outsider, but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.(N) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. 31 He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”
Gentiles Hear the Good News
34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality,(O) 35 but in every people anyone who fears him and practices righteousness[d] is acceptable to him.(P) 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.(Q) 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.(R) 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,(S) 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear,(T) 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.(U) 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.(V) 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(W)
Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.(X) 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the gentiles,(Y) 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”(Z) 48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.(AA)
Acts 10
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
10 And there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band;
2 A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God.
3 This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him: Cornelius.
4 And he, beholding him, being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.
5 And now send men to Joppe, and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do.
7 And when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him.
8 To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe.
9 And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.
10 And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind.
11 And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; kill and eat.
14 But Peter said: Far be it from me; for I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean.
15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common.
16 And this was done thrice; and presently the vessel was taken up into heaven.
17 Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself, what the vision that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate.
18 And when they had called, they asked, if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee.
20 Arise, therefore, get thee down and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are come?
22 Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following he arose, and went with them: and some of the brethren from Joppe accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends.
25 And it came to pass, that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet adored.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise, I myself also am a man.
27 And talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said to them: You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean.
29 For which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying in my house, at the ninth hour, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel, and said:
31 Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thy alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.
34 And Peter opening his mouth, said: In very deed I perceive, that God is not a respecter of persons.
35 But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him.
36 God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all.)
37 You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached,
38 Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and with power, who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.
40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,
41 Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead;
42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living and of the dead.
43 To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.
44 While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.
45 And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God.
47 Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.
Acts 10
The Message
Peter’s Vision
10 1-3 There was a man named Cornelius who lived in Caesarea, captain of the Italian Guard stationed there. He was a thoroughly good man. He had led everyone in his house to live worshipfully before God, was always helping people in need, and had the habit of prayer. One day about three o’clock in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel of God, as real as his next-door neighbor, came in and said, “Cornelius.”
4-6 Cornelius stared hard, wondering if he was seeing things. Then he said, “What do you want, sir?”
The angel said, “Your prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. Here’s what you are to do. Send men to Joppa to get Simon, the one everyone calls Peter. He is staying with Simon the Tanner, whose house is down by the sea.”
7-8 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two servants and one particularly devout soldier from the guard. He went over with them in great detail everything that had just happened, and then sent them off to Joppa.
9-13 The next day as the three travelers were approaching the town, Peter went out on the balcony to pray. It was about noon. Peter got hungry and started thinking about lunch. While lunch was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the skies open up. Something that looked like a huge blanket lowered by ropes at its four corners settled on the ground. Every kind of animal and reptile and bird you could think of was on it. Then a voice came: “Go to it, Peter—kill and eat.”
14 Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord. I’ve never so much as tasted food that was not kosher.”
15 The voice came a second time: “If God says it’s okay, it’s okay.”
16 This happened three times, and then the blanket was pulled back up into the skies.
17-20 As Peter, puzzled, sat there trying to figure out what it all meant, the men sent by Cornelius showed up at Simon’s front door. They called in, asking if there was a Simon, also called Peter, staying there. Peter, lost in thought, didn’t hear them, so the Spirit whispered to him, “Three men are knocking at the door looking for you. Get down there and go with them. Don’t ask any questions. I sent them to get you.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I think I’m the man you’re looking for. What’s up?”
22-23 They said, “Captain Cornelius, a God-fearing man well-known for his fair play—ask any Jew in this part of the country—was commanded by a holy angel to get you and bring you to his house so he could hear what you had to say.” Peter invited them in and made them feel at home.
God Plays No Favorites
23-26 The next morning he got up and went with them. Some of his friends from Joppa went along. A day later they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had his relatives and close friends waiting with him. The minute Peter came through the door, Cornelius was up on his feet greeting him—and then down on his face worshiping him! Peter pulled him up and said, “None of that—I’m a man and only a man, no different from you.”
27-29 Talking things over, they went on into the house, where Cornelius introduced Peter to everyone who had come. Peter addressed them, “You know, I’m sure that this is highly irregular. Jews just don’t do this—visit and relax with people of another race. But God has just shown me that no race is better than any other. So the minute I was sent for, I came, no questions asked. But now I’d like to know why you sent for me.”
30-32 Cornelius said, “Four days ago at about this time, midafternoon, I was home praying. Suddenly there was a man right in front of me, flooding the room with light. He said, ‘Cornelius, your daily prayers and neighborly acts have brought you to God’s attention. I want you to send to Joppa to get Simon, the one they call Peter. He’s staying with Simon the Tanner down by the sea.’
33 “So I did it—I sent for you. And you’ve been good enough to come. And now we’re all here in God’s presence, ready to listen to whatever the Master put in your heart to tell us.”
34-36 Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
37-38 “You know the story of what happened in Judea. It began in Galilee after John preached a total life-change. Then Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him.
39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
44-46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
46-48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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