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10 A man was in Caesarea [Forsooth some man was in Caesarea], Cornelius by name, a centurion of the company of knights, that is said of Italy;

a religious man, and dreading the Lord, with all his household; doing many alms to the people, and praying the Lord evermore.

This saw in a vision openly, as in the ninth hour of the day [or noon], an angel of God entering in to him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

And he beheld him, and was adread, and said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thine almsdeeds have ascended up into mind, in the sight of the Lord.

And now send thou men into Joppa [And now send men into Joppa], and call one Simon, that is named Peter.

This is harboured at a man, Simon, currier [currier, or tanner], whose house is beside the sea. This shall say to thee, what it behooveth thee to do.

And when the angel that spake to him, was gone away, he called two men of his house, and a knight that dreaded the Lord, which were at his bidding.[a]

And when he had told to them all these things, he sent them into Joppa.

And on the day following, while they made journey, and approached to the city [and nighed to the city], Peter went up into the highest place of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.

10 And when he was hungered [And when he hungered], he would have eaten. But while they made ready, a ravishing of the Spirit felled on him [an excess of soul, or ravishing of Spirit, fell on him];

11 and he saw heaven opened, and a vessel coming down, as a great sheet with four corners, to be let down from heaven into earth, [and he saw heaven opened, and some vessel coming down, as a great sheet with four cords, for to be sent down from heaven to earth,]

12 in which were all four-footed beasts, and creeping [things] of the earth, and volatiles of heaven [and volatiles of heaven, either of the air].

13 And a voice was made to him, Rise thou, Peter, and slay, and eat.[b]

14 And Peter said, Lord, forbid [Lord, far be it from me], for I never eat any common thing and unclean.

15 And again the second time the voice was made to him, That thing that God hath cleansed, say thou not unclean [That thing that God hath cleansed, thou shalt not say unclean].

16 And this thing was done by thrice; and at once [and anon] the vessel was received again into heaven.

17 And while that Peter doubted within himself, what the vision was that he saw, lo! the men, that were sent from Cornelius, sought the house of Simon, and stood at the gate. [And the while Peter within himself doubted, what the vision was which he saw, lo! the men, that were sent from Cornelius, seeking the house of Simon, stood nigh at the gate.]

18 And when they had called, they asked if Simon, that is named Peter [that was named Peter], had there harbour.

19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Lo! three men seek thee.

20 Therefore rise thou, and go down, and go with them, and doubt thou nothing [and go with them, nothing doubting], for I sent them.

21 And Peter came down to the men, and said, Lo! I am, whom ye seek; what is the cause, for which ye be come [for which ye have come]?

22 And they said, Cornelius, the centurion, a just man, and dreading God, and having good witnessing of all the folk of Jews, took answer of an holy angel, to call thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Therefore he led them in, and received in harbour; and that night they dwelled with him. And in the day following he rose, and went forth with them; and some of the brethren followed him from Joppa [and some of brethren from Joppa followed him], that they be witnesses to Peter.

24 And the tother day he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius abode them, with his cousins, and necessary friends, that were called together [Forsooth Cornelius abode them, with his cousins, and necessary friends called together].

25 And it was done, when Peter was come in [when Peter had entered], Cornelius came meeting him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter raised him, and said, Arise thou, also I myself am a man, as thou. [Peter soothly raised him, saying, Rise, and I myself am a man, as and thou.]

27 And he spake with him, and went in, and found many that were come together. [And he speaking with him, entered in, and found many that came together.]

28 And he said to them, Ye know, how abominable it is to a Jew, to be joined either to come to an alien [Ye know, how abominable it is to a man Jew, to be joined or to come to an alien]; but God showed to me, that no man say a man common, either unclean [or unclean].

29 For which thing I came, when I was called, without doubting. Therefore I ask you, for what cause have ye called me?

30 And Cornelius said, To day, four days into this hour, I was praying and fasting in the ninth hour in mine house. And lo! a man stood before me in a white cloak, [And Cornelius saith, From the fourth day passed till to this hour, I fasting was praying in the ninth hour in mine house. And lo! a man stood before me in a white cloth,]

31 and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine almsdeeds be in mind in the sight of God.

32 Therefore send thou into Joppa [Therefore send into Joppa], and call Simon, that is named Peter; this is harboured in the house of Simon currier, beside the sea. This, when he shall come, shall speak to thee.

33 Therefore at once [Therefore anon] I sent to thee, and thou didest well in coming to us. Now therefore we all be present in thy sight, to hear the words, whatever be commanded to thee of the Lord.

34 And Peter opened his mouth, and said, In truth I have found, that God is no acceptor of persons;

35 but in each folk he that dreadeth God, and worketh rightwiseness, is accept to him [is accepted to him].

36 God sent a word to the children of Israel, showing peace by Jesus Christ; this is Lord of all things [this is the Lord of all men].

37 Ye know the word that is made through all Judaea, and began at Galilee [forsooth beginning from Galilee], after the baptism that John preached, Jesus of Nazareth;

38 how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost, and virtue; which passed forth in doing well [which passed forth in well-doing], and healing all men oppressed of the devil, for God was with him.

39 And we be witnesses of all things, which he did in the country of Jews, and of Jerusalem [and Jerusalem]; whom they slew, hanging on a tree.

40 And God raised this in the third day, and gave him to be made known,

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses before-ordained of God; to us that ate and drank with him, after that he rose again from death [from dead].

42 And he commanded to us to preach to the people, and to witness, that he it is, that is ordained of God doomsman of the quick and of the dead [that is ordained of God doomsman of quick and dead].

43 To this all prophets bear witnessing [To this all prophets bear witness], that all men that believe in him, shall receive remission of sins by his name.

44 And yet while that Peter spake these words, the Holy Ghost felled [fell] on all that heard the word.

45 And the faithful men of circumcision, that came with Peter, wondered [And the faithful of circumcision wondered, that came with Peter], that also into nations the grace of the Holy Ghost is shed out.

46 For they heard them speaking in languages [Forsooth they heard them speak with tongues, or languages], and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

47 Whether any man may forbid water, that these be not baptized, that have also received the Holy Ghost as we [that have received the Holy Ghost as and we]?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they prayed him, that he should dwell with them some days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:7 And when the angel that spake to him, had gone away, he called two men of his house, and a knight dreading the Lord, of them that obeyed to him.
  2. Acts 10:13 And a voice was made to him, Rise, Peter, slay, and eat.

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea(A) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(B) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon(C) he had a vision.(D) He distinctly saw an angel(E) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(F) before God.(G) Now send men to Joppa(H) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner,(I) whose house is by the sea.”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(J)

Peter’s Vision(K)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(L) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(M) 11 He saw heaven opened(N) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!”(O) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(P)

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(Q)

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(R) the men sent by Cornelius(S) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(T) the Spirit said(U) to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(V)

21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(W) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(X) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(Y) from Joppa went along.(Z) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(AA) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”(AB)

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(AC) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.(AD) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(AE) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes(AF) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(AG) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(AH) 36 You know the message(AI) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(AJ) of peace(AK) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(AL) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(AM) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(AN) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(AO)

39 “We are witnesses(AP) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(AQ) 40 but God raised him from the dead(AR) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(AS) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(AT) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(AU) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(AV) 43 All the prophets testify about him(AW) that everyone(AX) who believes(AY) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(AZ)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(BA) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(BB) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(BC) even on Gentiles.(BD) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b](BE) and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(BF) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(BG) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(BH) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
  2. Acts 10:46 Or other languages