The Sabbath Emphasized

35 Then Moses assembled all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and said to them, “(A)These are the things that the Lord has commanded you to [a]do:

(B)For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, (C)a Sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; (D)whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. (E)You shall not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying, (F)Take from among you a [b]contribution to the Lord; whoever is of a willing heart is to bring it as the Lords [c]contribution: gold, silver, and [d]bronze, and [e]violet, purple, and scarlet material, fine linen, goats’ hair, and rams’ skins [f]dyed red, and [g]fine leather, and acacia wood, and oil for lighting, and spices for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the [h]breastpiece.

Tabernacle Artisans

10 (G)Have every skillful person among you come and make all that the Lord has commanded: 11 the [i](H)tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; 12 the (I)ark and its poles, the [j]atoning cover, and the covering curtain; 13 the (J)table and its poles, and all its [k]utensils, and the bread of the [l]Presence; 14 the (K)lampstand also for the light and its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the (L)altar of incense and its poles, and the (M)anointing oil and the (N)fragrant incense, and the curtain for the doorway at the [m]entrance of the tabernacle; 16 (O)the altar of burnt offering with its [n]bronze grating, its poles, and all its [o]utensils, the basin and its stand; 17 (P)the hangings of the courtyard, its pillars and its bases, and the curtain for the gate of the courtyard; 18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the courtyard and their ropes; 19 the [p](Q)woven garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to serve as priests.’”

Gifts Received

20 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel departed from Moses’ presence. 21 And (R)everyone whose heart [q]stirred him and everyone whose spirit [r]moved him came and brought the Lords [s]contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 Then all [t]whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and [u]earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did everyone who [v]presented an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 Everyone [w]who was in possession of violet, purple, or scarlet material or fine linen or goats’ hair, or rams’ skins [x]dyed red or fine leather, brought them. 24 Everyone who could make a [y]contribution of silver and [z]bronze brought the Lords [aa]contribution; and everyone [ab]who was in possession of acacia wood for any work of the service brought it. 25 And all the [ac]skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in violet, purple, and scarlet material, and in fine linen. 26 And all the women whose heart [ad]stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers, moreover, brought the onyx stones and the stones for setting for the ephod and for the [ae]breastpiece; 28 and (S)the spice and the oil for the light and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 The [af]Israelites, all the men and women, whose heart [ag]moved them to bring material for all the work, which the Lord had commanded through Moses to be done, brought a (T)[ah]voluntary offering to the Lord.

30 (U)Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all [ai]craftsmanship; 32 to create [aj]designs for working in gold, in silver, and in [ak]bronze, 33 and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. 34 He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and (V)Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 (W)He has filled them with [al]skill to perform every work of an engraver, of a designer, and of an embroiderer, in violet, purple, and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.

The Tabernacle Underwritten

36 “Now Bezalel, Oholiab, and every [am]skillful person in whom the Lord has put [an]skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work [ao]in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with everything that the Lord has commanded.”

Then Moses called Bezalel, Oholiab, and every [ap]skillful person in [aq]whom the Lord had put [ar]skill, (X)everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. They received from Moses every [as]contribution which the sons of Israel had brought to perform [at]the work [au]in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him [av]voluntary offerings every morning. And all the [aw]skillful people who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from [ax]the work which they were performing, and they said to [ay]Moses, “(Y)The people are bringing much more than enough for the [az]construction work which the Lord commanded us to [ba]perform.” So Moses issued a command, and circulated a [bb]proclamation throughout the camp, saying, “No man or woman is to perform work any longer for the [bc]contributions of the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing any more. (Z)For the [bd]material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it.

Construction Begins

(AA)All the [be]skillful people among those who were performing the work made the [bf]tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twisted linen and [bg]violet, purple, and scarlet material, with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer, [bh]Bezalel made them. The length of each curtain was [bi]twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains had [bj]the same measurements. 10 He [bk]joined five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he [bl]joined to one another. 11 And he made loops of violet on the edge of the [bm]outermost curtain in the first [bn]set; he did likewise on the edge of the curtain that was [bo]outermost in the second [bp]set. 12 He made (AB)fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops on the [bq]edge of the curtain that was in the second [br]set; the loops were opposite each other. 13 He also made (AC)fifty clasps of gold, and [bs]joined the curtains to one another with the clasps, so that the tabernacle was [bt]a unit.

14 Then (AD)he made curtains of goats’ hair for a tent over the tabernacle; he [bu]made eleven curtains in all. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits was the width of each curtain; the eleven curtains had [bv]the same measurements. 16 He [bw]joined five curtains by themselves, and the other six curtains by themselves. 17 Moreover, he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the first [bx]set, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second [by]set. 18 He also made fifty clasps of [bz]bronze to [ca]join the tent together so that it would be [cb]a unit. 19 And he made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins [cc]dyed red, and a covering of [cd]fine leather above.

20 (AE)Then he made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 21 Ten cubits was the length of [ce]each board, and one and a half cubits the width of each board. 22 There were two tenons for each board, [cf]fitted to one another; he did this to all the boards of the tabernacle. 23 So he made the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards [cg]for the south side; 24 and he made forty bases of silver under the twenty boards; two bases under one board for its two tenons, and two bases under another board for its two tenons. 25 Then for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards, 26 and their forty bases of silver; two bases under one board, and two bases under another board. 27 And for the [ch]back of the tabernacle, to the west, he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the [ci]tabernacle at the [cj]back. 29 They were double beneath, and together they were complete to its [ck]top, [cl]to the first ring; he did this with both of them for the two corners. 30 There were eight boards with their bases of silver, sixteen bases, two bases under every board.

31 Then he made (AF)bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the [cm]other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the [cn]back side to the west. 33 And he made the middle bar to pass through in the [co]center of the boards from end to end. 34 Then he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 (AG)Moreover, he made the veil of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen; he made it with cherubim, the work of a skilled embroiderer. 36 And he made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold, with their hooks of gold; and he cast four bases of silver for them. 37 He also made a (AH)curtain for the doorway of the tent, of violet, purple, and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen, the work of a [cp]weaver; 38 and he made its (AI)five pillars with their hooks, and he overlaid their tops and their [cq]bands with gold; but their five bases were of [cr]bronze.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 35:1 Lit do them
  2. Exodus 35:5 Or uplifted offering
  3. Exodus 35:5 Or uplifted offering
  4. Exodus 35:5 Or copper
  5. Exodus 35:6 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color, and so throughout the ch
  6. Exodus 35:7 Or tanned
  7. Exodus 35:7 Meaning of the Heb uncertain, and so throughout the ch
  8. Exodus 35:9 Or pouch
  9. Exodus 35:11 Lit dwelling place
  10. Exodus 35:12 Also called mercy seat; i.e., where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement
  11. Exodus 35:13 Or vessels
  12. Exodus 35:13 Lit Face
  13. Exodus 35:15 Or doorway
  14. Exodus 35:16 Or copper
  15. Exodus 35:16 Or vessels
  16. Exodus 35:19 Or service garments
  17. Exodus 35:21 Lit lifted him up
  18. Exodus 35:21 Or made him willing
  19. Exodus 35:21 Or uplifted offering
  20. Exodus 35:22 Or who were willing-hearted
  21. Exodus 35:22 Or nose rings
  22. Exodus 35:22 Lit waved a wave offering
  23. Exodus 35:23 Lit with whom was found
  24. Exodus 35:23 Or tanned
  25. Exodus 35:24 Or uplifted offering
  26. Exodus 35:24 Or copper
  27. Exodus 35:24 Or uplifted offering
  28. Exodus 35:24 Lit with whom was found
  29. Exodus 35:25 Lit women wise of heart
  30. Exodus 35:26 Lit lifted them up in wisdom
  31. Exodus 35:27 Or pouch
  32. Exodus 35:29 Lit sons of Israel
  33. Exodus 35:29 Lit made them willing
  34. Exodus 35:29 Or freewill offering
  35. Exodus 35:31 Or work
  36. Exodus 35:32 Lit devices
  37. Exodus 35:32 Or copper
  38. Exodus 35:35 Lit wisdom of heart
  39. Exodus 36:1 Lit man wise of heart
  40. Exodus 36:1 Lit wisdom
  41. Exodus 36:1 Or connected with the service of; lit of the service of
  42. Exodus 36:2 Lit man wise of heart
  43. Exodus 36:2 Lit whose heart
  44. Exodus 36:2 Lit wisdom
  45. Exodus 36:3 Or uplifted offering
  46. Exodus 36:3 Lit it for the work
  47. Exodus 36:3 Lit of the service of
  48. Exodus 36:3 Or freewill offering
  49. Exodus 36:4 Lit wise
  50. Exodus 36:4 Lit his
  51. Exodus 36:5 Lit Moses, saying,
  52. Exodus 36:5 Lit service for the work
  53. Exodus 36:5 Lit perform it
  54. Exodus 36:6 Lit voice
  55. Exodus 36:6 Or uplifted offering
  56. Exodus 36:7 Lit work
  57. Exodus 36:8 Lit wise of heart
  58. Exodus 36:8 Lit dwelling place
  59. Exodus 36:8 Or bluish; LXX hyacinth in color, and so throughout the ch
  60. Exodus 36:8 Lit he
  61. Exodus 36:9 About 42 ft. long and 6 ft. wide or 13 m and 1.8 m
  62. Exodus 36:9 Lit one measure
  63. Exodus 36:10 Or coupled
  64. Exodus 36:10 Or coupled
  65. Exodus 36:11 Lit one curtain from the end in the coupling
  66. Exodus 36:11 Lit coupling
  67. Exodus 36:11 Lit one curtain from the end in the coupling
  68. Exodus 36:11 Lit coupling
  69. Exodus 36:12 Lit end
  70. Exodus 36:12 Lit coupling
  71. Exodus 36:13 Or coupled
  72. Exodus 36:13 Lit one
  73. Exodus 36:14 Lit made them
  74. Exodus 36:15 Lit one measure
  75. Exodus 36:16 Or coupled
  76. Exodus 36:17 Lit tie
  77. Exodus 36:17 Lit tie
  78. Exodus 36:18 Or copper
  79. Exodus 36:18 Or couple
  80. Exodus 36:18 Lit one
  81. Exodus 36:19 Or tanned
  82. Exodus 36:19 Meaning of the Heb uncertain
  83. Exodus 36:21 Lit the
  84. Exodus 36:22 Lit bound
  85. Exodus 36:23 Lit to the side of the Negev, to the south
  86. Exodus 36:27 Lit far parts
  87. Exodus 36:28 Lit dwelling place
  88. Exodus 36:28 Lit far parts
  89. Exodus 36:29 Or head
  90. Exodus 36:29 Or with reference to
  91. Exodus 36:32 Or second
  92. Exodus 36:32 Lit far parts
  93. Exodus 36:33 Lit midst
  94. Exodus 36:37 Lit variegator; i.e., a weaver in colors
  95. Exodus 36:38 Or rings
  96. Exodus 36:38 Or copper

Sabbath Regulations

35 Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded(A) you to do: For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath(B) rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.(C) Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.(D)

Materials for the Tabernacle(E)(F)

Moses said to the whole Israelite community, “This is what the Lord has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[a]; acacia wood; olive oil(G) for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

10 “All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded:(H) 11 the tabernacle(I) with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; 12 the ark(J) with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain(K) that shields it; 13 the table(L) with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand(M) that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; 15 the altar(N) of incense with its poles, the anointing oil(O) and the fragrant incense;(P) the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle;(Q) 16 the altar(R) of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin(S) with its stand; 17 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;(T) 18 the tent pegs(U) for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary—both the sacred garments(V) for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. 23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn(W) or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. 25 Every skilled woman(X) spun with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 27 The leaders(Y) brought onyx stones and other gems(Z) to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.(AA) 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing(AB) brought to the Lord freewill offerings(AC) for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.

Bezalel and Oholiab(AD)

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills(AE) 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab(AF) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach(AG) others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work(AH) as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. 36 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person(AI) to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary(AJ) are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”

Then Moses summoned Bezalel(AK) and Oholiab(AL) and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing(AM) to come and do the work. They received from Moses all the offerings(AN) the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough(AO) for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more(AP) than enough to do all the work.

The Tabernacle(AQ)

All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands. All the curtains were the same size—twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] 10 They joined five of the curtains together and did the same with the other five. 11 Then they made loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and the same was done with the end curtain in the other set. 12 They also made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 13 Then they made fifty gold clasps and used them to fasten the two sets of curtains together so that the tabernacle was a unit.(AR)

14 They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven altogether. 15 All eleven curtains were the same size—thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[c] 16 They joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. 18 They made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the tent together as a unit.(AS) 19 Then they made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[d]

20 They made upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[e] 22 with two projections set parallel to each other. They made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 23 They made twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 24 and made forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 25 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, they made twenty frames 26 and forty silver bases—two under each frame. 27 They made six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 28 and two frames were made for the corners of the tabernacle at the far end. 29 At these two corners the frames were double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both were made alike. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases—two under each frame.

31 They also made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 33 They made the center crossbar so that it extended from end to end at the middle of the frames. 34 They overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. They also overlaid the crossbars with gold.

35 They made the curtain(AT) of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 36 They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold. They made gold hooks for them and cast their four silver bases. 37 For the entrance to the tent they made a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer;(AU) 38 and they made five posts with hooks for them. They overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold and made their five bases of bronze.

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 35:7 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verse 23
  2. Exodus 36:9 That is, about 42 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 13 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  3. Exodus 36:15 That is, about 45 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 14 meters long and 1.8 meters wide
  4. Exodus 36:19 Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals (see 35:7)
  5. Exodus 36:21 That is, about 15 feet long and 2 1/4 feet wide or about 4.5 meters long and 68 centimeters wide

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now there was a man in (A)Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was (B)called the Italian [a]cohort, 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. 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!” 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. Now dispatch some men to (K)Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; he is staying with a tanner named (L)Simon, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who *spoke to him left, he summoned two of his [c]servants and a devout soldier from his personal attendants, and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to (M)Joppa.

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

  1. Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  2. Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
  3. Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
  4. Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
  5. Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
  6. Acts 10:11 Or vessel
  7. Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
  8. Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
  9. Acts 10:14 Or profane; lit common
  10. Acts 10:15 Lit make common
  11. Acts 10:16 Or vessel
  12. Acts 10:17 Lit himself
  13. Acts 10:17 Lit be
  14. Acts 10:19 One early ms two
  15. Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
  16. Acts 10:22 Lit words
  17. Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
  18. Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
  19. Acts 10:28 Or profane; lit common
  20. Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
  21. Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
  22. Acts 10:35 Or reveres
  23. Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
  24. Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
  25. Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
  26. Acts 10:38 Lit who went
  27. Acts 10:39 Or countryside
  28. Acts 10:39 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  29. Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
  30. Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
  31. Acts 10:44 Lit word
  32. Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision

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