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 Sends a Delegation

10 There was a certain man in (A)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [a]Regiment, (B)a devout man and one who (C)feared God with all his household, who gave [b]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About [c]the ninth hour of the day (D)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

And 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. Now (E)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with (F)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (G)He[d] will tell you what you must do.” And 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. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (H)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [e]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and (I)saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! (J)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (K)“What God has [f]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Summoned to Caesarea

17 Now while Peter [g]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. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter thought about the vision, (L)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (M)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

21 Then Peter went down to the men [h]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and (N)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.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.

On the next day Peter went away with them, (O)and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Meets Cornelius

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (P)“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how (Q)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (R)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

30 So Cornelius said, [i]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (S)a man stood before me (T)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (U)your prayer has been heard, and (V)your [j]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [k]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So 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

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: (W)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (X)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (Y)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [l]children of Israel, (Z)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(AA)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (AB)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (AC)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (AD)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (AE)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (AF)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [m]they (AG)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (AH)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (AI)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (AJ)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (AK)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (AL)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (AM)of the living and the dead. 43 (AN)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (AO)whoever believes in Him will receive (AP)remission[n] of sins.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (AQ)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (AR)And [o]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (AS)because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit (AT)just as we have? 48 (AU)And he commanded them to be baptized (AV)in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:1 Cohort
  2. Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
  3. Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
  4. Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
  5. Acts 10:9 Noon
  6. Acts 10:15 Declared clean
  7. Acts 10:17 was perplexed
  8. Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
  9. Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
  10. Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
  11. Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
  12. Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
  13. Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
  14. Acts 10:43 forgiveness
  15. Acts 10:45 The Jews

10 But a certain man in Caesarea,—by name Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italic,

pious, and fearing God with all his house, [both] giving much alms to the people, and supplicating God continually,

—saw plainly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius.

But he, having fixed his eyes upon him, and become full of fear, said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter.

He lodges with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.

And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, having called two of his household and a pious soldier of those who were constantly with him,

and related all things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

And on the morrow, as these were journeying and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the house to pray, about the sixth hour.

10 And he became hungry and desired to eat. But as they were making ready an ecstasy came upon him:

11 and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, [bound] by [the] four corners [and] let down to the earth;

12 in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth, and the fowls of the heaven.

13 And there was a voice to him, Rise, Peter, slay and eat.

14 And Peter said, In no wise, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean.

15 And [there was] a voice again the second time to him, What God has cleansed, do not *thou* make common.

16 And this took place thrice, and the vessel was straightway taken up into heaven.

17 And as Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold also the men who were sent by Cornelius, having sought out the house of Simon, stood at the gate,

18 and having called [some one], they inquired if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodged there.

19 But as Peter continued pondering over the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek thee;

20 but rise up, go down, and go with them, nothing doubting, because *I* have sent them.

21 And Peter going down to the men said, Behold, *I* am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye come?

22 And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man, and fearing God, and borne witness to by the whole nation of the Jews, has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, and hear words from thee.

23 Having therefore invited them in, he lodged them. And on the morrow, rising up he went away with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him.

24 And on the morrow they came to Caesarea. But Cornelius was looking for them, having called together his kinsmen and [his] intimate friends.

25 And when Peter was now coming in, Cornelius met him, and falling down did [him] homage.

26 But Peter made him rise, saying, Rise up: *I* myself also am a man.

27 And he went in, talking with him, and found many gathered together.

28 And he said to them, *Ye* know how it is unlawful for a Jew to be joined or come to one of a strange race, and to *me* God has shewn to call no man common or unclean.

29 Wherefore also, having been sent for, I came without saying anything against it. I inquire therefore for what reason ye have sent for me.

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I had been [fasting] unto this hour, and the ninth [I was] praying in my house, and lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 and said, Cornelius, thy prayer has been heard, and thy alms have come in remembrance before God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea [who when he is come will speak to thee].

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and *thou* hast well done in coming. Now therefore *we* are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons,

35 but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.

36 The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (*he* is Lord of all things,)

37 *ye* know; the testimony which has spread through the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached—

38 Jesus who [was] of Nazareth: how God anointed him with [the] Holy Spirit and with power; who went through [all quarters] doing good, and healing all that were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39 *We* also [are] witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also slew, having hanged him on a cross.

40 This [man] God raised up the third day and gave him to be openly seen,

41 not of all the people, but of witnesses who were chosen before of God, *us* who have eaten and drunk with him after he arose from among [the] dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that *he* it is who was determinately appointed of God [to be] judge of living and dead.

43 To him all the prophets bear witness that every one that believes on him will receive through his name remission of sins.

44 While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word.

45 And the faithful of the circumcision were astonished, as many as came with Peter, that upon the nations also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out:

46 for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

47 Can any one forbid water that these should not be baptised, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also [did]?

48 And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay some days.