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Acts 9-11
New American Standard Bible

The Conversion of Saul

9 (A)Now [a]Saul, still (B)breathing [b]threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for (C)letters from him to (D)the synagogues in (E)Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to [c](F)the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and (G)suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and (H)he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and (I)it will be told to you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him (J)stood speechless, (K)hearing the [d]voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and (L)though his eyes were open, he [e]could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into (M)Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in (N)Damascus named (O)Ananias; and the Lord said to him in (P)a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from (Q)Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [f]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (R)lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, (S)how much harm he did to (T)Your [g]saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he (U)has authority from the chief priests to [h]arrest all who (V)call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (W)he is a chosen [i]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before (X)the Gentiles and (Y)kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for (Z)I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after (AA)laying his hands on him said, “(AB)Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be (AC)filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Now (AD)for several days he was with (AE)the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus (AF)in the synagogues, [j]saying, “He is (AG)the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem (AH)destroyed those who (AI)called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the [k]Christ.

23 When (AJ)many days had elapsed, (AK)the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but (AL)their plot became known to Saul. (AM)They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 (AN)When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But (AO)Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had (AP)seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how (AQ)he had (AR)spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, [l]moving about freely in Jerusalem, (AS)speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the [m](AT)Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 Now when (AU)the [n]brothers learned of it, they brought him down to (AV)Caesarea and (AW)sent him away to (AX)Tarsus.

31 So (AY)the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [o]enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it [p]continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to (AZ)the [q]saints who lived at [r](BA)Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, [s]because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [t](BB)Lydda and (BC)Sharon saw him, and they (BD)turned to the Lord.

36 Now in (BE)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means [u]Dorcas); this woman was [v]excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37 But it happened [w]at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (BF)upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near (BG)Joppa, (BH)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (BI)room upstairs; and all the (BJ)widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [x]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BK)sent them all out and (BL)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “(BM)Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling (BN)the [y]saints and (BO)widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over (BP)Joppa, and (BQ)many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed in (BR)Joppa many days with (BS)a tanner named Simon.

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now there was a man in (BT)Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was (BU)called the Italian [z]cohort, 2 a devout man and (BV)one who feared God with all his household, and (BW)made many charitable contributions to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually. 3 About (BX)the [aa]ninth hour of the day he clearly saw (BY)in a vision (BZ)an angel of God who had just come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And he (CA)looked at him intently and became terrified, and said, “What is it, lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and charitable gifts (CB)have ascended (CC)as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now dispatch some men to (CD)Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named (CE)Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who *spoke to him left, he summoned two of his [ab]servants and a devout soldier from his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to (CF)Joppa.

9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, (CG)Peter went up on (CH)the [ac]housetop about [ad](CI)the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he (CJ)fell into a trance; 11 and he *saw (CK)the sky opened up, and an [ae]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 [af]crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, [ag]kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, (CL)Lord, for (CM)I have never eaten anything [ah]unholy and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “(CN)What God has cleansed, no longer [ai]consider unholy.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the [aj]object was taken up into the sky.

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in [ak]mind as to what (CO)the vision which he had seen might [al]mean, behold, (CP)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 (CQ)the vision, (CR)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, [am]three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go downstairs and (CS)accompany them [an]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 (CT)God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, (CU)was divinely directed by a (CV)holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear [ao](CW)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 (CX)some of (CY)the brothers from (CZ)Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he entered (DA)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 [ap](DB)worshiped him. 26 But Peter helped him up, saying, “(DC)Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he entered and *found (DD)many people assembled. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is (DE)forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a [aq]foreigner; and yet (DF)God has shown me that I am not to call any person [ar]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, “(DG)Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during (DH)the [as]ninth hour; and behold, (DI)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 (DJ)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 [at]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 (DK)Opening his mouth, Peter said:

“I most certainly understand now that (DL)God is not one to show partiality, 35 but (DM)in every nation the one who [au](DN)fears Him and [av]does what is right is acceptable to Him. 36 The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, (DO)preaching [aw](DP)peace through Jesus Christ (He is (DQ)Lord of all)— 37 you yourselves know the thing that happened throughout Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. 38 [ax]You know of (DR)Jesus of Nazareth, how God (DS)anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, [ay](DT)and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for (DU)God was with Him. 39 We are (DV)witnesses of all the things that He did both in the [az]country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on [ba](DW)a cross. 40 (DX)God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He [bb]be revealed, 41 (DY)not to all the people, but to (DZ)witnesses who had been chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us (EA)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He (EB)ordered us to [bc]preach to the people, and to (EC)testify solemnly that this is the One who has been (ED)appointed by God as (EE)Judge of the living and the dead. 43 (EF)All the prophets testify of Him, that through (EG)His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (EH)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the [bd]message. 45 (EI)All the [be]Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been (EJ)poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them (EK)speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter responded, 47 “(EL)Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized, who (EM)have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” 48 And he (EN)ordered them to be baptized (EO)in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Peter Reports in Jerusalem

11 Now the apostles and (EP)the brothers and sisters who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, [bf](EQ)the Jewish believers took issue with him, 3 saying, “(ER)You [bg]went to [bh]uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained at length to them (ES)in an orderly sequence, saying, 5 “(ET)I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw (EU)a vision, an [bi]object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came to where I was, 6 and I stared at it and was thinking about it, and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild animals, the [bj]crawling creatures, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; [bk]kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing [bl]unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘(EV)What God has cleansed, no longer [bm]consider unholy.’ 10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky. 11 And behold, at that moment three men who had been sent to me from (EW)Caesarea came up to the house where we were staying. 12 (EX)And the Spirit told me to go with them (EY)without [bn]misgivings. (EZ)These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he reported to us how he had seen the angel [bo]standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send some men to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak (FA)words to you by which you will be saved, you and (FB)all your household.’ 15 And as I began to speak, (FC)the Holy Spirit fell upon them just (FD)as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘(FE)John baptized with water, but you will be baptized [bp]with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore, if (FF)God gave them the same gift as He also gave to us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, (FG)who was I that I could [bq]stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they [br]quieted down and (FH)glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the (FI)repentance that leads to life.”

The Church in Antioch

19 (FJ)So then those who were scattered because of the [bs]persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way [bt]to (FK)Phoenicia, (FL)Cyprus, and (FM)Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of (FN)Cyprus and (FO)Cyrene, who came to (FP)Antioch and began speaking to the [bu](FQ)Greeks as well, (FR)preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 And (FS)the hand of the Lord was with them, and (FT)a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The [bv]news about them [bw]reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent (FU)Barnabas off [bx]to (FV)Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and [by]witnessed (FW)the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with [bz]resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and (FX)full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And [ca](FY)considerable numbers were added to the Lord. 25 And he left for (FZ)Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to (GA)Antioch. And for an entire year they [cb]met with the church and taught [cc]considerable numbers of people; and (GB)the disciples were first called (GC)Christians in (GD)Antioch.

27 Now [cd]at this time some (GE)prophets came down from Jerusalem to (GF)Antioch. 28 One of them, named (GG)Agabus, stood up and [ce]indicated [cf]by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine (GH)all over the [cg]world. [ch]And this took place in the reign of (GI)Claudius. 29 And to the extent that any of (GJ)the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the [ci]relief of (GK)the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 (GL)And they did this, sending it [cj]with (GM)Barnabas and Saul to the (GN)elders.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:1 Later called Paul
  2. Acts 9:1 Lit threat
  3. Acts 9:2 See John 14:6
  4. Acts 9:7 Or sound
  5. Acts 9:8 Lit was seeing
  6. Acts 9:12 A few early mss do not contain in a vision
  7. Acts 9:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  8. Acts 9:14 Lit bind
  9. Acts 9:15 Or vessel
  10. Acts 9:20 Lit that
  11. Acts 9:22 I.e., Messiah
  12. Acts 9:28 Lit going in and going out
  13. Acts 9:29 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  14. Acts 9:30 I.e., disciples
  15. Acts 9:31 Lit was having
  16. Acts 9:31 Lit went
  17. Acts 9:32 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  18. Acts 9:32 OT: Lod
  19. Acts 9:33 Lit who was
  20. Acts 9:35 OT: Lod
  21. Acts 9:36 I.e., Gr for Gazelle
  22. Acts 9:36 Lit full of
  23. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  24. Acts 9:39 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  25. Acts 9:41 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  26. Acts 10:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  27. Acts 10:3 I.e., 3 p.m.
  28. Acts 10:7 Or household slaves
  29. Acts 10:9 Housetops were flat living areas
  30. Acts 10:9 I.e., noon
  31. Acts 10:11 Or vessel
  32. Acts 10:12 Or reptiles
  33. Acts 10:13 Or sacrifice
  34. Acts 10:14 Or profane; lit common
  35. Acts 10:15 Lit make common
  36. Acts 10:16 Or vessel
  37. Acts 10:17 Lit himself
  38. Acts 10:17 Lit be
  39. Acts 10:19 One early ms two
  40. Acts 10:20 Lit doubting nothing
  41. Acts 10:22 Lit words
  42. Acts 10:25 Or prostrated himself in reverence
  43. Acts 10:28 I.e., Gentile
  44. Acts 10:28 Or profane; lit common
  45. Acts 10:30 I.e., 3 to 4 p.m.
  46. Acts 10:33 Lit done well in coming
  47. Acts 10:35 Or reveres
  48. Acts 10:35 Lit works righteousness
  49. Acts 10:36 Or the gospel of peace
  50. Acts 10:38 Or How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
  51. Acts 10:38 Lit who went
  52. Acts 10:39 Or countryside
  53. Acts 10:39 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  54. Acts 10:40 Lit become visible
  55. Acts 10:42 Or proclaim
  56. Acts 10:44 Lit word
  57. Acts 10:45 Lit believers from the circumcision
  58. Acts 11:2 Lit those from the circumcision
  59. Acts 11:3 Or entered the house of
  60. Acts 11:3 I.e., Gentiles
  61. Acts 11:5 Or vessel
  62. Acts 11:6 Or reptiles
  63. Acts 11:7 Or sacrifice
  64. Acts 11:8 Or profane; lit common
  65. Acts 11:9 Lit make common
  66. Acts 11:12 Or making any distinction
  67. Acts 11:13 Or after he had stood in his house and said
  68. Acts 11:16 Or in
  69. Acts 11:17 Lit prevent God
  70. Acts 11:18 Lit became silent
  71. Acts 11:19 Lit tribulation
  72. Acts 11:19 Lit as far as
  73. Acts 11:20 Lit Hellenists; people who lived by Greek customs and culture
  74. Acts 11:22 Lit word
  75. Acts 11:22 Lit was heard in
  76. Acts 11:22 Lit as far as
  77. Acts 11:23 Lit saw
  78. Acts 11:23 Lit purpose of heart
  79. Acts 11:24 Lit a considerable crowd was
  80. Acts 11:26 Or were gathered together
  81. Acts 11:26 Lit a considerable crowd
  82. Acts 11:27 Lit in these days
  83. Acts 11:28 I.e., a prophetic communication of some kind
  84. Acts 11:28 Or through
  85. Acts 11:28 Lit inhabited earth
  86. Acts 11:28 Lit which took place
  87. Acts 11:29 Lit service
  88. Acts 11:30 Lit by the hand of
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Acts 9-11
New International Version

Saul’s Conversion(A)

9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(B) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(C) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(D) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(E) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(F) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(G)

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(H) but did not see anyone.(I) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(J) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(K) “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(L) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(M) him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(N) in Jerusalem.(O) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(P) to arrest all who call on your name.”(Q)

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(R) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(S) and their kings(T) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(U)

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(V) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(W) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(X) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples(Y) in Damascus.(Z) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(AA) that Jesus is the Son of God.(AB) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(AC) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(AD) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(AE)

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(AF) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(AG) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(AH)

26 When he came to Jerusalem,(AI) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(AJ) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(AK) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(AL) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a](AM) but they tried to kill him.(AN) 30 When the believers(AO) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(AP) and sent him off to Tarsus.(AQ)

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(AR) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(AS)

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(AT) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(AU) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AV) saw him and turned to the Lord.(AW)

36 In Joppa(AX) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(AY) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(AZ) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(BA) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(BB) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(BC) then he got down on his knees(BD) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(BE) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(BF) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(BG)

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea(BH) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(BI) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon(BJ) he had a vision.(BK) He distinctly saw an angel(BL) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4 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(BM) before God.(BN) 5 Now send men to Joppa(BO) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner,(BP) whose house is by the sea.”

7 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. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(BQ)

Peter’s Vision(BR)

9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(BS) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(BT) 11 He saw heaven opened(BU) 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!”(BV) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(BW)

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

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,(BY) the men sent by Cornelius(BZ) 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,(CA) the Spirit said(CB) to him, “Simon, three[b] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(CC)

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,(CD) 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.”(CE) 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(CF) from Joppa went along.(CG) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(CH) 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.”(CI)

27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(CJ) 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.(CK) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(CL) 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(CM) 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(CN) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(CO) 36 You know the message(CP) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(CQ) of peace(CR) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(CS) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(CT) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(CU) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(CV)

39 “We are witnesses(CW) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(CX) 40 but God raised him from the dead(CY) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(CZ) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(DA) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(DB) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(DC) 43 All the prophets testify about him(DD) that everyone(DE) who believes(DF) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(DG)

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

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

Peter Explains His Actions

11 The apostles and the believers(DP) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(DQ) 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(DR) criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(DS)

4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(DT) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’

8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(DU) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.

11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(DV) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(DW) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(DX) These six brothers(DY) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(DZ) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(EA) through which you and all your household(EB) will be saved.’

15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(EC) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(ED) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[d] water,(EE) but you will be baptized with[e] the Holy Spirit.’(EF) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(EG) he gave us(EH) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”

18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(EI)

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(EJ) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(EK) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(EL) and Cyrene,(EM) went to Antioch(EN) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(EO) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(EP) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(EQ)

22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(ER) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(ES) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(ET) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(EU) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(EV)

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(EW) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(EX) were called Christians first(EY) at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets(EZ) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(FA) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(FB) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(FC) 29 The disciples,(FD) as each one was able, decided to provide help(FE) for the brothers and sisters(FF) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(FG) by Barnabas(FH) and Saul.(FI)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
  2. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
  3. Acts 10:46 Or other languages
  4. Acts 11:16 Or in
  5. Acts 11:16 Or in
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