Acts 10:1-23

Modern English Version

Peter and Cornelius

10 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, the centurion^[a] of a band of soldiers called the Italian Detachment, ² a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave many alms to the people and continually prayed to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.”

⁴ When he looked at him he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Lord?”

He said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up as a memorial before God. ⁵ Now send men to Joppa, and bring back Simon whose surname is Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”

⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who continually waited on him. ⁸ When he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ The next day as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ He became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they prepared a meal, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw heaven opened, and a vessel like a great sheet, tied 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 and wild beasts and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ Then a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

¹⁴ Peter said, “Not at all, Lord. For I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time: “What God has cleansed, do not call common.”

¹⁶ This happened three times. And again the vessel was taken up into heaven.

¹⁷ Now while Peter wondered what this vision which he had seen might mean, the men who were sent by Cornelius had inquired for Simon’s house and stood at the gate, ¹⁸ and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.

¹⁹ While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. ²⁰ So rise and go down, and go with them, doubting nothing. For I have sent them.”

²¹ Then Peter went down to the men who were sent to him by Cornelius and said, “Here I am, the one you are seeking. Why have you come?”

²² They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a man who is righteous and fears God and is of good report throughout the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house to hear your words.” ²³ Then he invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day Peter went with them, and some brothers from Joppa accompanied him.