Acts 10:9-23

GOD’S WORD Translation

Peter Has a Vision

⁹ Around noon the next day, while Cornelius’ men were on their way and coming close to Joppa, Peter went on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted to eat. While the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw the sky open and something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners to the ground. ¹² In the sheet were all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds.

¹³ A voice told him, “Get up, Peter! Kill these animals, and eat them.”

¹⁴ Peter answered, “I can’t do that, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything that is impure or unclean.” ^[a]

¹⁵ A voice spoke to him a second time, “Don’t say that the things which God has made clean ^[b] are impure.”

¹⁶ This happened three times. Then the sheet was quickly taken into the sky.

¹⁷ While Peter was puzzled by the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and went to the gate. ¹⁸ They asked if Simon Peter was staying there. ¹⁹ Peter was still thinking about the vision when the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. ²⁰ Get up, and go downstairs. Don’t hesitate to go with these men. I have sent them.”

²¹ So Peter went to the men. He said, “I’m the man you’re looking for. Why are you here?”

²² The men replied, “Cornelius, a Roman army officer, sent us. He’s a man who has God’s approval and who respects God. Also, the Jewish people respect him. A holy angel told him to summon you to his home to hear what you have to say.”

²³ Peter asked the men to come into the house and had them stay overnight.

Peter Speaks with Cornelius

The next day Peter left with them. Some disciples from Joppa went along.