Book of Common Prayer
Before They Arrive, Peter Has a Vision To Treat As Clean What God Has Made Clean
9 Now on the next day, while those ones were journeying and drawing-near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop around the sixth[a] hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and was wanting to eat. And while they were preparing it, a trance came upon him. 11 And he sees the heaven having been opened and a certain object like a large sheet coming down, being let down by four corners on the ground— 12 in which were all the four-footed-animals and reptiles of the earth, and birds of the heaven. 13 And a voice came to him, “Having arisen, Peter, slaughter and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, because I never ate anything defiled and unclean”. 15 And a voice again came to him for a second time, “The things which God made-clean[b], don’t you be making-defiled[c]”. 16 And this[d] took place three-times, and immediately the object was taken-up into heaven.
The Spirit Tells Peter He Has Sent Three Men, And He Is To Go With Them
17 Now while Peter was being greatly-perplexed within himself as to what the vision which he saw might mean, behold— the men having been sent-forth by Cornelius, having asked-repeatedly as to the house of Simon, stood at the gate. 18 And having called, they were inquiring, “Is Simon, the one being called Peter, lodging here?” 19 And while Peter was pondering about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold— three men are seeking you. 20 But[e] having arisen, go down and proceed with them not doubting[f] at all, because I have sent them forth”. 21 And Peter, having gone down to the men, said, “Behold— I am the one whom you are seeking. What is the reason for which you are-here?” 22 And the ones said, “Cornelius— a centurion, a righteous man, and one fearing God, and one being attested by the whole nation of the Jews— was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to listen-to words from you”. 23 Then having invited them in, he gave-them-lodging.
Peter Goes To Cornelius. Peter Now Understands That His Vision Pertained To Gentiles
And on the next day, having arisen, he went forth with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.
Do Not Fear. Sell Your Possessions For a Heavenly Return
32 “Do not be fearing, little flock, because your Father was well-pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give it as alms[a]. Make yourselves money-bags not becoming-old— an unfailing[b] treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not draw-near, nor does a moth destroy. 34 For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be.
Keep Watch For Your Master’s Return. Be Prepared
35 Let your waists be girded[c] and your lamps burning, 36 and you be like people waiting-for their master when he departs from the wedding-celebrations— in order that he having come and having knocked, they may immediately open [the door] for him. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master, having come, will find keeping-watch. Truly I say to you that he will gird himself, and have them lie back [to eat]. And having come-to the table, he will serve them. 38 Even if in the second[d], even if he comes in the third watch and finds them so, blessed are those ones. 39 And you know[e] this saying— that if the house-master had known at which hour the thief was coming, he would not have permitted his house to be broken-into. 40 You also be[f] prepared ones, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour which you do not expect”.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing