Book of Common Prayer

⁹ On the next day, as they went on their journey and drew near to the city, Peter went up upon the top of the house to pray, about the sixth hour. ¹⁰ Then he grew hungry and wanted to eat. But while they made ready, he fell into a trance, ¹¹ and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel come down to him, like a great sheet knit at the four corners. And it was let down to the earth. ¹² In it were all manner of four-footed animals of the earth, and wild beasts, and reptiles, and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: Rise, Peter; kill and eat! ¹⁴ But Peter said, God forbid, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. ¹⁵ And the voice spoke to him again the second time: What God has cleansed, do not judge common. ¹⁶ This was done three times, and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

¹⁷ While Peter mused in himself what this vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and were standing before the door. ¹⁸ And one called out and asked whether Simon who was also called Peter was lodged there. ¹⁹ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are seeking you. ²⁰ Arise therefore; go down and go with them, and do not doubt. For I have sent them.

²¹ Peter went down to the men that were sent to him from Cornelius and said, I am the one you are seeking. What is the reason for your visit?

²² And they said to him, Cornelius the captain, a just man, and one who fears God and is of good report among all the people of the Jews, was told by a holy angel to send for you to come into his house and to hear words from you.

²³ Then he invited them in and lodged them. And the next day, Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

³² Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s pleasure to give you a kingdom. ³³ Sell what you have and give alms, and make yourselves pouches that won’t wear out, and treasure that won’t fail in heaven, where no thief comes or moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.

³⁵ Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning, ³⁶ and you yourselves like men waiting for their master, for when he will return from a wedding, so that as soon as he comes and knocks, they can open to him. ³⁷ Happy are those servants whom the Lord, when he comes, finds watching. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself about and make them sit down to food, and walk by and minister to them. ³⁸ And if he comes in the second watch, yea if he comes in the third watch, and finds them so, happy are those servants. ³⁹ This understand: if the householder knew what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and not allow his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Be prepared therefore, for the Son of man will come at an hour when you think not.