^{1 Ref} Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

^{2 Ref} a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.

^{3 Ref} At about the ninth hour of the day{3:00 PM}, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

^{4 Ref} He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is it, Lord?" He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.

^{5 Ref} Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter.

^{6 Ref} He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.{TR adds "This one will tell you what it is necessary for you to do."}"

^{7 Ref} When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.

^{8 Ref} Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

^{9 Ref} Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.

^{10 Ref} He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.

^{11 Ref} He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,

^{12 Ref} in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.

^{13 Ref} A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"

^{14 Ref} But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

^{15 Ref} A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean."

^{16 Ref} This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.

^{17 Ref} Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate,

^{18 Ref} and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.

^{19 Ref} While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three{Reading from TR and NU. MT omits "three"} men seek you.

^{20 Ref} But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

^{21 Ref} Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?"

^{22 Ref} They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say."

^{23 Ref} So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

^{24 Ref} On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.

^{25 Ref} When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.

^{26 Ref} But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man."

^{27 Ref} As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.

^{28 Ref} He said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean.

^{29 Ref} Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?"

^{30 Ref} Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour,{3:00 P. M.} I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

^{31 Ref} and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.

³² Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.'

^{33 Ref} Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."