Acts 10:1-22

1A man named Cornelius lived in the city of Caesarea. He was a Roman army officer in the Italian Regiment.

2He and everyone in his home were devout and respected God. Cornelius gave many gifts to poor Jewish people and always prayed to God.

3One day, about three in the afternoon, he had a vision. He clearly saw an angel from God come to him and say, “Cornelius!”

4He stared at the angel and was terrified. Cornelius asked the angel, “What do you want, sir?” The angel answered him, “God is aware of your prayers and your gifts to the poor, and he has remembered you.

5Send messengers now to the city of Joppa, and summon a man whose name is Simon Peter.

6He is a guest of Simon, a leatherworker, whose house is by the sea.”

7After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of those who served him regularly.

8Cornelius explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.

9Around noon the next day, while Cornelius’ men were on their way and coming close to Joppa, Peter went on the roof to pray.

10He became hungry and wanted to eat. While the food was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

11He saw the sky open and something like a large linen sheet being lowered by its four corners to the ground.

12In the sheet were all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds.

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

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

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

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

17While Peter was puzzled by the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and went to the gate.

18They asked if Simon Peter was staying there.

19Peter was still thinking about the vision when the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you.

20Get up, and go downstairs. Don’t hesitate to go with these men. I have sent them.”

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

22The 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.”