Acts 10:9-32

9On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, 1Peter went up on 2the 3housetop about 45the sixth hour to pray. 10But he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were making preparations, he 6fell into a trance; 11and he saw 7the sky opened up, and an 8object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12and on it were all kinds of four-footed animals and 9crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, 10kill and eat!” 14But Peter said, “By no means, 11Lord, for 12I have never eaten anything 13unholy and unclean.” 15Again a voice came to him a second time, “14What God has cleansed, no longer 15consider unholy.” 16This happened three times, and immediately the 16object was taken up into the sky.

17Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in 17mind as to what 18the vision which he had seen might 19mean, behold, 20the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked directions to Simon’s house, and they appeared at the gate; 18and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19While Peter was reflecting on 21the vision, 22the Spirit said to him, “Behold, 23three men are looking for you. 20But get up, go downstairs and 24accompany them 25without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” 21Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and 26God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, 27was divinely directed by a 28holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear 2930a message from you.” 23So he invited them in and gave them lodging.

Now on the next day he got ready and went away with them, and 31some of 32the brothers from 33Joppa accompanied him. 24On the following day he entered 34Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and 3536worshiped him. 26But Peter helped him up, saying, “37Stand up; I, too, am just a man.” 27As he talked with him, he entered and found 38many people assembled. 28And he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is 39forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a 40foreigner; and yet 41God has shown me that I am not to call any person 42unholy or unclean. 29That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. So I ask, for what reason did you send for me?”

30Cornelius said, “43Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during 44the 45ninth hour; and behold, 46a man stood before me in shining clothing, 31and he said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your charitable gifts have been remembered before God. 32Therefore send some men to 47Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’