Acts 10
1THERE was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band;
2devout, and one that feared God with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to God always.
3He saw in a vision, distinctly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him: Cornelius!
4And fixing his eyes on him, he was afraid, and said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
6He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.
7And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius was gone, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of those who waited on him;
8and having told them all these things, he sent them to Joppa.
9On the morrow, as they were journeying, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour.
10And he became very hungry, and desired to eat. While they now were making ready, there fell upon him a trance;
11and he beholds heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as a great sheet, bound by four corners, and let down upon the earth;
12wherein were all the fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth, and birds of the air.
13And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; slay, and eat.
14But Peter said: Not so, Lord; for I never ate anything common or unclean.
15And a voice came to him again, the second time: What God cleansed, call not thou common.
16This was done thrice; and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.
17And while Peter was doubting in himself what the vision might be which he saw, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, came and stood before the gate;
18and calling they asked, whether Simon, who is surnamed Peter, lodges here.
19While Peter was earnestly considering the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold, men are seeking thee.
20But arise, and go down, and go with them, making no scruple; because I have sent them.
21Peter went down to the men, and said: Behold, I am he whom ye seek. What is the cause for which ye are here?
22And they said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee to his house; and to hear words from thee.
23He called them in, therefore, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain brethren from Joppa went with him.
24And on the morrow after, they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his kinsmen and near friends.
25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and did reverence to him.
26But Peter raised him, saying: Stand up; I myself also am a man.
27And while talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28And he said to them: Ye know that it is unlawful[10:28] for a Jew to keep company with, or come to, one of another nation; but God showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29Wherefore I also came without delay, when sent for. I ask therefore for what reason did ye send for me?
30And Cornelius said: Four days ago I was fasting unto this hour, and at the ninth hour was praying in my house; and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31and said: Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thine alms were remembered before God.
32Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea-side; who, when he comes will speak to thee.
33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou didst well in coming hither. Now therefore we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee from the Lord.
34And Peter opened his mouth, and said: Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons;
35but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him.
36The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, publishing glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
37ye know; the thing which was done throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the immersion which John preached; Jesus of Nazareth,
38how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him.
39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, hanging him on a tree.
40Him God raised on the third day, and showed him openly;
41not to all the people, but to witnesses before appointed by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who has been appointed by God to be Judge of the living and dead.
43To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name every one who believes on him shall receive remission of sins.
44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
45And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished, that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
46For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God. Then answered Peter:
47Can any one forbid the water, that these should not be immersed, who received the Holy Spirit even as we also?
48And he commanded that they should be immersed in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to remain certain days.