9

Now the day after, when they were on their journey and were near the town, Peter went up to the top of the house for prayer, about the sixth hour:

10

And he was in need of food: but while they were getting it ready, a deep sleep came on him

11

And he saw the heavens opening, and a vessel coming down, like a great cloth let down on the earth,

12

In which were all sorts of beasts and birds.

13

And a voice came to him, saying, Come, Peter take them for food.

14

But Peter said, No, Lord for I have never taken food which is common or unclean.

15

And the voice came to him a second time, What God has made clean, do not you make common.

16

And this was done three times: and then the vessel was taken back into heaven.

17

Now while Peter was in doubt as to the purpose of this vision, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made search for Simon's house, came to the door,

18

To see if Simon, named Peter, was living there.

19

And, while Peter was turning the vision over in his mind, the Spirit said to him, See, three men are looking for you.

20

Go down, then, and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.

21

And Peter went down to the men, and said, I am the man you are looking for: why have you come?

22

And they said, Cornelius, a captain, an upright and God-fearing man, respected by all the nation of the Jews, had word from God by an angel to send for you to his house, and to give hearing to your words.

23

So he took them in for the night. And the day after, he went with them, taking some of the brothers from Joppa with him.

24

And the day after that, they came to Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having got together his relations and his near friends.

25

And when Peter came in, Cornelius came to him and, falling down at his feet, gave him worship.

26

But Peter, lifting him up, said, Get up, for I am a man as you are.

27

And saying these words, he went in, and saw that a great number of people had come together

28

And he said to them, You yourselves have knowledge that it is against the law for a man who is a Jew to be in the company of one who is of another nation but God has made it clear to me that no man may be named common or unclean:

29

And so I came without question, when I was sent for. What then is your purpose in sending for me?

30

And Cornelius said, Four days from now I was in my house in prayer at the ninth hour and I saw before me a man in shining clothing,

31

Who said, Cornelius, your prayer has come to the ears of God, and your offerings are kept in his memory.

32

Send, then, to Joppa, and get Simon, named Peter, to come to you he is living in the house of Simon, a leather-worker, by the sea.

33

So, straight away, I sent for you and you have done well to come. And now, we are all present before God, ready to give attention to all the things which the Lord has given you to say.