Peter's Vision
9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city,
1Peter went up
2on the housetop about
3the sixth hour to pray.
10
And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into
4a trance
11
and saw
5the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.
12
In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.
13
And there came a voice to him:
"Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
14
But Peter said, "By no means, Lord;
6for I have never eaten anything that is
7common or
8unclean."
15
And the voice came to him again a second time,
9"What God has made clean, do not call common."
16
This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17
Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what
10the vision that he had seen might mean, behold,
11the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate
18
and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.
19
And while Peter was pondering
12the vision,
13the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.
20
Rise and go down and
14accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."
21
And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"
22
And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and
15God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by
16a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and
17to hear what you have to say."
23
So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and
18some of
19the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24
And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and
20fell down at his feet and
21worshiped him.
26
But Peter lifted him up, saying,
22"Stand up; I too am a man."
27
And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
28
And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew
23to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but
24God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
29
So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me."
30
And Cornelius said,
25"Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at
26the ninth hour, and behold,
27a man stood before me in bright clothing
31
and said, 'Cornelius,
28your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
32
Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.'
33
So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."