1
In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called.
2
He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God.
3
One afternoon at about three o'clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius."
4
He stared at him in terror and said, "What is it, Lord?" He answered, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.
5
Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter;
6
he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside."
7
When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him,
8
and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.
9
About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10
He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
11
He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners.