1
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a Roman army officer in what was called the Italian Regiment.
2
He was a devout man, a "God-fearer," as was his whole household; he gave generously to help the Jewish poor and prayed regularly to God.
3
One afternoon around three o'clock he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
4
Cornelius stared at the angel, terrified. "What is it, sir?" he asked. "Your prayers," replied the angel, "and your acts of charity have gone up into God's presence, so that he has you on his mind.
5
Now send some men to Yafo to bring back a man named Shim'on, also called Kefa.
6
He's staying with Shim'on the leather-tanner, who has a house by the sea."
7
As the angel that had spoken to him went away, Cornelius called two of his household slaves and one of his military aides, who was a godly man;