There was
a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the band called the Italian band,
02 A devout man, and one that feared God with all
his house, which gave much alms to the people,
and prayed to God alway.
03 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth
hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him,
and saying unto him, Cornelius.
04 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and
said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy
prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial
before God.
05 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one
Simon, whose surname is Peter:
06 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose
house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what
thou oughtest to do.
07 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius
was departed, he called two of his household
servants, and a devout soldier of them that
waited on him continually;
08 And when he had declared all these things unto
them, he sent them to Joppa.
09 On the morrow, as they went on their journey,
and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon
the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have
eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a
trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel
descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet
knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts
of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter;
kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never
eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second
time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou
common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was
received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this
vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the
men which were sent from Cornelius had made
enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the
gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was
surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit
said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go
with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent
them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were
sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I
am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore
ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just
man, and one that feareth God, and of good report
among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from
God by an holy angel to send for thee into his
house, and to hear words of thee.
23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And
on the morrow Peter went away with them, and
certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And the morrow after they entered into
Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he
had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
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25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him,
and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I
myself also am a man.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and
found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is
an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep
company, or come unto one of another nation; but
God hath shewed me that I should not call any man
common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying,
as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for
what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was
fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I
prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood
before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and
thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of
God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither
Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in
the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side:
who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou
hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore
are we all here present before God, to hear all
things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no respecter of
persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and
worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of
Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is
Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee,
after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he
did both in the land of the Jews, and in
Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed
him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and
drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people,
and to testify that it is he which was ordained
of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy
Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and
magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the
name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry
certain days.
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