Acts 10
10
Peter and Cornelius
1In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, who was the captain of a group of soldiers called “The Italian Unit.” 2Cornelius was a very religious man. He worshiped God, and so did everyone else who lived in his house. He had given a lot of money to the poor and was always praying to God.
3One afternoon at about three o'clock,#10.3 at about three o'clock: Probably while he was praying (see 3.1 and the note there). Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name. 4Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, “What is this all about?”
The angel answered, “God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor. 5Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea.” 7After saying this, the angel left.
Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshiped God. 8He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa.
9 #
Jdt 8.5. The next day about noon these men were coming near Joppa. Peter went up on the roof#10.9 roof: In Palestine the houses usually had a flat roof. Stairs on the outside led up to the roof, which was made of beams and boards covered with packed earth. of the house to pray 10and became very hungry. While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision. 11He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners. 12In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13A voice said to him, “Peter, get up! Kill these and eat them.”
14 #
4 Macc 1.34. But Peter said, “Lord, I can't do that! I've never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat.”#10.14 unclean and not fit to eat: The Law of Moses taught that some foods were not fit to eat.
15The voice spoke to him again, “When God says that something can be used for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat.”
16This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.
17Peter was still wondering what all this meant, when the men sent by Cornelius came and stood at the gate. They had found their way to Simon's house 18and were asking if Simon Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three#10.19 Three: One manuscript has “two”; some manuscripts have “some.” men are here looking for you. 20Hurry down and go with them. Don't worry, I sent them.”
21Peter went down and said to the men, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”
22They answered, “Captain Cornelius sent us. He is a good man who worships God and is liked by the Jewish people. One of God's holy angels told Cornelius to send for you, so he could hear what you have to say.” 23Peter invited them to spend the night.
The next morning, Peter and some of the Lord's followers in Joppa left with the men who had come from Cornelius. 24The next day they arrived in Caesarea where Cornelius was waiting for them. He had also invited his relatives and close friends.
25When Peter arrived, Cornelius greeted him. Then he knelt at Peter's feet and started worshiping him. 26But Peter took hold of him and said, “Stand up! I am nothing more than a human.”
27As Peter entered the house, he was still talking with Cornelius. Many people were there, 28and Peter said to them, “You know that we Jews are not allowed to have anything to do with other people. But God has shown me that he doesn't think anyone is unclean or unfit. 29I agreed to come here, but I want to know why you sent for me.”
30Cornelius answered:
Four days ago at about three o'clock in the afternoon I was praying at home. Suddenly a man in bright clothes stood in front of me. 31He said, “Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and he knows about your gifts to the poor. 32Now send to Joppa for Simon Peter. He is visiting in the home of Simon the leather maker, who lives near the sea.”
33I sent for you at once, and you have been good enough to come. All of us are here in the presence of the Lord God, so that we can hear what he has to say.
34 #
Dt 10.17. Peter then said:
Now I am certain that God treats all people alike. 35God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from. 36This is the same message that God gave to the people of Israel, when he sent Jesus Christ, the Lord of all, to offer peace to them.
37You surely know what happened#10.37 what happened: Or “the message that went.” everywhere in Judea. It all began in Galilee after John had told everyone to be baptized. 38God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil. 39We all saw what Jesus did both in Israel and in the city of Jerusalem.
Jesus was put to death on a cross. 40But three days later, God raised him to life and let him be seen. 41Not everyone saw him. He was seen only by us, who ate and drank with him after he was raised from death. We were the ones God chose to tell others about him.
42God told us to announce clearly to the people that Jesus is the one he has chosen to judge the living and the dead. 43Every one of the prophets has said that all who have faith in Jesus will have their sins forgiven in his name.
44While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. 45Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. 46Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.
Peter said, 47“These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them.” 48Peter ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.
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Acts 10: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
The Acts 10
10
1But a certain man in Caesarea, — by name Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italic, 2pious, and fearing God with all his house, both giving much alms to the people, and supplicating God continually, 3— saw plainly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. 4But he, having fixed his eyes upon him, and become full of fear, said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 6He lodges with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. 7And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed, having called two of his household and a pious soldier of those who were constantly with him, 8and related all things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9And on the morrow, as these were journeying and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the house to pray, about the sixth hour. 10And he became hungry and desired to eat. But as they were making ready an ecstasy came upon him: 11and he beholds the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, bound by the four corners and let down to the earth; 12in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth, and the fowls of the heaven. 13And there was a voice to him, Rise, Peter, slay and eat. 14And Peter said, In no wise, Lord; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean. 15And there was a voice again the second time to him, What God has cleansed, do not thou make common. 16And this took place thrice, and the vessel was straightway taken up into heaven. 17And as Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold also the men who were sent by Cornelius, having sought out the house of Simon, stood at the gate, 18and having called some one, they inquired if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodged there.
19But as Peter continued pondering over the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek thee; 20but rise up, go down, and go with them, nothing doubting, because I have sent them. 21And Peter going down to the men said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause for which ye come? 22And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man, and fearing God, and borne witness to by the whole nation of the Jews, has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, and hear words from thee. 23Having therefore invited them in, he lodged them. And on the morrow, rising up he went away with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him. 24And on the morrow they came to Caesarea. But Cornelius was looking for them, having called together his kinsmen and his intimate friends. 25And when Peter was now coming in, Cornelius met him, and falling down did him homage. 26But Peter made him rise, saying, Rise up: I myself also am a man. 27And he went in, talking with him, and found many gathered together. 28And he said to them, Ye know how it is unlawful for a Jew to be joined or come to one of a strange race, and to me God has shewn to call no man common or unclean. 29Wherefore also, having been sent for, I came without saying anything against it. I inquire therefore for what reason ye have sent for me. 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I had been fasting unto this hour, and the ninth I was praying in my house, and lo, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31and said, Cornelius, thy prayer has been heard, and thy alms have come in remembrance before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea who when he is come will speak to thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee, and thou hast well done in coming. Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34And Peter opening his mouth said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, 35but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all things,) 37ye know; the testimony which has spread through the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached — 38Jesus who was of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went through all quarters doing good, and healing all that were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39We also are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they also slew, having hanged him on a cross. 40This man God raised up the third day and gave him to be openly seen, 41not of all the people, but of witnesses who were chosen before of God, us who have eaten and drunk with him after he arose from among the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that he it is who was determinately appointed of God to be judge of living and dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness that every one that believes on him will receive through his name remission of sins.
44While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word. 45And the faithful of the circumcision were astonished, as many as came with Peter, that upon the nations also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out: 46for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47Can any one forbid water that these should not be baptised, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did? 48And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay some days.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.