| 1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by
name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 a devout
man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God always. 3 He saw in a vision openly, as it were
about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and
saying to him, Cornelius. 4 And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being
affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and
thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to
Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: 6 he lodgeth with one
Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. 7 And when the angel that
spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a
devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 and having
rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 Now on the
morrow, as they were 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
hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance;
11 and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as
it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12 wherein
were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and
birds of the heaven. 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 anything
that is common and unclean. 15 And a voice came unto him again the
second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 16 And this was
done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.
17 Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he
had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made
inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked
whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. 19 And while
Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek
thee. 20 But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting:
for I have sent them. 21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold,
I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they
said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and
well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by
a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee.
23 So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose and
went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
24 And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting
for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. 25 And
when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at
his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand
up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and
findeth many come together: 28 and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know
how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come
unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I
should not call any man common or unclean: 29 wherefore also I came
without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye
sent for me. 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was
keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before
me in bright apparel, 31 and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and
thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore
to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the
house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. 33 Forthwith therefore I sent to
thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all
here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded
thee of the Lord. 34 And 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 acceptable to him. 36 The
word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of
peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) -- 37 that saying ye yourselves
know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee,
after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth,
how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit 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
country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a
tree. 40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made
manifest, 41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen
before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose
from the dead. 42 And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to
testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the
living and the dead. 43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through
his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them
that heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision that believed were
amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46 For they heard them speak with
tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid the
water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit
as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Genesis - Public
Domain
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