Peter's Vision

9 On the next day, as the men were traveling along and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about the sixth hour. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, and as they were preparing a meal, a trance [fn]fell upon him. 11 He saw heaven opened and an object like a large sheet coming down [fn]to him. [fn]It was tied at its four corners and was being lowered to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals [fn]of the earth, as well as wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice came to him: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Surely not, Lord! For I have never eaten anything that is defiled or unclean.” 15 The voice came to him again a second time: “Do not regard as defiled what God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and [fn]then the object was taken up again into heaven.

17 While Peter was greatly perplexed, pondering within himself what the vision he had seen might mean, behold, the men sent by Cornelius had asked for Simon's house and were standing at the gate. 18 They called out and asked if Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19 As Peter continued pondering the vision, the Spirit said [fn]to him, “Behold, [fn]some men are looking for yoʋ. 20 Now get up, go downstairs, and go with them without any misgivings, for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down to the [fn]men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the entire Jewish nation, was directed by [fn]a holy angel to send for yoʋ to come to his house and to hear a message from yoʋ.” 23 So Peter invited them in and put them up for the night.

The next day Peter [fn]went with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 The following day [fn]they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” 27 As Peter talked with him, he went in and found many people gathered together. 28 Peter said to them, “You know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to keep company with or associate with a foreigner, but God has shown me that I should call no one defiled or unclean. 29 That is why I came without objection when I was sent for. I ask then, what is the reason you have sent for me?”

30 Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was [fn]fasting until this hour. At the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. 31 The man said, ‘Cornelius, yoʋr prayer has been heard, and yoʋr charitable acts have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter. He is staying by the sea in the house of a tanner named Simon. [fn]When he arrives, he will speak to yoʋ.’ 33 So I sent for yoʋ at once, and yoʋ have done well by coming. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that yoʋ have been commanded by [fn]God.”