Acts 10
1 There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in the regiment known as the “Italian Regiment,”
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
A religious man and one who reverenced God, with all his household. He was liberal in his charities to the people, and prayed to God constantly.
3 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.
One afternoon, about three o’clock, he distinctly saw in a vision an angel from God come to him, and call him by name.
4 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.
Cornelius fixed his eyes on him and, in great alarm, said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ ‘Your prayers and your charities,’ the angel answered, ‘have been an acceptable offering to God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
And now, send messengers to Joppa and fetch a man called Simon, who is also known as Peter.
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
He is lodging with a tanner named Simon, who has a house near the sea.’
7 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;
When the angel, who had spoken to him, had gone, Cornelius called two servants and a religious soldier, who was one of his constant attendants,
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
and, after telling them the whole story, sent them to Joppa.
9 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:
On the next day, while these men were on their way, just as they were nearing the town, Peter went up on the housetop about midday to pray.
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
He became hungry and wanted something to eat; but while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
and saw that the heavens were open, and that something like a great sail was descending, let down by its four corners towards the earth.
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
In it were all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles, and birds.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Then he was aware of a voice which said – ‘Stand up, Peter, kill something, and eat.’
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is profane or unclean.
‘No, Lord, I cannot,’ answered Peter, ‘for I have never eaten anything defiled and unclean.’
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou profane.
Again he was aware of a voice which said – ‘What God has pronounced clean, do not regard as defiled.’
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
This happened three times, and then suddenly it was all taken up into the heavens.
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,
While Peter was still perplexed as to the meaning of the vision that he had seen, the men sent by Cornelius, having enquired the way to Simon’s house, came up to the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
and called out and asked if the Simon, who was also known as Peter, was lodging there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Peter was still pondering over the vision, when the Spirit said to him, ‘There are two men looking for you at this moment.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Go down at once and do not hesitate to go with them, 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?
Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the person you are looking for. What is your reason for coming?’
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.
The men replied, ‘Our centurion, Cornelius, a pious man who reverences God and is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, has been instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house, and to listen to what you have to say.’
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.
So Peter invited them in and entertained them. The next day he lost no time in setting out with them, accompanied by some of the Lord’s followers from Joppa;
24 And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
and the day following he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, and had invited his relatives and intimate friends to meet them.
25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
So, when Peter entered the city, Cornelius met him, and, throwing himself at Peter’s feet, bowed to the ground.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Peter, however, lifted him up, saying as he did so, ‘Stand up, I am only human like yourself.’
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
Talking with him as he went, Peter entered the house, where he found a large gathering of people, to whom he said,
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.
‘You are doubtless aware that it is forbidden for a Jew to be intimate with a foreigner, or even to enter his house; and yet God has shown me that I ought not to call anyone defiled 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?
That was why I came, when I was sent for, without raising any objection. And now I ask your reason for sending 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,
‘Just three days ago this very hour,’ Cornelius said, ‘I was in my house, saying the Afternoon Prayers, when a man in dazzling clothing suddenly stood before me.
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
“Cornelius,” he said, “your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been accepted, by 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.
Therefore send to Joppa, and invite the Simon, who is also known as Peter, to come here. He is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner, near the sea.”
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.
Accordingly I sent to you at once, and you have been so good as to come. And now we are all here in the presence of God, to listen to all that you have been instructed by the Lord to say.’
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Then Peter began. ‘I see, beyond all doubt,’ he said, ‘that God does not show partiality,
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
but that in every nation he who reverences him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: ( he is Lord of all: )
God has sent his message to the Israelites and told them, through Jesus Christ, the good news of peace – and Jesus is Lord of all!
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
You yourselves know the story which spread through all Judea, how, beginning form Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed –
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.
the story, I mean, of Jesus of Nazareth, and how God consecrated him his Christ by enduing him with the Holy Spirit and with power; and how he went about doing good and curing all who were under the power of the devil, because 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:
We are ourselves, too, witnesses to all that he did in Judea and in Jerusalem; yet they put him to death by hanging him on a cross!
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
This Jesus God raised on the third day, and enabled him to appear,
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
not indeed to everyone, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by God – to us, who ate and drank with him after his resurrection 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.
Further, God charged us to proclaim to the people, and solemnly affirm, that it is Jesus who has been appointed by God judge of the living and the dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
To him it is that all the prophets bear witness, when they say that everyone who believes in him receives through his name forgiveness of sins.’
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Before Peter had finished saying these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were listening to the message.
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.
Those converts from Judaism, who had come with Peter, were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been bestowed even on the Gentiles;
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
for they heard them speaking in different languages and extolling God. At this Peter asked,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
‘Can anyone refuse the water for the baptism of these people, now that they have received the Holy Spirit as we did ourselves?’
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
And he directed that they should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; after which they asked him to stay there a few days longer.
