1 Now there was a certain man in the city of Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man, one who worshiped God with all his household; he gave much money to those in need, and he constantly prayed to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him. The angel said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at the angel and was very frightened and said, “What is it, sir?” The angel said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the poor have gone up as a memorial offering into God's presence. 5 Now send men to the city of Joppa to bring a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, Cornelius called two of his house servants, and a devout soldier from among those who served him. 8 Cornelius told them all that had happened and sent them to Joppa.

9 Now on the next day at about the sixth hour, as they were on their journey and were approaching the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray. 10 He then became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the people were cooking some food, he was given a vision, 11 and he saw the sky open and a certain container descending, something like a large sheet coming down to the earth, let down by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and things that crawled on the earth, and birds of the sky. 13 Then a voice spoke to him: “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that was defiled and unclean.” 15 But the voice came to him again a second time: “What God has cleansed, do not call it defiled.” 16 This happened three times; then the container was immediately taken back up into the sky.

17 Now while Peter was very confused about what the vision that he had seen could mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius stood before the gate, after they had asked their way to the house. 18 They called out and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. [a] 20 Arise and go down and go with them. Do not hesitate to go with them, because I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am he whom you are seeking. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “A centurion named Cornelius, a righteous man and one who worships God, and is well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was told by a holy angel of God to send for you to come to his house, so he could listen to a message from you.” 23 So Peter invited them to come in and stay with him.