20. Get up and go downstairs. Go with these men without wondering if it’s all right, because I sent them.”
21. So Peter went downstairs and said to them, “I think I’m the man you are looking for. Why did you come here?”
22. The men said, “A holy angel told Cornelius to invite you to his house. He is an army officer. He is a good man, one who worships God, and all the Jewish people respect him. The angel told him to invite you to his house so that he can listen to what you have to say.”
23. Peter asked the men to come in and stay for the night. The next day Peter got ready and went away with the three men. Some of the believers from Joppa went with him.
24. The next day they came to the city of Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them and had already gathered his relatives and close friends at his house.
25. When Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him. He fell down at Peter’s feet and worshiped him.
26. But Peter told him to get up. Peter said, “Stand up! I am only a man like you.”
27. Peter continued talking with Cornelius. Then Peter went inside and saw a large group of people gathered there.
28. Peter said to the people, “You understand that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not consider anyone unfit or say they are not pure.
29. That’s why I didn’t argue when your men asked me to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”
30. Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time—three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly there was someone standing before me wearing bright, shiny clothes.
31. He said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done.
32. So send some men to the city of Joppa and tell Simon Peter to come. He is staying with another man named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.’
33. So I sent for you immediately. It was very good of you to come here. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34. Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that God does not consider some people to be better than others.
35. He accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what nation they come from.