11. And he saw heaven opened and an object something like a large sheet coming down, being let down to the earth by its four corners,
12. in which were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth and birds of the sky.
13. And a voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, slaughter and eat!”
14. But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common and unclean!”
15. And the voice came again to him for the second time: “The things which God has made clean, you must not consider unclean!”
16. And this happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.
17. Now while Peter was greatly perplexed within himself as to what the vision that he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having found the house of Simon by asking around, stood at the gate.
18. And they called out and asked if Simon who was also called Peter was staying there as a guest.
19. And while Peter was reflecting about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, men are looking for you.
20. But get up, go down, and go with them—not hesitating at all, because I have sent them.”
21. So Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am he whom you are looking for! What is the reason for which you have come?”
22. And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man—and well spoken of by the whole nation of the Jews—was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear words from you.”
23. So he invited them in and entertained them as guests, and on the next day he got up and went away with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24. And on the next day he entered into Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25. So it happened that when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.
26. But Peter helped him up, saying, “Get up! I myself am also a man!”
27. And as he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered.
28. And he said to them, “You know that it is forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or to approach a foreigner. And to me God has shown that I should call no man common or unclean.
29. Therefore—and without raising any objection—I came when I was sent for. So I ask for what reason you sent for me.”
30. And Cornelius said, “Four days ago at this hour, the ninth, I was praying in my house. And behold, a man in shining clothing stood before me
31. and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charitable deeds have been remembered before God.