2. Cornelius and all his family were faithful and worshiped God. He gave freely to people who were in need. He prayed to God regularly.
3. One day about three o'clock in the afternoon he had a vision. He saw an angel of God clearly. The angel came to him and said, "Cornelius!"
4. Cornelius was afraid. He stared at the angel. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to poor people have come up like an offering to God. So he has remembered you.
5. Now send men to Joppa. Have them bring back a man named Simon. He is also called Peter.
6. He is staying with another Simon, a man who works with leather. His house is by the sea."
7. The angel who spoke to him left. Then Cornelius called two of his servants. He also called a godly soldier who was one of his attendants.
8. He told them everything that had happened. Then he sent them to Joppa.
9. It was about noon the next day. The men were on their journey and were approaching the city. Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10. He became hungry. He wanted something to eat. While the meal was being prepared, Peter had a vision.
11. He saw heaven open up. There he saw something that looked like a large sheet. It was being let down to earth by its four corners.
12. It had all kinds of four-footed animals in it. It also had reptiles of the earth and birds of the air.