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There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
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a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
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About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!"
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And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
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Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
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He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do."
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And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
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So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
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The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
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Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
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and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
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In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
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And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."