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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."
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But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."
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And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."
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This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
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Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate.
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And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
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While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you.
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Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
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Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, "Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?"