Goodspeed(i)
8 and after telling them the whole story, sent them to Joppa.
9 The next day, while they were still on their way, and were just getting near the town, Peter went up on the housetop about noon to pray.
10 He got very hungry, and wanted something to eat. While they were getting it ready, he fell into a trance,
11 and saw the sky opened and a thing like a great sheet coming down, lowered to the ground by the four corners,
12 with all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles, and wild birds in it.
13 And a voice came to him, "Get up, Peter! Kill something and eat it!"
14 But Peter said, "Never, sir! For I have never eaten anything that was not ceremonially cleansed."
15 The voice came to him again a second time, "Do not call what God has cleansed unclean."
16 This happened three times; then the thing was taken right up into the sky.
17 While Peter was still wondering what the vision he had had could mean, the men whom Cornelius had sent had asked the way to Simon's house and reached the door,
18 and they called out to ask if Simon who was called Peter was staying there.
19 As Peter was pondering over his vision, the Spirit said to him, "There are two men looking for you.
20 Get up and go down, and go with them without any hesitation, for I have sent them."
21 Then Peter went down to see the men, and said to them, "I am the man you are asking for. What is the reason for your coming?"
22 They answered, "Cornelius, who is a captain, and an upright and God-fearing man, and who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to what you have to say."
23 So Peter invited them in and entertained them. The next day he started off with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa,
24 and the day after, he reached Caesarea. Cornelius had invited in his relatives and his intimate friends and was waiting for them.
25 When Peter actually came in, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet and made obeisance to him.
26 But Peter lifted him to his feet, and said, "Get up! I am only human myself."
27 So they went in talking together, and Peter found that many people had gathered,
28 and he said to them, "You know that it is against the Law for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit one; but God has taught me not to call anyone vulgar or unclean.
29 That was why, when I was sent for, I came without any hesitation. And now I want to ask why you sent for me."
30 Cornelius answered, "Three days ago, just at this time of day, I was praying in my house about three o'clock, when a man in dazzling clothing stood before me,
31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been recalled to mind by God.
32 So send to Joppa and invite Simon who is called Peter to come here. He is staying at the house of a tanner named Simon, close to the sea.'