1. Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the cohort which is called Italian,
2. a devout man, fearing God with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to God continually.
3. This man saw in a vision clearly, at about the ninth hour of the day, the Angel of God entering to him and saying to him: "Cornelius!"
4. And he, gazing at him, was seized by fear, and he said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him: "Your prayers and your almsgiving have ascended as a memorial in the sight of God.
5. And now, send men to Joppa and summon a certain Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
6. This man is a guest with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea. He will tell you what you must do."
7. And when the Angel who was speaking to him had departed, he called, out of those who were subject to him, two of his household servants and a soldier who feared the Lord.
8. And when he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9. Then, on the following day, while they were making the journey and approaching the city, Peter ascended to the upper rooms, so that he might pray, at about the sixth hour.
10. And since he was hungry, he wanted to enjoy some food. Then, as they were preparing it, an ecstasy of mind fell over him.
11. And he saw heaven opened, and a certain container descending, as if a great linen sheet were let down, by its four corners, from heaven to earth,
12. on which were all four-footed beasts, and the crawling things of the earth and the flying things of the air.
13. And a voice came to him: "Rise up, Peter! Kill and eat."