Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.

1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort,

2He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.

2a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.

3About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, "Cornelius."

3About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.”

4Staring at him in awe, he said, "What is it, Lord?" The angel told him, "Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

4And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

5Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter.

5And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter.

6He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."

6He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”

7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him.

7When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him,

8After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

8and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon.

9The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

10He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance.

10And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance

11He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth.

11and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

12In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky.

12In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.

13A voice said to him, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat."

13And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14"No, Lord!" Peter said. "For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean."

14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

15Again, a second time, the voice said to him, "What God has made clean, do not call impure."

15And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

16This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

16This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

17While Peter was deeply perplexed about what the vision he had seen might mean, right away the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon's house, stood at the gate.

17Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate

18They called out, asking if Simon, who was also named Peter, was lodging there.

18and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

19While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, "Three men are here looking for you.

19And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

20Get up, go downstairs, and go with them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them."

20Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

21Then Peter went down to the men and said, "Here I am, the one you're looking for. What is the reason you're here?"

21And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”

22They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who has a good reputation with the whole Jewish nation, was divinely directed by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear a message from you."

22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.”

23Peter then invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and set out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.

23So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

24The following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him.

25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

26But Peter lifted him up and said, "Stand up. I myself am also a man."

26But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.”

27While talking with him, he went in and found a large gathering of people.

27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.

28Peter said to them, "You know it's forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean.

28And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

29That's why I came without any objection when I was sent for. So may I ask why you sent for me?"

29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

30Cornelius replied, "Four days ago at this hour, at three in the afternoon, I was praying in my house. Just then a man in dazzling clothing stood before me

30And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing

31and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your acts of charity have been remembered in God's sight.

31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

32Therefore send someone to Joppa and invite Simon here, who is also named Peter. He is lodging in Simon the tanner's house by the sea.'

32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’

33So I immediately sent for you, and it was good of you to come. So now we are all in the presence of God to hear everything you have been commanded by the Lord."

33So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”

34Peter began to speak: "Now I truly understand that God doesn't show favoritism,

34So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,

35but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

35but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

36He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all.

36As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

37You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached:

37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him.

38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

39We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree.

39And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,

40God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen,

40but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,

41not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

41not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.

42And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.

43All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins."

43To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

45And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

46For they heard them speaking in other tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded,

46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

47"Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

47“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

48He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.