Acts 10:24-35

²⁴and the day following he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them, and had invited his relatives and intimate friends to meet them.

²⁵So, when Peter entered the city, Cornelius met him, and, throwing himself at Peter's feet, bowed to the ground.

²⁶Peter, however, lifted him up, saying as he did so, “Stand up, I am only human like yourself.”

²⁷Talking with him as he went, Peter entered the house, where he found a large gathering of people, to whom he said,

²⁸“You are doubtless aware that it is forbidden for a Jew to be intimate with a foreigner, or even to enter his house; and yet God has shown me that I ought not to call anyone defiled or unclean.

²⁹That was why I came, when I was sent for, without raising any objection. And now I ask your reason for sending for me.”

³⁰“Just three days ago this very hour,” Cornelius said, “I was in my house, saying the Afternoon Prayers, when a man in dazzling clothing suddenly stood before me.

³¹‘Cornelius,’ he said, ‘your prayer has been heard, and your charities have been accepted, by God.

³²Therefore send to Jaffa, and invite the Simon, who is also known as Peter, to come here. He is lodging in the house of Simon the tanner, near the sea.’

³³Accordingly I sent to you at once, and you have been so good as to come. And now we are all here in the presence of God, to listen to all that you have been instructed by the Lord to say.”

³⁴Then Peter began. “I see, beyond all doubt,” he said, “that God does not show partiality,

³⁵but that in every nation he who reverences him and does what is right is acceptable to him.