rsv Acts:10:9-33 SEEK
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The next day ,
as they were on their journey and coming near the city ,
Peter went up on the housetop to pray ,
about the sixth hour .
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And he became hungry and desired something to eat ;
but while they were preparing it ,
he fell into a trance
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and saw the heaven opened ,
and something descending ,
like a great sheet ,
let down by four corners upon the earth .
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In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air .
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And there came a voice to him , "
Rise ,
Peter ;
kill and eat ."
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But Peter said , "
No ,
Lord ;
for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean ."
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And the voice came to him again a second time , "
What God has cleansed ,
you must not call common ."
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This happened three times ,
and the thing was taken up at once to heaven .
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Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean ,
behold ,
the men that were sent by Cornelius ,
having made inquiry for Simon '
s house ,
stood before the gate
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and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there .
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And while Peter was pondering the vision ,
the Spirit said to him , "
Behold ,
three men are looking for you .
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Rise and go down ,
and accompany them without hesitation ;
for I have sent them ."
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And Peter went down to the men and said , "
I am the one you are looking for ;
what is the reason for your coming ?"
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And 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 ."
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So he called them in to be his guests .
The next day he rose and went off with them ,
and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him .
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And on the following day they entered Caesare '
a .
Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and close friends .
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When Peter entered ,
Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him .
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But Peter lifted him up ,
saying , "
Stand up ;
I too am a man ."
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And as he talked with him ,
he went in and found many persons gathered ;
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and he said to them , "
You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit any one of another nation ;
but God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean .
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So when I was sent for ,
I came without objection .
I ask then why you sent for me ."
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And Cornelius said , "
Four days ago ,
about this hour ,
I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house ;
and behold ,
a man stood before me in bright apparel ,
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saying , `
Cornelius ,
your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God .
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Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter ;
he is lodging in the house of Simon ,
a tanner ,
by the seaside .'
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So I sent to you at once ,
and you have been kind enough to come .
Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God ,
to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord ."