Part 13

009:039 So Peter rose and went with them. On his arrival they took him upstairs, and the widow women all came and stood by his side, weeping and showing him the underclothing and cloaks and garments of all kinds which Dorcas used to make while she was still with them.

009:040 Peter, however, putting every one out of the room, knelt down and prayed, and then turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." Dorcas at once opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up.

009:041 Then, giving her his hand, he raised her to her feet and, calling to him God's people and the widows, he / 7 gave her back to them alive.

009:042 This incident became known throughout Jaffa, and many believed in the Lord;

009:043 and Peter remained for a considerable time at Jaffa, staying at the house of a man called Simon, a tanner.

010:001 Now a Captain of the Italian Regiment, named Cornelius, was quartered at Caesarea.

010:002 He was religious and God-fearing--and so was every member of his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people, and continually offered prayer to God.

010:003 About three o'clock one afternoon he had a vision, and distinctly saw an angel of God enter his house, who called him by name, saying, "Cornelius!"

010:004 Looking steadily at him, and being much alarmed, he said, "What do you want, Sir?" "Your prayers and charities," he replied, "have gone up and have been recorded before God.

010:005 And now send to Jaffa and fetch Simon, surnamed Peter.

010:006 He is staying as a guest with Simon, a tanner, who has a house close to the sea."

010:007 So when the angel who had been speaking to him was gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a God-fearing soldier who was in constant attendance on him,

010:008 and, after telling them everything, he sent them to Jaffa.

010:009 The next day, while they were still on their journey and were getting near the town, about noon Peter went up on the house-top to pray.

010:010 He had become unusually hungry and wished for food; but, while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.

010:011 The sky had opened to his view, and what seemed to be an enormous sail was descending, being let down to the earth by ropes at the four corners.

010:012 In it were all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles and birds,

010:013 and a voice came to him which said, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat."

010:014 "On no account, Lord," he replied; "for I have never yet eaten anything unholy and impure."

010:015 Again a second time a voice was heard which said, "What God has purified, you must not regard as unholy."

010:016 This was said three times, and immediately the sail was drawn up out of sight.

010:017 While Peter was greatly perplexed as to the meaning of the vision which he had seen, just then the men sent by Cornelius, having by inquiry found out Simon's house,

010:018 had come to the door and had called the servant, and were asking, "Is Simon, surnamed Peter, staying here?"

010:019 And Peter was still earnestly thinking over the vision, when the Spirit said to him, "Three men are now inquiring for you.

010:020 Rise, go down, and go with them without any misgivings; for it is I who have sent them to you."

010:021 So Peter went down and said to the men, "I am the Simon you are inquiring for. What is the reason of your coming?"

010:022 Their reply was, "Cornelius, a Captain, an upright and God-fearing man, of whom the whole Jewish nation speaks well, has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and listen to what you have to say."

010:023 Upon hearing this, Peter invited them in, and gave them a lodging. The next day he set out with them, some of the brethren from Jaffa going with him,