5. Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter.
6. He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast."
7. When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants along with a pious soldier from his personal staff.
8. He explained everything to them, then sent them to Joppa.
9. At noon on the following day, as their journey brought them close to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
10. He became hungry and wanted to eat. While others were preparing the meal, he had a visionary experience.
11. He saw heaven opened up and something like a large linen sheet being lowered to the earth by its four corners.
12. Inside the sheet were all kinds of four-legged animals, reptiles, and wild birds.
13. A voice told him, "Get up, Peter! Kill and eat!"
14. Peter exclaimed, "Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15. The voice spoke a second time, "Never consider unclean what God has made pure."
16. This happened three times, then the object was suddenly pulled back into heaven.
17. Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate.
18. Calling out, they inquired whether the Simon known as Peter was a guest there.
19. While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, "Look! Three people are looking for you.
20. Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them."