4. Cornelius was surprised and stared at the angel. Then he asked, “What is this all about?”The angel answered, “God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor.
5. Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter.
6. He is staying with Simon the leather maker, who lives in a house near the sea.”
7. After saying this, the angel left.Cornelius called in two of his servants and one of his soldiers who worshipped God.
8. He explained everything to them and sent them off to Joppa.
9. The next day about midday these men were coming near Joppa. Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray
10. and became very hungry. While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision.
11. He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners.
12. In it were all kinds of animals, snakes, and birds.
13. A voice said to him, “Peter, get up! Kill these and eat them.”
14. But Peter said, “Lord, I can't do that! I've never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat.”
15. The voice spoke to him again, “When God says that something can be used for food, don't say it isn't fit to eat.”
16. This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.
17. Peter was still wondering what all this meant, when the men sent by Cornelius came and stood at the gate. They had found their way to Simon's house
18. and were asking if Simon Peter was staying there.