1. In the city of Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a Roman army officer in what was called the Italian Unit.
2. He was a religious man. He and all the others who lived in his house were worshipers of the true God. He gave much of his money to help the poor people and always prayed to God.
3. One afternoon about three o’clock, Cornelius had a vision. He clearly saw an angel from God coming to him and saying, “Cornelius!”
4. Staring at the angel and feeling afraid, Cornelius said, “What do you want, sir?” The angel said to him, “God has heard your prayers and has seen your gifts to the poor. He remembers you and all you have done.
5. Send some men now to the city of Joppa to get a man named Simon, who is also called Peter.
6. He is staying with someone also named Simon, a leatherworker who has a house beside the sea.”
7. The angel who spoke to Cornelius left. Then Cornelius called two of his servants and a soldier. The soldier was a religious man, one of his close helpers.