19. Peter was still thinking about the vision. But the Spirit said to him, “Listen! Three men are looking for you.
20. Get up and go downstairs. Go with them and don’t ask questions. I have sent them to you.”
21. So Peter went down to the men. He said, “I am the man you are looking for. Why did you come here?”
22. They said, “A holy angel spoke to Cornelius, an army officer. He is a good man; he worships God. All the Jewish people respect him. The angel told Cornelius to ask you to his house so that he can hear what you have to say.”
23. Peter asked the men to come in and spend the night.The next day Peter got ready and went with them. Some of the brothers from Joppa joined him.
24. On the following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them. He had called together his relatives and close friends.
25. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him. He fell at Peter’s feet and worshiped him.
26. But Peter helped him up, saying, “Stand up! I too am only a man.”
27. Peter went on talking with Cornelius as they went inside. There Peter saw many people together.
28. He said, “You people understand that it is against our Jewish law for a Jew to associate with or visit anyone who is not a Jew. But God has shown me that I should not call any person ‘unholy’ or ‘unclean.’
29. That is why I did not argue when I was asked to come here. Now, please tell me why you sent for me.”
30. Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was praying in my house. It was at this same time—three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, there was a man standing before me wearing shining clothes.
31. He said, ‘Cornelius! God has heard your prayer. He has seen what you give to the poor. And God remembers you.
32. So send some men to Joppa and ask Simon Peter to come. Peter is staying in the house of a man, also named Simon, who is a leatherworker. His house is beside the sea.’
33. So I sent for you immediately, and it was very good of you to come. Now we are all here before God to hear everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34. Peter began to speak: “I really understand now that to God every person is the same.
35. God accepts anyone who worships him and does what is right. It is not important what country a person comes from.