8. Cornelius explained everything to these three men and sent them to Joppa.
9. The next day as they came near Joppa, Peter was going up to the roof to pray. It was about noon.
10. Peter was hungry and wanted to eat. But while the food was being prepared, he had a vision.
11. He saw heaven opened and something coming down. It looked like a big sheet being lowered to earth by its four corners.
12. In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds.
13. Then a voice said to Peter, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
14. But Peter said, “No, Lord! I have never eaten food that is unholy or unclean.”
15. But the voice said to him again, “God has made these things clean. Don’t call them ‘unholy’!”
16. This happened three times. Then the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17. While Peter was wondering what this vision meant, the men Cornelius sent had found Simon’s house. They were standing at the gate.
18. They asked, “Is Simon Peter staying here?”
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.