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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 10

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1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

*A man named Cornelius lived in Caesarea. He was part of the Italian group and held the rank of centurion.

2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

*A religious man, who was afraid of God together with his entire family, generously gave a lot of help to others and constantly prayed to God.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

*At around 9 in the afternoon, he had a clear vision of an angel appearing to him and calling out his name, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

*When Jesus appeared to him, the man was scared and asked, "What's happening, Lord?" The Lord replied, "Your prayers and good deeds remember you in front of God."

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

*"Now, go to the city called Joppa and look for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter."

6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

*He stays at a tanner's named Simon's place, near the ocean; he will guide you on what you should do.

7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

*After the angel left Cornelius, he called two of his home helpers and a dedicated soldier who always served him.

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

*After telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

*The next day, while they continued their trip and got close to the city, Peter climbed onto the rooftop to pray around noon.

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

*He got extremely hungry and wanted to eat, but as they were preparing food, he entered a trance.

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

*Heaven opened, and a large sheet came down to him, like a blanket sewn at its four corners, and was lowered to the ground.

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

*In which were all kinds of land animals, wild creatures, crawling things, and birds in the sky.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

*A voice told Peter to get up and eat, even if it was something he wasn't supposed to eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

*But Peter replied, No, Lord; because I've never eaten anything impure or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

*The voice spoke to him again for the second time, saying, "What God has purified, do not consider as ordinary."

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

*This happened three times: then the ship went back to heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate,

*While Peter was unsure about the meaning of his vision, the men sent by Cornelius arrived at Simon's house and stood at the entrance.

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

*He asked if Simon, also known as Peter, was staying there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

*As Peter pondered the vision, the Spirit told him, "Three men are looking for you."

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

*So, get up, go with them, and don't doubt; because I'm the one who sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

*Then Peter met the men sent by Cornelius and said, "I am the person you're looking for. Why have you come?"

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

*They said, "Cornelius, the soldier, a fair man who respects God, and well-liked by everyone among the Jewish people, received a message from a holy angel sent by God to bring you to his home and listen to what you have to say."

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

*Then he invited them inside and gave them a place to stay. The next day, Peter went with them, and some people from Joppa joined them too.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

*The day after they arrived in Caesarea, Cornelius was waiting for them and invited his family members and close friends to join him.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

*As Peter entered, Cornelius bowed down and worshiped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

*But Peter helped him up, saying, "Get up; I'm also just a person like you."

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

*As he was talking to someone, he went inside and saw a lot of people gathered together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

*He told them, "You know it's not right for a Jewish person to be friends with or visit someone from another nation. But God has shown me that I shouldn't consider anyone as ordinary or unclean."

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

*So, I quickly came to you when I was called. Now, I'm asking why you asked for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

*Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I didn't eat all day up to this time. Then, at the ninth hour, I prayed in my home. Suddenly, a man dressed in bright clothes appeared in front of me."

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

*Cornelius, God has heard your prayers and remembered your good deeds.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

*"Go to Joppa and bring Simon, also known as Peter, from the house of a tanner named Simon near the seashore. When he arrives, he will talk to you."

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

*So right away, I sent for you, and you did a good job coming. Now, everyone is here with us in front of God, listening to everything God commands you to do.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

*Then Peter spoke up, saying, "I truly understand that God doesn't favor some people over others."

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

*But in every country, those who fear him and do what's right are accepted by him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

*The message God gave to Israel's children was about peace through Jesus Christ. He is the ruler of everything.

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

*That phrase you understand, I tell you, which was shared everywhere in Judaea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism that John taught.

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

*God chose Jesus from Nazareth to receive special spiritual help and strength. Jesus then traveled, doing good things and healing everyone controlled by evil spirits. God always supported him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

*We saw everything he did in Jewish lands and Jerusalem. They killed him and hung him on a tree.

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

*God raised him on the third day and clearly displayed him.

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

*Not for everyone, but to witnesses picked by God, including us, who ate and drank with him after he came back to life.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

*He told us to tell people that he is the one chosen by God to judge those who are alive and those who have died.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

*All the prophets agree: Anyone who believes in him will be forgiven for their sins using his name.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

*While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on everyone who listened to the message.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

*The believers from the circumcision group were amazed, along with those who came with Peter, because the Holy Spirit's gift was given to the Gentiles too.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

*They heard them talk in different languages and praise God. Then Peter replied,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

*Can anyone stop water from being used to baptize these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just like us?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

*He told them to be baptized in the Lord's name. They asked him to stay for a few days and prayed for him.

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