1 Vivia em Cesareia um homem chamado Cornélio, oficial de um regimento do exército romano chamado "Italiano". 2 Era um homem piedoso e temente a Deus, como também toda a sua casa. Dava generosamente aos pobres e orava com regularidade a Deus. 3 Certa tarde, seriam umas três horas, teve claramente uma visão em que um anjo de Deus se aproximava dele. "Cornélio!", disse-lhe o anjo.

4 Cornélio olhou-o cheio de medo: "Que queres, Senhor?"

O anjo respondeu: "As tuas orações e a tua generosidade não têm passado despercebidas a Deus! 5 Pois agora envia alguns homens a Jope, para procurarem Simão Pedro, 6 que está com Simão, o curtidor, perto do mar, e pede-lhe que venha visitar-te."

7 Logo que o anjo se foi embora, Cornélio chamou dois dos seus servos e um soldado, também ele piedoso, que pertencia à sua guarda pessoal. 8 E contando-lhes o que acontecera, enviou-os a Jope.

9 No dia seguinte, quando eles se aproximavam da cidade, Pedro subiu ao terraço para orar; era meio-dia. 10 Tinha fome e, enquanto lhe preparavam o almoço, teve uma visão. 11 Viu o céu aberto e um grande pano, pendurado pelos quatro cantos, pousar no chão. 12 Dentro havia toda a espécie de animais da terra, répteis e aves do céu. 13 Uma voz disse-lhe: "Levanta-te, Pedro, mata e come!"

14 "Nunca, Senhor!", declarou Pedro. "Jamais comi na minha vida qualquer coisa que fosse impura ou imunda."

15 E a voz tornou a dizer-lhe: "Não consideres impuro o que Deus tornou limpo!" 16 A mesma visão se repetiu três vezes, até que o pano foi de novo puxado para o céu.

17 Pedro ficou a pensar naquilo. Que queria dizer semelhante visão? Que deveria ele fazer? Nesse momento os homens mandados por Cornélio, tendo encontrado a casa, chegavam à porta 18 perguntando se era ali que estava Simão Pedro. 19 Entretanto, enquanto Pedro cismava na visão, o Espírito Santo disse-lhe: "Vieram três homens à tua procura. 20 Desce, vai ao encontro deles e acompanha-os. Não receies; fui eu que os mandei."

21 Pedro desceu e apresentou-se: "Sou o homem que procuram. Que querem de mim?"

22 Eles disseram-lhe: "Cornélio, o oficial romano, homem justo e temente a Deus, que granjeou um bom testemunho junto de toda a nação judaica, recebeu instruções de um santo anjo para te convidar a ir a sua casa e ouvir o que tiveres para lhe dizer." 23 Pedro convidou-os a entrar e passaram a noite em sua casa.

No dia seguinte foi com eles, acompanhado por alguns outros crentes de Jope. 24 Chegaram a Cesareia no outro dia. Cornélio esperava-o já na companhia de parentes e amigos íntimos. 25 Logo que Pedro entrou na sua casa, Cornélio lançou-se aos seus pés para o adorar. 26 Mas Pedro impediu-o: "Levanta-te, que sou um homem como tu!" 27 Pedro ia a conversar com ele e entrou; e encontrou muita gente aí reunida.

28 Pedro disse-lhes: "Sabem que é contra as leis judaicas eu relacionar-me com um estrangeiro ou entrar no seu lar. Contudo, Deus mostrou-me numa visão que nunca deveria considerar alguém impuro ou imundo. 29 Apressei-me pois a vir. Digam-me: porque me mandaram vir?"

30 Cornélio respondeu: "Há quatro dias, estava eu a orar, como de costume às três horas da tarde, quando me apareceu um homem com roupas brilhantes, 31 que me disse: ‘Cornélio, as tuas orações e a tua generosidade foram ouvidas e Deus reparou nos teus atos de generosidade. 32 Envia alguns homens a Jope e manda vir Simão Pedro, que está hospedado em casa de Simão, o curtidor, que mora perto do mar.’ 33 Assim, mandei-te chamar imediatamente e fizeste bem em vir depressa. Agora estamos todos presentes diante de Deus, ansiosos por ouvir o que ele te mandou dizer-nos!"

34 E Pedro respondeu: "Agora verdadeiramente vejo que Deus não é parcial! 35 Ele aceita pessoas de todas as nações que o temem e fazem o que é justo. 36 Estou certo de que ouviram as boas novas dirigidas ao povo de Israel: que há paz com Deus por Jesus Cristo, Senhor de toda a criação. 37 Esta mensagem espalhou-se por toda a Judeia, começando na Galileia depois do batismo que João pregou. 38 E sabem, sem dúvida, como Deus ungiu Jesus de Nazaré com o Espírito Santo e poder, andando por toda a parte a praticar o bem e a curar os que estavam sob o poder do Diabo, pois Deus estava com ele.

39 Nós, apóstolos, somos testemunhas de tudo o que ele fez na terra da Judeia e em Jerusalém, onde o mataram num madeiro. 40 Mas Deus tornou a dar-lhe a vida três dias mais tarde e mostrou-o a certas testemunhas, 41 que tinha já escolhido; não ao povo em geral, mas a nós que comemos e bebemos com ele depois de ter ressuscitado dos mortos. 42 Mandou-nos pregar as boas novas e dar testemunho de que Jesus foi enviado por Deus para ser juiz dos vivos e dos mortos. 43 E todos os profetas escreveram a seu respeito, dizendo que quem nele crê terá perdoados os pecados, pelo seu nome."

44 Enquanto Pedro dizia estas coisas, o Espírito Santo desceu sobre quantos o escutavam. 45 Os crentes oriundos da circuncisão que tinham ido com Pedro ficaram pasmados ao verem que o dom do Espírito Santo tinha sido derramado também sobre os gentios. 46 De facto, ouviam-nos falar em línguas diferentes, magnificando a Deus.

Pedro perguntou então: 47 "Poderá alguém opor-se a que sejam batizados na água, agora que receberam o Espírito Santo tal como nós?" 48 E assim deu ordem que fossem batizados em nome de Jesus Cristo. Depois Cornélio pediu-lhe que ficasse em sua casa durante alguns dias.

1 There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 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. 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. 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. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is 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. 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; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, 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: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into 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: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into 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, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have 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? 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. 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. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come 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. 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? 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, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 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. 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.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 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. 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: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 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. 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. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.