There was, at Caesarea, a centurion named Cornelius, belonging to what is called the Italian cohort,

Vir autem quidam erat in Cæsarea, nomine Cornelius, centurio cohortis quæ dicitur Italica,

And there was a certain man in Cæsarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band;

a pious man who worshipped the true God, like all his household, gave alms freely to the people, and prayed to God continually.

religiosus, ac timens Deum cum omni domo sua, faciens eleemosynas multas plebi, et deprecans Deum semper.

A religious man, and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God.

He, about the ninth hour of the day, had a vision, in which he clearly saw an angel of God come in and address him by his name.

Is vidit in visu manifeste, quasi hora diei nona, angelum Dei introëuntem ad se, et dicentem sibi: Corneli.

This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him: Cornelius.

What is it, Lord? he asked, gazing at him in terror. And he answered, Thy prayers and alms-deeds are recorded on high in God’s sight.

At ille intuens eum, timore correptus, dixit: Quid est, domine? Dixit autem illi: Orationes tuæ et eleemosynæ tuæ ascenderunt in memoriam in conspectu Dei.

And he, beholding him, being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God.

And now he would have thee send men to Joppa, to bring here one Simon, who is surnamed Peter;

Et nunc mitte viros in Joppen, et accersi Simonem quemdam, qui cognominatur Petrus:

And now send men to Joppe, and call hither one Simon, who is surnamed Peter:

he lodges with a tanner, called Simon, whose house is close to the sea; thou wilt learn from him what thou hast to do.

hic hospitatur apud Simonem quemdam coriarium, cujus est domus juxta mare: hic dicet tibi quid te oporteat facere.

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. He will tell thee what thou must do.

So the angel visitor left him, and thereupon he summoned two of his servants, and one of the soldiers who were in attendance on him, a man of piety;

Et cum discessisset angelus qui loquebatur illi, vocavit duos domesticos suos, et militem metuentem Dominum ex his qui illi parebant.

And when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him.

he told them all that had passed, and sent them on their way to Joppa.

Quibus cum narrasset omnia, misit illos in Joppen.

To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe.

Next day, while these were on their journey and were drawing near the city, Peter went up to the house-top about noon, to pray there.

Postera autem die, iter illis facientibus, et appropinquantibus civitati, ascendit Petrus in superiora ut oraret circa horam sextam.

And on the next day, whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house to pray, about the sixth hour.

He was hungry, and waiting for a meal; and while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance.

Et cum esuriret, voluit gustare. Parantibus autem illis, cecidit super eum mentis excessus:

And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstasy of mind.

He saw heaven opening, and a bundle, like a great sheet, let down by its four corners on to the earth;

et vidit cælum apertum, et descendens vas quoddam, velut linteum magnum, quatuor initiis submitti de cælo in terram,

And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth:

in it were all kinds of four-footed beasts, and things that creep on the earth, and all the birds of heaven.

in quo erant omnia quadrupedia, et serpentia terræ, et volatilia cæli.

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

And a voice came to him, Rise up, Peter, lay about thee and eat.

Et facta est vox ad eum: Surge, Petre: occide, et manduca.

And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; kill and eat.

It cannot be, Lord, answered Peter; never in my life have I eaten anything profane, anything unclean.

Ait autem Petrus: Absit Domine, quia numquam manducavi omne commune et immundum.

But Peter said: Far be it from me; for I never did eat any thing that is common and unclean.

Then the voice came to him a second time, It is not for thee to call anything profane, which God has made clean.

Et vox iterum secundo ad eum: Quod Deus purificavit, tu commune ne dixeris.

And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common.

Three times this happened, and then the bundle was drawn up again into heaven.

Hoc autem factum est per ter: et statim receptum est vas in cælum.

And this was done thrice; and presently the vessel was taken up into heaven.

Peter was still puzzling in his mind over the meaning of his vision, when Cornelius’ messengers, who had now found their way to Simon’s house, were seen standing at the gate;

Et dum intra se hæsitaret Petrus quidnam esset visio quam vidisset, ecce viri qui missi erant a Cornelio, inquirentes domum Simonis astiterunt ad januam.

Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself, what the vision that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from Cornelius, inquiring for Simon’s house, stood at the gate.

where they called out and asked if Simon, who was also called Peter, lodged there.

Et cum vocassent, interrogabant, si Simon qui cognominatur Petrus illic haberet hospitium.

And when they had called, they asked, if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

To Peter, as he was turning over the vision in his mind, the Spirit said, Here are three men asking for thee;

Petro autem cogitante de visione, dixit Spiritus ei: Ecce viri tres quærunt te.

And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee.

rise and go down, and accompany them without misgiving; it is I who have sent them.

Surge itaque, descende, et vade cum eis nihil dubitans: quia ego misi illos.

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

So Peter went down to the men; Here I am, he said, the man you are looking for; what is your errand?

Descendens autem Petrus ad viros, dixit: Ecce ego sum, quem quæritis: quæ causa est, propter quam venistis?

Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are come?

The centurion Cornelius, they said, a man who worships the true God and keeps his law, as all the Jewish people will testify, has received a revelation from one of the holy angels; he was to have thee brought to his house, and listen to what thou wouldst say.

Qui dixerunt: Cornelius centurio, vir justus et timens Deum, et testimonium habens ab universa gente Judæorum, responsum accepit ab angelo sancto accersire te in domum suam, et audire verba abs te.

Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Thereupon Peter bade them come in, and made them welcome; and next day he set out with them, accompanied by some of the brethren from Joppa.

Introducens ergo eos, recepit hospitio. Sequenti autem die, surgens profectus est cum illis, et quidam ex fratribus ab Joppe comitati sunt eum.

Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following he arose, and went with them: and some of the brethren from Joppe accompanied him.

The day after that, they reached Caesarea, where Cornelius was awaiting them; he had gathered his kinsmen and his closest friends about him.

Altera autem die introivit Cæsaream. Cornelius vero exspectabat illos, convocatis cognatis suis et necessariis amicis.

And the morrow after, he entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends.

And as soon as Peter had entered, he was met by Cornelius, who fell at his feet and did reverence to him;

Et factum est cum introisset Petrus, obvius venit ei Cornelius, et procidens ad pedes ejus adoravit.

And it came to pass, that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came to meet him, and falling at his feet adored.

but Peter raised him; Stand up, he said, I am a man like thyself.

Petrus vero elevavit eum, dicens: Surge: et ego ipse homo sum.

But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise, I myself also am a man.

So he went in, still conversing with him, and found a great company assembled.

Et loquens cum illo intravit, et invenit multos qui convenerant:

And talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

You know well enough, he told them, that a Jew is contaminated if he consorts with one of another race, or visits him; but God has been shewing me that we ought not to speak of any man as profane or unclean;

dixitque ad illos: Vos scitis quomodo abominatum sit viro Judæo conjungi aut accedere ad alienigenam: sed mihi ostendit Deus neminem communem aut immundum dicere hominem.

And he said to them: You know how abominable it is for a man that is a Jew, to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean.

and so, when I was sent for, I came without demur. Tell me then, why you have sent for me.

Propter quod sine dubitatione veni accersitus. Interrogo ergo, quam ob causam accersistis me?

For which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Three days ago, at this very time, I was making my afternoon prayer in my house, when suddenly I saw a man standing before me, in white clothes,

Et Cornelius ait: A nudiusquarta die usque ad hanc horam, orans eram hora nona in domo mea, et ecce vir stetit ante me in veste candida, et ait:

And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying in my house, at the ninth hour, and behold a man stood before me in white apparel, and said:

who said to me, Cornelius, thy prayer has been heard, thy almsdeeds have won remembrance in God’s sight.

Corneli, exaudita est oratio tua, et eleemosynæ tuæ commemoratæ sunt in conspectu Dei.

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

Thou art to send to Joppa, and summon thence that Simon who is also called Peter; he is lodging with a tanner called Simon, close to the sea.

Mitte ergo in Joppen, et accersi Simonem qui cognominatur Petrus: hic hospitatur in domo Simonis coriarii juxta mare.

Send therefore to Joppe, and call hither Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.

I lost no time, therefore, in sending for thee, and thou hast done me a favour in coming. Now thou seest us assembled in thy presence, ready to listen to whatever charge the Lord has given thee.

Confestim ergo misi ad te: et tu benefecisti veniendo. Nunc ergo omnes nos in conspectu tuo adsumus audire omnia quæcumque tibi præcepta sunt a Domino.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in coming. Now therefore all we are present in thy sight, to hear all things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.

Thereupon Peter began speaking; I see clearly enough, he said, that God makes no distinction between man and man;

Aperiens autem Petrus os suum, dixit: In veritate comperi quia non est personarum acceptor Deus;

And Peter opening his mouth, said: In very deed I perceive, that God is not a respecter of persons.

he welcomes anybody, whatever his race, who fears him and does what piety demands.

sed in omni gente qui timet eum, et operatur justitiam, acceptus est illi.

But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him.

God has sent his word to the sons of Israel, giving them news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Verbum misit Deus filiis Israël, annuntians pacem per Jesum Christum (hic est omnium Dominus).

God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all).

You have heard the story, a story which ran through the whole of Judaea, though it began in Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed;

Vos scitis quod factum est verbum per universam Judæam: incipiens enim a Galilæa post baptismum quod prædicavit Joannes,

You know the word which hath been published through all Judea: for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.

about Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, so that he went about doing good, and curing all those who were under the devil’s tyranny, with God at his side.

Jesum a Nazareth: quomodo unxit eum Deus Spiritu Sancto, et virtute, qui pertransiit benefaciendo, et sanando omnes oppressos a diabolo, quoniam Deus erat cum illo.

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

We are witnesses of all he did in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem. And they killed him, hanging him on a gibbet;

Et nos testes sumus omnium quæ fecit in regione Judæorum, et Jerusalem, quem occiderunt suspendentes in ligno.

And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.

but on the third day God raised him up again, and granted the clear sight of him,

Hunc Deus suscitavit tertia die, et dedit eum manifestum fieri,

Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,

not to the people at large, but to us, the witnesses whom God had appointed beforehand; we ate and drank in his company after his rising from the dead.

non omni populo, sed testibus præordinatis a Deo: nobis, qui manducavimus et bibimus cum illo postquam resurrexit a mortuis.

Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he arose again from the dead;

And he gave us a commission to preach to the people, and to bear witness that he, and none other, has been chosen by God to judge the living and the dead.

Et præcepit nobis prædicare populo, et testificari, quia ipse est qui constitutus est a Deo judex vivorum et mortuorum.

And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who was appointed by God, to be judge of the living and of the dead.

All the prophets bear him this testimony, that everyone who has faith in him is to find remission of sins through his name.

Huic omnes prophetæ testimonium perhibent remissionem peccatorum accipere per nomen ejus omnes qui credunt in eum.

To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

Before Peter had finished speaking to them thus, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to his message.

Adhuc loquente Petro verba hæc, cecidit Spiritus Sanctus super omnes qui audiebant verbum.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.

The faithful who had come over with Peter, holding to the tradition of circumcision as they did, were astonished to find that the free gift of the Holy Spirit could be lavished upon the Gentiles,

Et obstupuerunt ex circumcisione fideles qui venerant cum Petro, quia et in nationes gratia Spiritus Sancti effusa est.

And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

whom they heard speaking with tongues, and proclaiming the greatness of God.

Audiebant enim illos loquentes linguis, et magnificantes Deum.

For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God.

Then Peter said openly, Who will grudge us the water for baptizing these men, that have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?

Tunc respondit Petrus: Numquid aquam quis prohibere potest ut non baptizentur hi qui Spiritum Sanctum acceperunt sicut et nos?

Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

And he gave orders that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And after this, they asked him to stay on some days with them.

Et jussit eos baptizari in nomine Domini Jesu Christi. Tunc rogaverunt eum ut maneret apud eos aliquot diebus.

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.