1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
3
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.