Study Desk

Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.

For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.

In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?

Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the street that is called Strait and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth.

And the Lord said to him: Go thy way: for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.

And all that heard him were astonished and said: Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon this name and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?

And he found there a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed for eight years, who was ill of the palsy.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.