V 001 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion
of the band called the Italian band,
V 002 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which
gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
V 003 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.
V 004 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.
V 005 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname
is Peter:
V 006 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea
side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
V 007 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;
V 008 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them
to Joppa.
V 009 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:
V 010 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they
made ready, he fell into a trance,
V 011 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him,
as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to
the earth:
V 012 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
V 013 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
V 014 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing
that is common or unclean.
V 015 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
V 016 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into
heaven.
V 017 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,
V 018 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter,
were lodged there.
V 019 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him,
Behold, three men seek thee.
V 020 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them.
V 021 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?
V 022 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.
V 023 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter
went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
V 024 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius
waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near
friends.
V 025 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at
his feet, and worshipped him.
V 026 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
V 027 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were
come together.
V 028 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.
V 029 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?
V 030 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,
V 031 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had
in remembrance in the sight of God.
V 032 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.
V 033 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.
V 034 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons:
V 035 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him.
V 036 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
V 037 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all
Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
V 038 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.
V 039 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:
V 040 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
V 041 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even
to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
V 042 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.
V 043 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
V 044 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word.
V 045 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.
V 046 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered Peter,
V 047 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
V 048 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days. |
|
بطرس وكورنيليوس
1-
وكانَ في قيصَرِيَّةَ رَجُلٌ اَسمُهُ
كُورنيليوسُ، ضابِطِ مِنَ الفِرقَةِ الإيطالِـيَّةِ في
الجَيشِ.
2-
كانَ تَقِـيُا يَخافُ الله هوَ وجميعُ أهلِ
بَيتِهِ، ويُحسِنُ إلى الشَّعبِ بِسَخاءٍ، ويُداوِمُ على
الصَّلاةِ لله.
3-
فرأَى نحوَ السّاعَةِ الثالِثَةِ مِنَ
النَّهارِ في رُؤيا واضِحَةٍ مَلاكَ الله يدخُلُ علَيهِ
ويُناديهِ: «يا كُورنيليوسُ!
«
4- فنظَرَ إلَيهِ في خَوفٍ وقالَ: «ما الخبَرُ، يا سيِّدي؟«
فقالَ لَه المَلاكُ: «صَعِدَت صَلَواتُكَ وأعمالُكَ
الخَيريَّةُ إلى الله، فتَذَكَّركَ.
5- فأرسِلِ الآنَ رِجالاً
إلى يافا وَجِئْ بسِمعانَ الذي يُقالُ لَه بُطرُسُ.
6- فهوَ
نازِلٌ عِندَ دبّاغِ اَسمُهُ سِمعانُ وبَيتُهُ على شاطئِ
البحرِ«.
7- فلمَّا اَنصَرَفَ المَلاكُ الذي كانَ يُكَلِّمُهُ، دَعا
اَثنَينِ مِنْ خَدَمِهِ وجُنديُا تَقيُا مِنْ أخِصّائِهِ،
8- وأخبرَهُم بِكُلِّ ما جَرى، وأرسَلَهُم إلى يافا.
9- فساروا في الغَدِ. وبَينَما هُم يَقتَرِبونَ
مِنْ يافا، صَعِدَ بُطرُسُ إلى السَّطحِ نحوَ الظُّهرِ
ليُصلِّيَ،
10- فجاعَ وأرادَ أنْ يأكُلَ. ولمّا أخَذوا
يُهيِّئونَ لَه الطَّعامَ وقَعَ في غَيبوبةٍ،
11- فرأى
السَّماءَ مَفتوحَةً، وشيئًا يُشبِهُ قِطعةَ قماشٍ كبـيرةً
مَعقودَةً بأطرافِها الأربعةِ تَتَدلَّى إلى الأرضِ.
12- وكانَ
علَيها مِنْ جميعِ دَوابِّ الأرضِ وزحّافاتِها وطُيورِ
السَّماءِ.
13- وجاءَهُ صَوتٌ يقولُ لَه: «يا بُطرُسُ، قُمِ
اَذبَحْ وكُلْ«.
14- فقالَ بُطرُسُ: «لا يا ربُّ! ما أكَلتُ في حياتي نَجِسًا
أو دَنِسًا«.
15- فقالَ لَه الصوتُ ثانيَةً: «ما طَهَّرهُ الله لا
تَعتَبِرْهُ أنتَ نَجِسًا!
«
16- وحدَثَ هذا ثلاثَ مَرّاتٍ، ثُمَ اَرتفَعَ الشيءُ في الحالِ
إلى السَّماءِ.
17- وبَينَما بُطرُسُ في حَيرَةٍ يُسائِلُ
نَفسَهُ ما مَعنى هذِهِ الرُؤيا التي رآها، كانَ الرِّجالُ
الذينَ أرْسَلَهُم كُورنيليوسُ سألوا عَنْ بَيتِ سِمعانَ
ووَقَفوا بالبابِ
18- ونادُوا مُستَخبِرينَ: «هَلْ سِمعانُ
الذي يُقالُ لَه بُطرُسُ نازِلٌ هُنا؟«
19- كانَ بُطرُسُ لا يَزالُ يُفَكِّرُ في الرُؤيا، فقالَ لَه
الرُّوحُ: «هُنا ثلاثةُ رِجالٍ يَطلُبونَكَ،
20- فقُمْ
واَنزِلْ إلَيهِم واَذهَبْ مَعَهُم ولا تَخَفْ، لأنِّي أنا
أرسَلْتُهُم«.
21- فنَزَلَ بُطرُسُ وقالَ لهُم: «أنا هوَ الذي تَطلُبونَهُ.
لِماذا جِئتُم؟«
22- أجابوا: «أرسَلَنا الضابِطُ كُورنيليوسُ، وهوَ رَجُلٌ
صالِحٌ يَخافُ الله ويَشهَدُ على فَضلِهِ جميعُ اليَهودِ،
لأنَّ مَلاكًا طاهِرًا أبلَغَهُ أنْ يَجيءَ بِكَ إلى بَيتِهِ
ليَسمَعَ ما عِندَك مِنْ كلامِ«.
23- فدعاهُمْ بُطرُسُ وأنزَلَهُم عِندَهُ.وفي الغدِ، قامَ وذهَبَ مَعهُم يُرافِقُهُ
بَعضُ الإخوةِ مِنْ يافا،
24-
فوصَلَ إلى قَيصَريَّةَ في
اليومِ التالي. وكانَ كُورنيليوسُ يَنتَظِرُهُم معَ الذينَ
دَعاهُم مِنْ أنسِبائِهِ وأخَصِّ أصدقائِهِ.
25-
فلمَّا دخَلَ
بُطرُسُ، اَستَقْبَلَهُ كُورنيليوسُ واَرتَمى ساجِدًا لَه.
26-
فأنهَضَهُ بُطرُسُ وقالَ لَه: «قُمْ، ما أنا إلاَّ بَشَرٌ
مِثلُكَ!
«
27-
ودخَلَ وهوَ يُحادِثُهُ، فوَجَدَ جَمعًا كَبـيرًا مِنَ
النـاسِ،
28-
فقالَ لهُم: «تَعرِفونَ
أنَّ
اليَهودِيَ لا يَحِلُّ لَه أنْ يُخالِطَ
أجنَبِيُا، أو يَدخُلَ بَيتَهُ. لكِنَ الله أراني أنْ لا
أحسُبَ أحدًا مِنَ الناسِ نَجِسًا أو دَنِسًا.
29-
فلمَّا
دَعَوتُموني جِئْتُ مِنْ غَيرِ اَعتِراضٍ. فأسألُكُم:
لِماذا دَعَوتُموني؟«
30-
فقالَ كُورنيليوسُ: «كُنتُ مِنْ أربعةِ
أيّامِ أُصَلـي في بَيتي عِندَ السّاعَةِ الثالِثَةِ بَعدَ
الظُّهرِ، فرَأيتُ رَجُلاً علَيهِ ثِيابٌ بَرّاقةِ يَقِفُ
أمامي
31-
ويَقولُ لي: «يا كُورنيليوسُ! سَمِعَ
الله صَلواتِكَ وذكَرَ أعمالَكَ الخَيريَّةَ،
32-
فأرسِلْ
إلى يافا، واَستَدْعِ سِمعانَ الذي يُقالُ لَه بُطرُسُ،
فهوَ نازِلٌ في بَيتِ سِمعانَ الدَّبّاغِ على شاطئِ
البحرِ«.
33- فأرسَلتُ إلَيكَ في الحالِ، وأنتَ أحسَنْتَ في
مَجيئِكَ. ونَحنُ الآنَ جَميعًا في حَضرَةِ الله
لنَسمَعَ كُلَ ما أمَرَكَ بِه الرَّبُّ«.
عظة بطرس
34-
فقالَ بُطرُسُ: «أرى أنَّ الله في
الحَقيقةِ لا يُفَضِّلُ أحدًا على أحدٍ،
35-
فمَنْ خافَهُ
مِنْ أيَّةِ أُمَّةٍ كانَت وعَمِلَ الخيرَ كانَ مَقبولاً
عِندَهُ.
36-
أرسَلَ كَلِمَتَهُ إلى بَني إِسرائيلَ
يُعلِنُ بِشارَةَ السلامِ بِيَسوعَ المَسيحِ الذي هوَ
رَبُّ العالَمينَ.
37-
وأنتُم تَعرِفونَ ما جرى في
اليَهوديَّةِ كُلِّها، اَبتداءً مِنَ الجَليلِ بَعدَ
المَعموديَّةِ التي دعا إلَيها يوحنَّا،
38-
وكيفَ مسَحَ
الله يَسوعَ الناصِريَ بالرُّوحِ القُدُسِ والقُدرَةِ،
فسارَ في كُلِّ مكانٍ يَعمَلُ الخَيرَ ويَشفي جميعَ
الذينَ اَستولى علَيهِم إبليسُ، لأنَّ الله كانَ معَهُ.
39-
ونَحنُ شُهودٌ على كُلِّ ما عَمِلَ مِنَ الخَيرِ في
بِلادِ اليَهودِ وفي أُورُشليمَ. وهوَ الذي صَلَبوهُ
وقَتَلوهُ.
40-
ولكِنَ الله أقامَهُ في اليومِ الثالِثِ
وأعطاهُ أنْ يَظهَرَ،
41-
لا لِلشَعبِ كُلِّهِ، بل
لِلشُهودِ الذينَ اَختارَهُمُ الله مِنْ قَبلُ، أي لنا
نَحنُ الذينَ أكلوا وشَرِبوا معَهُ بَعدَ قيامَتِهِ مِنْ
بَينِ الأمواتِ.
42-
وأوصانا أنْ نُبَشِّرَ الشَّعبَ
ونَشْهَدَ أنَّ الله جَعَلَهُ ديَّانًا لِلأحياءِ
والأموات.
43-
ولَه يَشهَدُ جميعُ الأنبِياءِ بِأَنَّ كُلَ
مَنْ آمنَ بِه يَنالُ باَسمِهِ غُفرانَ الخَطايا«.
حلول الروح القدس على غير اليهود
44-
وبَينَما بُطرُسُ يَتكَلَّمُ، نزَلَ
الرُّوحُ القُدُسُ على جميعِ الذينَ يَسمَعونَ كلامَهُ.
45-
فتَعَجَّبَ أهلُ الخِتانِ الذينَ رافَقوا
بُطرُسَ حينَ رأَوا أنَّ الله أفاضَ هِبةَ الرُّوحِ
القُدُسِ على غَيرِ اليَهودِ أيضًا،
46-
لأنَّهُم سَمِعوهُم يتكَلَّمونَ بِلُغاتٍ
غَيرِ لُغَتِهِم ويُعَظِّمونَ الله. فقالَ بُطرُسُ:
47- »هَؤلاءِ
الناسُ نالوا الرُّوحَ القُدُسَ مِثلَنا نَحنُ، فمَنْ
يُمكِنُهُ أنْ يَمنَعَ عَنهُم ماءَ المَعموديَّةِ؟«
48- وأمَرَهُم بأنْ يتَعَمَّدوا باَسمِ يَسوعَ المَسيحِ.
فدَعَوْه إلى أنْ يُقيمَ عِندَهُم بِضعةَ أيّامِ. |