he shearer,
So he opened not his mouth."

The Ethiopian said to Philip, "I beg of you, tell me of whom is the
prophet speaking? Of himself or of some one else?" Then Philip, taking
this verse as his text, told him the good news about Jesus. As they went
along, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said, "Here is water.
What prevents my being baptized?" So he ordered the chariot to stop, and
both went down into the water, and Philip baptized the man. After they
had come up from the water, the Spirit of the Lord sent Philip on his
way, and the Ethiopian did not see him again, but went away happy. But
Philip told the good news in every town until he reached Caesarea.

PETER AND THE ROMAN OFFICER

While Peter was going through the whole country, he stayed for a long
time at Joppa, in the house of Simon, a tanner.

Cornelius, the captain of the Italian guard, lived in Caesarea. He was a
righteous man and he and all his household worshipped God. He gave many
gifts to the poor people, and prayed to God at all times.

One day, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Cornelius had a vision;
and he saw an angel of God coming and saying to him, "Cornelius."
Looking straight at him, although he was afraid, Cornelius said, "What
is it, Lord?" The angel said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the
poor are pleasing to God. Now send men to Joppa, and bring a certain
Simon, whose other name is Peter. He is staying with Simon, a tanner,
whose house is by the seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had gone
away, Cornelius called two of his household servants, and a trusted
soldier who constantly waited on him. After he had explained everything
to them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the next day, about noon, as they were on their way, and were coming
near to Joppa, Peter went up to the housetop to pray. While he was
praying, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having found the way to
Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called out to ask whether
Simon, whose other name was Peter, was staying there. The Spirit said to
Peter, "See, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down, and do not
hesitate to go with them; for I have sent them." So Peter went down to
the men and said, "I am the man you are looking for; what do you want?"
They said, "Cornelius, a captain of the guard, a righteous man and one
who worships God and is well spoken of by all the Jews, was told by a
holy angel to send for you and ask you to c