Exodus 19
Israel at Sinai
19aIn the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on this day they came into the wilderness of bSinai. 2Then they set out from aRephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of bthe mountain.
3Now Moses went up to God, and aYahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4‘aYou yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on beagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5‘So now then, aif you will indeed listen to My voice and bkeep My covenant, then you shall be cMy treasured possession among all the peoples, for dall the earth is Mine; 6and you shall be to Me aa kingdom of priests and ba holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
7aSo Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words which Yahweh had commanded him. 8aAnd all the people answered together and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh. 9Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in aa thick cloud, so that the bpeople may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.
10Yahweh also said to Moses, “Go to the people and aset them apart as holy today and tomorrow, and let them bwash their garments; 11and let them be ready for the third day, for on athe third day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12“And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘1Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; awhoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13‘No hand shall touch him, but ahe shall surely be stoned or surely 1shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to bthe mountain.” 14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart as holy, and they washed their garments. 15And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16aSo it happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were 1thunder and lightning flashes and a 2thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the 1foot of the mountain.
Yahweh Descends on Mount Sinai
18aNow Mount Sinai was all in smoke because Yahweh descended upon it bin fire; and its smoke ascended like cthe smoke of a furnace, and dthe whole mountain trembled violently. 19And the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder; then Moses spoke and aGod answered him with 1thunder. 20aAnd Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go down, 1warn the people, lest athey break through to Yahweh to see, and many of them 2perish. 22“Also let the apriests who come near to Yahweh set themselves apart as holy, lest Yahweh break out against them.” 23And Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You 1warned us, saying, ‘aSet bounds about the mountain, and set it apart as holy.’” 24Then Yahweh said to him, “1Go down and come up again, ayou and Aaron with you; but do not let the bpriests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest He break out against them.” 25So Moses went down to the people and told them.