Exodus 19:10–22

¹⁰The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart for me. Have them wash their clothes. ¹¹Have the people ready by the third day. On that day I will come down on Mount Sinai. Everyone will see it.

¹²“Put limits for the people around the mountain. Tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain. Do not even touch the foot of it. You can be sure that all who touch the mountain will be put to death. ¹³Do not lay a hand on any of them. Kill them with stones or shoot them with arrows. Whether they are people or animals, do not let them live.’ They may go up to the mountain only when the ram’s horn gives out a long blast.”

¹⁴Moses went down the mountain to the people. After he set them apart for the Lord, they washed their clothes. ¹⁵Then he spoke to the people. He said, “Get ready for the third day. Don’t make love.”

¹⁶On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear.

¹⁷Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain.

¹⁸Smoke covered Mount Sinai, because the Lord came down on it in fire. The smoke rose up from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain trembled and shook. ¹⁹The sound of the trumpet got louder and louder. Then Moses spoke. And the voice of God answered him.

²⁰The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai. He told Moses to come to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.

²¹The Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people. They must not force their way through to see me. If they do, many of them will die. ²²The priests approach me when they serve me. But even they must set themselves apart for me. If they do not, my anger will break out against them.”