The Presence of the Lord

33:7 16 Moses took17 the tent18 and pitched it outside the camp, at a good distance19 from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. Anyone20 seeking21 the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting that was outside the camp.

33:8 And when Moses went out22 to the tent, all the people would get up23 and stand at the entrance to their tents24 and watch25 Moses until he entered the tent.26 33:9 And27 whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord28 would speak with Moses.29 33:10 When all the people would see the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people, each one at the entrance of his own tent, would rise and worship.30 33:11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face,31 the way a person speaks32 to a friend. Then Moses33 would return to the camp, but his servant, Joshua son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the tent.34

33:12 Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have been saying to me, ‘Bring this people up,’35 but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. But you said, ‘I know you by name,36 and also you have found favor in my sight.’ 33:13 Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me37 your way, that I may know you,38 that I may continue to find39 favor in your sight. And see40 that this nation is your people.”

33:14 And the Lord41 said, “My presence42 will go with you,43 and I will give you rest.”44

33:15 And Moses45 said to him, “If your presence does not go46 with us,47 do not take us up from here.48 33:16 For how will it be known then that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not by your going with us, so that we will be distinguished, I and your people, from all the people who are on the face of the earth?”49

33:17 The Lord said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have requested, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know50 you by name.”

33:18 And Moses51 said, “Show me your glory.”52

33:19 And the Lord53 said, “I will make all my goodness54 pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name55 before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”56 33:20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for no one can57 see me and live.”58 33:21 The Lord said, “Here59 is a place by me; you will station yourself60 on a rock. 33:22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and will cover61 you with my hand62 while I pass by.63 33:23 Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back,64 but my face must not be seen.”65