Chapter 19

Moses on Sinai

1 aIn the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, 1on that very day they came into the wilderness of bSinai.

2 When they set out from aRephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of bthe mountain.

3 Moses went up to God, and athe Lord 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 bore you on beagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.

5 ‘Now then, aif you will indeed obey My voice and bkeep My covenant, then you shall be cMy 1own possession among all the peoples, for dall the earth is Mine;

6 and 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.”

7 aSo Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him.

8 aAll the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.

9 The Lord 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 the Lord.

10 The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and aconsecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them bwash their garments;

11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on athe third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

12 “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 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.”

14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.

15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

16 aSo it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were 1thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the 1foot of the mountain.

The Lord Visits Sinai

18 aNow Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it bin fire; and its smoke ascended like cthe smoke of a furnace, and dthe whole mountain 1quaked violently.

19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and aGod answered him with 1thunder.

20 aThe Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, 1warn the people, so that athey do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them 2perish.

22 “Also let the apriests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.”

23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You 1warned us, saying, ‘aSet bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’ ”

24 Then the Lord 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 the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.