Exodus 19
1 In the third month after the people of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai.
In the third month after the children of Israel went out from Egypt, on the same day, they came into the waste land of Sinai.
2 After they left Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness in front of the mountain.
And when they had gone away from Rephidim and had come into the waste land of Sinai, they put up their tents in the waste land before the mountain: there Israel put up its tents.
3 Moses went up to God. Yahweh called to him from the mountain and said, “You must tell the house of Jacob, the people of Israel:
And Moses went up to God, and the voice of the Lord came to him from the mountain, saying, Say to the family of Jacob, and give word to the children of Israel:
4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I took you, as on eagles' wings, guiding you to myself.
5 Now then, if you obediently listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession from among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.
If now you will truly give ear to my voice and keep my agreement, you will be my special property out of all the peoples: for all the earth is mine:
6 You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me. These are the words that you must speak to the people of Israel.”
And you will be a kingdom of priests to me, and a holy nation. These are the words which you are to say to the children of Israel.
7 So Moses came and summoned the elders of the people. He set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him.
And Moses came and sent for the chiefs of the people and put before them all these words which the Lord had given him orders to say.
8 All the people answered together and said, “We will do everything that Yahweh has said.” Then Moses came to report the people's words to Yahweh.
And all the people, answering together, said, Whatever the Lord has said we will do. And Moses took back to the Lord the words of the people.
9 Yahweh said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever.” Then Moses told the people's words to Yahweh.
And the Lord said to Moses, See, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that what I say to you may come to the ears of the people and they may have belief in you for ever. And Moses gave the Lord word of what the people had said.
10 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people. Today and tomorrow you must set them apart to me, and make them wash their garments.
And the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and make them holy today and tomorrow, and let their clothing be washed.
11 Be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down to Mount Sinai.
And by the third day let them be ready: for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai, before the eyes of all the people.
12 You must set boundaries all around the mountain for the people. Say to them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.'
And let limits be marked out for the people round the mountain, and say to them, Take care not to go up the mountain or near the sides of it: whoever puts his foot on the mountain will certainly come to his death:
13 No one's hand must touch such a person. Instead, he must certainly be stoned or shot. Whether it is a person or an animal, he must be put to death. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may come up to the foot of the mountain.”
He is not to be touched by a hand, but is to be stoned or have an arrow put through him; man or beast, he is to be put to death: at the long sounding of a horn they may come up to the mountain.
14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set apart the people to Yahweh and they washed their garments.
Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and made the people holy; and their clothing was washed.
15 He said to the people, “Be ready on the third day; do not go near your wives.”
And he said to the people, Be ready by the third day: do not come near a woman.
16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunder and lightning bolts and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud trumpet. All the people in the camp trembled.
And when morning came on the third day, there were thunders and flames and a thick cloud on the mountain, and a horn sounding very loud; and all the people in the tents were shaking with fear.
17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
And Moses made the people come out of their tents and take their places before God; and they came to the foot of the mountain,
18 Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because Yahweh descended on it in fire and smoke. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.
And all the mountain of Sinai was smoking, for the Lord had come down on it in fire: and the smoke of it went up like the smoke of a great burning; and all the mountain was shaking.
19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in a voice.
And when the sound of the horn became louder and louder, Moses' words were answered by the voice of God.
20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and he summoned Moses to the top. So Moses went up.
Then the Lord came down on to Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and the Lord sent for Moses to come up to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to me to look, or many of them will perish.
And the Lord said to Moses, Go down and give the people orders to keep back, for fear that a great number of them, forcing their way through to see the Lord, may come to destruction.
22 Let the priests also who come near to me set themselves apart—prepare themselves for my coming—so that I do not attack them.”
And let the priests who come near to the Lord make themselves holy, for fear that the Lord may come on them suddenly.
23 Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you commanded us: 'Set boundaries around the mountain and set it apart to Yahweh.'”
And Moses said to the Lord, The people will not be able to come up the mountain, for you gave us orders to put limits round the mountain, marking it out and making it holy.
24 Yahweh said to him, “Go, get down the mountain, and bring up Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through the barrier to come up to me, or I will attack them.”
And the Lord said to him, Go down, and you and Aaron may come up; but let not the priests and the people make their way through to the Lord, or he will come on them suddenly.
25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.
So Moses went down to the people and said this to them.
