Exodus 19

Israel at Mount Sinai

1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai.2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel:4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself.5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.8 Then all the people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do. So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.9 And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever. So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.10 Then the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes.11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.12 You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.13 Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live. When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes.15 And he said to the people, Be ready for the third day; do not come near your wives.16 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.20 Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.21 And the Lord said to Moses, Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish.22 Also let the priests who come near the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.23 But Moses said to the Lord, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.24 Then the Lord said to him, Away! Get down and then come up, you and Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest He break out against them.25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.

EXODUS 19

At Mount Sinai

1-2 The Israelites left Rephidimt and arrived at the desert. Then two months after leaving Egypt, they arrived at the desert near Mount Sinai, where they set up camp at the foot of the mountain. This was two months after they had left Egypt.

3 Moses went up the mountain to meet with the [Lord] God, who told him to say to the people:
4 You saw what I did in Egypt, and you know how I brought you here to me, just as a mighty eagle carries its young. 5 t t Now if you will faithfully obey me, you will be my very own people. The whole world is mine,

6 t but you will be my holy nation and serve me as priests.
Moses, that is what you must tell the Israelites.
7 After Moses went back, he reported to the leaders what the [Lord] had said,

8 and they all promised, “We will do everything the [Lord] has commanded.” So Moses told the [Lord] about this.

9 The [Lord] said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud and let the people hear me speak to you. Then they will always trust you.” Again Moses reported to the [Lord] what the people had said.

10 Once more the [Lord] spoke to Moses:
Go back and tell the people that today and tomorrow they must get themselves ready to meet me. They must wash their clothes

11 and be ready by the day after tomorrow, when I will come down to Mount Sinai, where all of them can see me.
12  t Warn the people that they are forbidden to touch any part of the mountain. Anyone who does will be put to death,

13 either with stones or arrows, and no one must touch the body of the person being put to death in this way. Even an animal that touches this mountain must be put to death. You may go up the mountain only after a signal is given on the trumpet.
14 After Moses went down the mountain, he gave orders for the people to wash their clothes and make themselves acceptable to worship God.

15 He told them to be ready in three days and not to have sex in the meantime.

The [Lord] Comes //to Mount Sinai

17 Moses led them out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the [Lord] had come down in a flaming fire. Smoke poured out of the mountain just like a furnace, and the whole mountain shook.

19 The trumpet blew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.
20 The [Lord] came down to the top of Mount Sinai and told Moses to meet him there. 21 Then he said, “Moses, go and warn the people not to cross the boundary that you set at the foot of the mountain. They must not cross it to come and look at me, because if they do, many of them will die.

22 Only the priests may come near me, and they must obey strict rules before I let them. If they don't, they will be punished.”

23 Moses replied, “The people cannot come up the mountain. You warned us to stay away because it is holy.”

24 Then the [Lord] told Moses, “Go down and bring Aaron back here with you. But the priests and people must not try to push their way through, or I will rush at them like a flood!”
25 After Moses had gone back down, he told the people what the [Lord] had said.