Exodus 19
Chapter 19
The LORD Reveals Himself at Sinai
1 Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt,t they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.
2 After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.
3 Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel:4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.
6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”
7 So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the LORD had commanded him.
8 And all the people responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the LORD.
9 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you.”
Moses told the LORD what the people had said.10 Then the LORD told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.11 Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.12 Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.
13 No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.’ However, when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain.t”
14 So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes.
15 He told them, “Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse.”
16 On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled.17 Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.19 As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.
20 The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.
21 Then the LORD told Moses, “Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the LORD, or they will die.
22 Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves so that the LORD does not break out and destroy them.”
23 “But LORD,” Moses protested, “the people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. You already warned us. You told me, ‘Mark off a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.’”
24 But the LORD said, “Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the LORD, or he will break out and destroy them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said.
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
16 t t On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain, a loud trumpet blast was heard, and everyone in camp trembled with fear.
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.
