Exodus 19
1 In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, 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 had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there 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 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons 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 for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and 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 if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole 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 And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
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 went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD 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 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.
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 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.
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 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
And the Lord said to Moses, Go to the people and make them holy today and tomorrow, and let their clothing be washed.
11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
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 And you are to set up a boundary for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall 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 hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach 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 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and made the people holy; and their clothing was washed.
15 “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.”
And he said to the people, Be ready by the third day: do not come near a woman.
16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that 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 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with 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 enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked 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 And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.
And when the sound of the horn became louder and louder, Moses' words were answered by the voice of God.
20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. 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 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them 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 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against 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 But Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, for You solemnly warned us, ‘Put a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
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 And the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against 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.
