Exodus 19

Moses on Sinai

11In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, 2on that very day they came into the wilderness of 3Sinai. 2When they set out from 4Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of 5the mountain. 3And Moses went up to God, and 6the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4‘7You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on 8eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5Now then, 9if you will indeed obey My voice and 10keep My covenant, then you shall be 11My 12own possession among all the peoples, for 13all the earth is Mine; 6and you shall be to Me 14a kingdom of priests and 15a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

716So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. 8Then 17all 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. 9Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in 18a thick cloud, so that the 19people may hear when I speak with you and may also trust in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

10The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and 20consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them 21wash their garments; 11and have them ready for the third day, for on 22the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘23Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; 24whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death. 13No hand shall touch him, but 25he shall certainly be stoned or 26shot through; whether animal or person, the violator shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to 27the mountain.” 14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15He also said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

1628So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were 29thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the 30foot of the mountain.

The Lord Visits Sinai

1831Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it 32in fire; and its smoke ascended like 33the smoke of a furnace, and 34the entire mountain 35quaked violently. 19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and 36God answered him with 37thunder. 20Then 38the 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. 21Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Go down, 39warn the people, so that 40they do not break through to the Lord to stare, and many of them 41perish. 22Also have the 42priests who approach the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.” 23And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You 43warned us, saying, ‘44Set boundaries around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24Then the Lord said to him, “45Go down and come up again, 46you and Aaron with you; but do not let the 47priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break out against them.” 25So Moses went down to the people and told them.