Chapter 19
1
In the third month after the sons of Israel went out from the land of Egypt, on this day they came to the wilderness of Sinai.
2
They journeyed from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the wilderness. Israel encamped there opposite the mountain.
3
Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and declare to the sons of Israel."
4
You have seen what I did to Egypt, and I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
5
Now, if you carefully obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my treasured possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine.
6
You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you shall speak to the sons of Israel.
7
Moses came and called the elders of the people and set all these words before them that the LORD had commanded him.
8
All the people answered together, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses brought the words of the people back to the LORD.
9
The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you, and so that they may believe you forever." And Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
10
The LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothing."
11
And they will be prepared for the third day, because on the third day the LORD will descend in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.
12
And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, "Guard yourselves from going up on the mountain or touching its edge; everyone touching the mountain shall be put to death!"
13
No hand shall touch him, for he shall be stoned with stones or shot with arrows; whether beast or man, he shall not live. When the ram's horn sounds, they shall go up on the mountain.
14
And Moses came down from the mountain to the people, and he sanctified the people, and they washed their clothing.
15
He said to the people, "Be prepared for three days; do not approach the woman."
16
And it was on the third day, at the appearing of the morning, and there were voices and lightnings and a heavy cloud on the mountain and a voice of a ram's horn very strong, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
17
Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain.
18
And Mount Sinai—all of it smoked because the LORD had descended upon it in fire. And its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain trembled greatly.
19
And the sound of the ram's horn was growing very loud. Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.
20
The LORD descended on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21
The LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to see, and many fall from him."
22
The priests who approach the LORD must also consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.
23
Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, 'Set a boundary around the mountain and sanctify it.'"
24
And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and then go up, you and Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to go up to the LORD, lest he break out against them."
25
And Moses went down to the people and said to them.