1 I n the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 W hen they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.
3 M oses 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 sons of Israel:
4 ‘ You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 N ow then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
6 a nd you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
7 S o Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him.
8 A ll 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.
9 T he Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
10 T he Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
11 a nd let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 Y ou shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘ Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
13 N o hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”
14 S o Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.
15 H e said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 S o it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
17 A nd Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. The Lord Visits Sinai
18 N ow Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
19 W hen the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.
20 T he 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.
21 T hen the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.
22 A lso let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.”
23 M oses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘ Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’”
24 T hen the Lord said to him, “ Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.”
25 S o Moses went down to the people and told them.