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.

In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same 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.

When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before 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:

Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children 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.

‘You 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;

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all 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.”

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children 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.

Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh 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.

All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh.

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.

Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.

10 T he Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;

Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify 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.

and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.

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.

You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely 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.”

No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, 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.

Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 H e said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with 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.

On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and 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

Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

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.

All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

19 W hen the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.

When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

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.

Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh 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.

Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh 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.”

Let the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break out on 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.’”

Moses said to Yahweh, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify 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.”

Yahweh said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out against them.”

25 S o Moses went down to the people and told them.

So Moses went down to the people, and told them.