1 I n the third month after the people of Israel left Egypt, they came to the Sinai Desert on the same day.

In 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 T hey had left Rephidim and had come to the Sinai Desert. There Israel set up their tents in front of the mountain.

When 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 A nd Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Say this to the house of Jacob and tell the people of Israel:

Moses 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 have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

‘ 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 obey My voice and keep My agreement, you will belong to Me from among all nations. For all the earth is Mine.

Now 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 Y ou will be to Me a nation of religious leaders, a holy nation.’ These are the words you will speak to the people of Israel.”

and 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 leaders of the people. He told them all these words which the Lord had told him.

So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him.

8 A nd all the people answered together and said, “We will do all that the Lord has said!” Then Moses went to tell the Lord what the people had said.

All 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, “See, I will come to you in a thick cloud. So the people may hear when I speak with you, and may believe you forever.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

The 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 said to Moses, “Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart to be holy. Have them wash their clothes.

The 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 people will see the Lord come down on Mount Sinai.

and 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 L et the people know the places all around that they must not pass. Tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up on the mountain or touch any place around it. Whoever touches the mountain will be put to death.

You 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 will touch him. But he will be killed with stones or arrows. If he be animal or man, he will not live.’ When a long sound from a horn is heard, they may come up to the mountain.”

No 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. He set the people apart to be holy, and they washed their clothes.

So 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.”

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

16 O n the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A cloud covered the mountain, and a very loud horn sounded. All the people among the tents shook with fear.

So 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 T hen Moses brought the people from among the tents to meet God. They stood at the base of the mountain.

And 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 M ount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord came down upon it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a stove. And the whole mountain shook.

Now 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 T he sound of the horn became 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 with thunder.

20 T hen the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.

The 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 said to Moses, “Go down and tell the people not to break through to look at the Lord. For then many of them would be destroyed.

Then 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 H ave the religious leaders who come near to the Lord set themselves apart to be holy. Or the Lord will go against them.”

Also 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 told us, ‘Set places around the mountain that must not be passed, and set it apart as holy.’”

Moses 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 then come up with Aaron. But do not let the religious leaders and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will go against them.”

Then 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.

So Moses went down to the people and told them.