1 I n 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.

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

2 W hen 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.

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

3 M oses 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:

And 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:

4 ‘ You 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 carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

5 N ow 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;

Now 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.

6 a nd 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.”

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

7 M oses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him.

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

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

And 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.

9 Y ahweh 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.

The 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.

10 Y ahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments,

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

11 a nd 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.

And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day people will see the Lord come down on Mount Sinai.

12 Y ou 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.

Let 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.

13 N o 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.”

No 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.”

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

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set the people apart to be holy, and they washed their clothes.

15 H e said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”

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

16 O n 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.

On 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.

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

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

18 A ll 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.

Mount 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.

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

The sound of the horn became louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.

20 Y ahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Then 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.

21 Y ahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish.

Then 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.

22 L et the priests also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break out on them.”

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

23 M oses 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.’”

Moses 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.’”

24 Y ahweh 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.”

Then 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.”

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

So Moses went down to the people and told them.