1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone forth out
of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of
Sinai. 2 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 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 have seen what I did
to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to
myself. 5 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 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 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them
all these words which Yahweh commanded him. 8 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 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 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and
sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 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 You shall set bounds to the
people round about, 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 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 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the
people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready
by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”
16 It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that 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 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they
stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai, the whole of it,
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 When the
sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered
him by a voice. 20 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 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, charge the people, lest they break
through to Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests
also, who come near to Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh break forth
on them.”
23 Moses said to Yahweh, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you
charged us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’”
24 Yahweh said to him, “Go down and 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 forth on them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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