19:1 In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt–on the very day–they came to the Desert of Sinai.
19:2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:
19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
19:5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
19:6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
19:7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak.
19:8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
19:9 The LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
19:10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes
19:11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
19:12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
19:13 He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain.”
19:14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
19:15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
19:16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.
19:17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
19:18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently,
19:19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
19:20 The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up
19:21 and the LORD said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish.
19:22 Even the priests, who approach the LORD, must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.”
19:23 Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
19:24 The LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them.”
19:25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
19:2 And when they had journeyed from Rephidim and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped in front of the mountain.
19:3 And Moses went up to God, and Jehovah called to him out of the mountain, saying, Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel:
19:4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself.
19:5 Now therefore if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My personal treasure from among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine.
19:6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.
19:7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people and set before them all these words which Jehovah had commanded him.
19:8 And all the people answered together and said, All that Jehovah has spoken we will do. And Moses brought back the words of the people to Jehovah.
19:9 And Jehovah said to Moses, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever. Then Moses told the words of the people to Jehovah,
19:10 And Jehovah said to Moses, Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow; and have them wash their garments,
19:11 And be ready for the third day; for on the third day Jehovah will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
19:12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, Be careful 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.
19:13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may come up on the mountain.
19:14 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their garments.
19:15 And he said to the people, Be ready for the third day. Do not go near a woman.
19:16 And on the third day, when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
19:17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the base of the mountain.
19:18 Now the whole of Mount Sinai smoked because Jehovah descended upon it in fire, and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace; and the whole mountain shook greatly.
19:19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
19:20 And Jehovah came down upon Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain, and Jehovah called Moses to the top of the mountain; and Moses went up.
19:21 Then Jehovah said to Moses, Go down; charge the people not to break through to Jehovah to look, lest many of them perish.
19:22 And let the priests who come near to Jehovah also sanctify themselves, so that Jehovah does not break forth upon them.
19:23 And Moses said to Jehovah, The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You charged us, saying, Set limits around the mountain, and sanctify it.
19:24 And Jehovah said to him, Go, get down; then you shall come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people force a way through to come up to Jehovah, so that He does not break forth upon them.
19:25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.