Moses on Sinai
1 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 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 Moses went up to God, and the Lordcalled to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, andhowI bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be Myown possession among all the 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 that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lordhad commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lordhas spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
9 The Lordsaid 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 The Lordalso said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lordwill come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 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 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned orshot 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 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.
15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 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 whowerein the camp trembled.
17 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 Now Mount Sinaiwasall in smoke because the Lorddescended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.
20 The Lordcame down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lordcalled Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 Then the Lordspoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lordto gaze, and many of them perish.
22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lordconsecrate themselves, or else the Lordwill break out against them.”
23 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 Then the Lordsaid to him, “Go down and come upagain,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 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/80/32k/EXO/19-2a860e20fb1c5b2c08528bf7f00998c9.mp3?version_id=100—