Exodus 19

1In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on this very day they came to the wilderness of Sinai.

2They set out from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, and they camped in the wilderness. There Israel camped before the mountain.

3And Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel:”

4You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

5And now, if you will indeed listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my treasured possession out of all the peoples, for all the earth is mine.

6And 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.

7So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him.

8And all the people answered together and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Then Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh.

9And Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming 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 Yahweh the words of the people.

10Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments.”

11and let them be ready for the third day, because on the third day Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.

12And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.’

13No hand shall touch him, for he must surely be stoned or surely shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain.

14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and he consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.

15And he said to the people, “Be ready for three days; do not go near a woman.”

16And it happened on the third day, when morning came, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a trumpet, very loud; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

18Mount Sinai was all in smoke because Yahweh had descended on it in fire, and its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.

19And the sound of the trumpet kept growing stronger and stronger; Moses would speak, and God would answer him with a voice.

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

21And Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down; warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to look, and many of them fall.”

22And even the priests who come near to Yahweh must consecrate themselves, lest Yahweh break out against them.

23And Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’”

24And Yahweh said to him, “Go down, and come up—you and Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out against them.”

25So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.