1 On the day that three months had passed since the Israelites had left Egypt, they arrived in the Sinai desert.
Adverts
2 After leaving Rephidim, they entered the wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there, in front of the mountain.
3 Soon Moses went up the mountain to meet God. And the Lord called him from the mountain, saying, “Say this to the descendants of Jacob and declare to the Israelites:
4 'You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried them on eagles' wings and brought them to Me.
5 Now, if you obey me faithfully and keep my covenant, you will be my personal treasure from among all the nations. Though all the earth is mine,
Adverts
6 you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you will say to the Israelites.”
7 Moses returned, summoned the authorities of the people and explained to them everything that the Lord had told him to say.
8 The whole people responded unanimously: “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” And Moses took the people's response to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses: “I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people, when they hear me speak to them, will always trust in you.” Then Moses reported to the Lord what the people had said to him.
10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
11 and be ready on the third day, for on that day the Lord will descend on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12 Set boundaries around the mountain and say to the people: Be careful not to climb the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain will certainly be killed;
13 he will be stoned or shot to death. No one should touch it with their hand. Whether man or animal, he will not live. Only when the bugle sounds a long blast will they be able to climb the mountain.”
14 When Moses came down from the mountain, he consecrated the people; and they washed their clothes.
15 Then he said to the people: “Prepare yourselves for the third day, and until then do not come near the woman.”
16 At dawn on the third day there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud covered the mountain, and a trumpet sounded loudly. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear.
17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stayed at the foot of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was covered in smoke, for the Lord had descended upon it in flames of fire. Smoke rose from it as if from a furnace; the whole mountain shook violently,
19 and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke, and the voice of God answered him.
20 The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. Moses went up
21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people not to go beyond the limits to see the Lord, and many of them perish.
22 Even the priests who approach the Lord must consecrate themselves; otherwise the Lord will strike them down.”
23 Moses said to the Lord: “The people cannot go up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us: 'Set a boundary around the mountain and declare it holy.'”
24 The Lord replied: “Go down and then go up again, accompanied by Aaron. As for the priests and the people, they must not exceed the limit to go up to the Lord; otherwise, the Lord will strike them dead.”
25 Then Moses went down and warned the people.
