Exodus 19

In the third month from the people of Israel exiting the land of Egypt, on the same day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai.

And they departed from Rephidim, and they entered the wilderness of Sinai, and they camped in the wilderness. And Israel camped there in front of the mountain. \*

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

‘You yourselves saw what I did to the Egyptians, how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself.

And now, if you listen intently to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my possession from among all peoples. For all the earth is mine,

and you yourselves will be my kingdom of priests and holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” \*

And Moses came and summoned the elders of the people. And he set before their faces all these words that God had commanded him.

And all the people responded together, and they said, “We will do everything that God has said.” And Moses brought the words of the people back to God. \*

And God said to Moses, “Look, I will come to you in a thick cloud so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also trust in you forever.” And Moses told the words of the people to God. \*

And God said to Moses, “Go to the people and make them holy today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing,

and they will be prepared for the third day; for on the third day God will come down to Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people. \*

And you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Watch yourselves climbing on the mountain or touching on its edge. Every mountain toucher shall certainly be killed.

No hand shall touch that one. Instead, he shall be stoned or he shall be shot. Whether animal or human, he shall not live.’ At the prolonged sound of the horn, they shall ascend on the mountain.” \*

And Moses went down from the mountain to the people. And he made the people holy, and they washed their clothing.

And he said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day; you shall not come near to a woman.” \*

And it happened on the third day, when it was the morning, there were thunder and lightning and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and an extremely strong horn sound. And all the people who were in the camp were trembling.

And Moses brought the people out from the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the bottom of the mountain. \*

And Mount Sinai smoked—all of it—because God descended on it in fire. And its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled mightily. \*

And it happened, the sound of the horn went very strong. Moses was speaking, and God was answering him in a voice. \*

And God descended on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and God called Moses to the top of the mountain. And Moses ascended.

And God said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people lest they break through to God to see and many from them fall.

And furthermore, the priests, the ones who come near to God, they shall make themselves holy lest God bursts out against them.” \*

And Moses said to God, “The people are not able to come up on Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying: ‘Set boundaries on the mountain and set it apart.’” \*

And God said to him, “Go, climb down. And you shall come back up, you and Aaron with you; and the priests and the people shall not break through to come up to God, lest he burst out against them.”

And Moses went down to the people, and he spoke to them. \*