Exodus 19

VIN(i) 1 On the third new moon after the Israelites went out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came to the desert of Sinai. 2 They set out from Rephidim, and they came to the desert of Sinai, and they camped in the desert, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain: "This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and declare to the sons of Israel, 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I bore you on eagles' wings and I brought you to me. 5 ‘If you will obey me and are faithful to the terms of my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my own special possession, for all the earth is mine. 6 but you, you will belong to me as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites." 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which LORD commanded him. 8 All the people answered together: "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. 9 the LORD said to Moses: "I will come to you in a thick cloud. The people will hear me speaking with you and will believe you from now on." Moses gave the LORD the people's answer. 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 for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set boundaries for the people all around: 'Be very careful that you don't go up on the mountain or touch the side of it. Anyone who touches the mountain will surely be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain." 14 When Moses went down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 And he said to the people, Be ready for the third day; do not come near [your] wives. 16 When morning came on the third day, there was thunder and lightning with a heavy cloud over the mountain and the very loud sound of a ram's horn. All the people in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace. The whole mountain quaked violently! 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 The LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people so they don't break through to look at the LORD, and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves. Otherwise, the LORD will attack them." 23 Moses said to the LORD: "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai for you warned us. You said: 'Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.'" 24 The LORD said to him, "Go down, and come back up with Aaron, but the priests and the people must not break through to go up to the LORD. Otherwise, he will attack them. 25 So Moses went down to the people, and told them.