Israel at Sinai

1In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on this day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2Then they set out from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.

3Now 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: 4‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5So now then, if you will indeed listen to My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession among 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 the elders of the people and set before them all these words which Yahweh had commanded him. 8And all the people answered together and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh. 9Yahweh said 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 Yahweh.

10Yahweh also said to Moses, “Go to the people and set them apart as holy today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; 11and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12And 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. 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or surely [†]shot 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.” 14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart as holy, and they washed their garments. 15And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

16So it happened 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 who were in the camp trembled. 17And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the [†]foot of the mountain.

Yahweh Descends on Mount Sinai

18Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because Yahweh descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19And the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder; then Moses spoke and God answered him with [†]thunder. 20And Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go down, [†]warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to see, and many of them [†]perish. 22Also let the priests who come near to Yahweh set themselves apart as holy, lest Yahweh break out against them.” 23And Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You [†]warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain, and set it apart as holy.’” 24Then Yahweh said to him, “[†]Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh, lest He break out against them.” 25So Moses went down to the people and told them.