Israel at Mount Sinai
1 In the third month after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness, and there Israel encamped in front of the mountain.
3 Moses went up to the mountain to meet with God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites:
4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey me and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own special treasure from among all peoples, for all the earth is mine, 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the Israelites.”
7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people and set before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever.” And Moses returned the words of the people back to the Lord.
10 The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.
12 You shall set boundaries for the people all around the mountain, saying, ‘Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch it, or he shall surely be stoned or shot, whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”
14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with a woman.”
16 On the third day, when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet, and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses brought the people forth from the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
The Lord Visits Sinai
18 And Mount Sinai was completely engulfed in smoke because the Lord descended on it in fire, and this smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and the Lord answered him in a voice. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21 The Lord said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to gaze upon the Lord, and many of them perish.
22 Let the priests also, who come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.”
23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set boundaries around the mountain and sanctify it.’ ”
24 The Lord said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.