Exodus 19

The AIT Bible

Israel at Mount Sinai

1In the third month after the sons of Israel went out from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai.

2They set out from Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness; and Israel encamped there in front of the mountain.

3And Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called out to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell to the sons of Israel:

4‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

5And now, if you will surely obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples—for all the earth is mine—

6and you yourselves 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 for the elders of the people and set before them all these words that 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.

9And Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in the thick of the cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you, and so that they may also believe in you forever.” And Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.

10And Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them 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 before the eyes of all the people upon Mount Sinai.

12And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care for yourselves not to go up onto the mountain or to touch its edge; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.

13No hand shall touch it, for he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up onto the mountain.”

14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and he consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.

15And he said to the people, “Be ready for three days; do not go near a woman.”

16And it happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings and a heavy cloud upon the mountain and a very strong blast of a horn, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.

18And Mount Sinai was wholly in smoke, because Yahweh had come down upon it in fire; and its smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.

19And the sound of the horn grew louder and louder; Moses would speak, and God would answer him with a voice.

20And Yahweh came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

21And Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Yahweh to see, and many of them fall.

22And also the priests who draw near to Yahweh must consecrate themselves, lest Yahweh break out against them.”

23And Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’”

24And Yahweh said to him, “Go, go down, and you shall come up, you and Aaron with you; but the priests and the people must not break through to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out against them.”

25So Moses went down to the people and said to them.

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