19:1 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, ①on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
▷ ①Lit on this day
19:2 When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.
19:3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
19:5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My ①own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
▷ ①Or special treasure
19:6 and 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.”
19:7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him.
19:8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.
19:9 Then the LORD 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 trust in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
19:10 The LORD also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments;
19:11 and have them 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.
19:12 But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘ ①Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death.
▷ ①Lit Take heed to yourselves
19:13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall certainly be stoned or ①shot through; whether animal or person, the violator shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”
▷ ①I.e., with arrows
19:14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.
19:15 He also said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
19:16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were ①thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
▷ ①Lit sounds
19:17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the ①foot of the mountain.
▷ ①Lit lower part
19:18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the entire mountain ①quaked violently.
▷ ①Or trembled
19:19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with ①thunder.
▷ ①Or a voice; lit a sound
19:20 Then 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.
19:21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses: “Go down, ①warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to stare, and many of them ②perish.
▷ ①Lit testify to ②Lit fall
19:22 Also have the priests who approach the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them.”
19:23 And Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You ①warned us, saying, ‘Set boundaries around the mountain and consecrate it.’ ”
▷ ①Lit testified to
19:24 Then the LORD said to him, “ ①Go 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 the LORD, or He will break out against them.”
▷ ①Lit Go, descend
19:25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.