Chapter 19
1 In the third month after the children of Israel 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 before the mountain .
3 Moses went up to God , and Yahweh called to him out of the mountain , saying, " This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob , and tell the children of Israel :
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 my voice and keep my covenant , then you shall be my own possession 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 children of Israel ."
7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people , and set before them all these words which Yahweh commanded him .
8 All the people answered together , and said , " All that Yahweh has spoken we will do ." Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh .
9 Yahweh said to Moses , " Behold , I come to you in a thick cloud , that the people may hear when I speak with you , and may also believe you forever ." Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh .
10 Yahweh 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 Yahweh will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai .
12 You shall set bounds to the people all around , saying, ‘ Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain , or touch its border . Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely 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 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 . Don’t have sexual relations with a woman."
16 On the third day , when it was morning , there were thunders and lightnings , 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 led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain .
18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its 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 God answered him by a voice .
20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai , to the top of the mountain . Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain , and Moses went up .
21 Yahweh said to Moses , " Go down , warn the people , lest they break through to Yahweh to gaze , and many of them perish .
22 Let the priests also , who come near to Yahweh , sanctify themselves , lest Yahweh break out on them ."
23 Moses said to Yahweh , " The people can ’t come up to Mount Sinai , for you warned us , saying, ‘ Set bounds around the mountain , and sanctify it .’"
24 Yahweh said to him , " Go down ! You shall bring Aaron up with you , but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Yahweh , lest he break out against them ."
25 So Moses went down to the people , and told them .