Exodus 19

Israel arrives at Sinai

1In the third month after the Israelites had left Egypt, on that very day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai. 2They set out from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped there, Israel camping in front of the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain: “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob, and declare to the Israelites: 4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5Now if you will truly listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession out of all the peoples — for the whole earth is mine — 6and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. 7So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him. 8All the people answered together, “Everything Yahweh has spoken, we will do.” And Moses brought back the people’s words to Yahweh. 9Yahweh said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will trust you always.” Then Moses told Yahweh what the people had said. 10And Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothes. 11Have them ready for the third day, because on the third day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12Set limits for the people all around, and tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or touch the edge of it. Anyone who touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13No hand is to touch him; he shall surely be stoned or shot. Whether animal or human, he shall not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up the mountain.” 14So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15He said to the people, “Be ready in three days. Do not go near a woman.” 16On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because Yahweh had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19The sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20Yahweh 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. 21Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see Yahweh, or many of them will die. 22Even the priests who approach Yahweh must consecrate themselves, or Yahweh will break out against them.” 23Moses said to Yahweh, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’” 24Yahweh replied, “Go down, and come back up with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to Yahweh, or he will break out against them.” 25So Moses went down to the people and told them.