Israel at Mount Sinai
1. In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai.
2. After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai and camped in the desert, where they pitched camp in front of the mountain.
3. Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:
4. ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.
5. Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
6. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7. So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.
8. And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.
9. And the LORD said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear Me speaking with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed the words of the people to the LORD.
10. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
11. and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12. Put boundaries for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not go up on the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
13. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they go up on the mountain.”
14. After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
15. “Be prepared by the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not go near a woman.”
The LORD Visits Sinai
16. On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. All the people in the camp trembled.
17. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18. Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
19. As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
20. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit. So Moses went up,
21. and the LORD told him, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the LORD, lest many of them perish.
22. Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out in anger against them.”
23. Moses said to the LORD, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, for You Yourself warned us, ‘Put boundaries around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
24. But the LORD replied, “Go down and bring Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break out against them.”
25. So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.