In the third month after Bani-Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When 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. 3Musa went up to God, and YAHWEH called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Yaqub, and tell Bani-Israel: 4‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5Now 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;6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.’1 These are the words which you shall speak to Bani-Israel.”
7Musa came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which YAHWEH commanded him. 8All the people answered together, and said, “All that YAHWEH has spoken we will do.”
Musa reported the words of the people to YAHWEH. 9YAHWEH said to Musa, “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.” Musa told the words of the people to YAHWEH. 10YAHWEH said to Musa, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11and be ready against the third day; for on the third day YAHWEH will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13No 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.”
14Musa went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with a woman.”
16It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17Musa led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because YAHWEH descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Musa spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20YAHWEH came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. YAHWEH called Musa to the top of the mountain, and Musa went up.
21YAHWEH said to Musa, “Go down, charge the people, lest they break through to YAHWEH to gaze, and many of them perish. 22Let the priests also, who come near to YAHWEH, sanctify themselves, lest YAHWEH break forth on them.”
23Musa said to YAHWEH, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you charged us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.'”
24YAHWEH said to him, “Go down and you shall bring Harun up with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to YAHWEH, lest he break forth on them.”
25So Musa went down to the people, and told them.
- 19:6 Cited in the Injil, 1 Peter 2:9, which says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ↩︎