12 You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘[a]Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; (A)whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but (B)he shall surely be stoned or [b]shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to (C)the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

16 (D)So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were [c]thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the [d]foot of the mountain.

The Lord Visits Sinai

18 (E)Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it (F)in fire; and its smoke ascended like (G)the smoke of a furnace, and (H)the whole mountain [e]quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and (I)God answered him with [f]thunder. 20 (J)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. 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, [g]warn the people, so that (K)they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them [h]perish. 22 Also let the (L)priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You [i]warned us, saying, ‘(M)Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 Then the Lord said to him, “[j]Go down and come up again, (N)you and Aaron with you; but do not let the (O)priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 19:12 Lit Take heed to yourselves
  2. Exodus 19:13 I.e. with arrows
  3. Exodus 19:16 Lit sounds
  4. Exodus 19:17 Lit lower part
  5. Exodus 19:18 Or trembled
  6. Exodus 19:19 Or a voice; lit a sound
  7. Exodus 19:21 Lit testify to
  8. Exodus 19:21 Lit fall
  9. Exodus 19:23 Lit testified to
  10. Exodus 19:24 Lit Go, descend