¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there was thunder^(A) and lightning, with a thick cloud^(B) over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.^(C) Everyone in the camp trembled.^(D)

²¹ and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see^(A) the Lord and many of them perish.^{(B) 22} Even the priests, who approach^(C) the Lord, must consecrate^(D) themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”^(E)

²³ Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai,^(F) because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits^(G) around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”

²⁴ The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron^(H) up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”^(I)

¹⁸ When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet^(A) and saw the mountain in smoke,^(B) they trembled with fear.^(C) They stayed at a distance

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(A) 19} to a trumpet blast^(B) or to such a voice speaking words^(C) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^{(D) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[a](E) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[b](F)