Israel at Sinai
1In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness.
3Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called19:3 Ex 3:4; Ac 7:38 to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites:
4‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.19:4 Dt 29:2; Is 63:9
7After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him.
9The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud,19:9 Ex 24:15–16; Mt 17:5 so that the people will hear when I speak19:9 Dt 4:12,36; Jn 12:29 with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord,
10and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes19:10 Gn 35:2; Lv 11:44–45; Heb 10:22
11and 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.19:11 Ex 19:16; 34:5
12Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.19:12 Heb 12:20
13No hand may touch him;19:13 Or it instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.”
14Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
15He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.”
16On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered.
17Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
20The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.
23Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.”
24And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.”
25So Moses went down to the people and told them.
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