Mount Sinai
1-2 Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites entered the Wilderness of Sinai. They followed the route from Rephidim, arrived at the Wilderness of Sinai, and set up camp. Israel camped there facing the mountain.
3-6 As Moses went up to meet God,Godcalled down to him from the mountain: “Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.’
“This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel.”
7 Moses came back and called the elders of Israel together and set before them all these words whichGodhad commanded him.
8 The people were unanimous in their response: “EverythingGodsays, we will do.” Moses took the people’s answer back toGod.
9 Godsaid to Moses, “Get ready. I’m about to come to you in a thick cloud so that the people can listen in and trust you completely when I speak with you.” Again Moses reported the people’s answer toGod.
10-13 Godsaid to Moses, “Go to the people. For the next two days get these people ready to meet the HolyGod. Have them scrub their clothes so that on the third day they’ll be fully prepared, because on the third dayGodwill come down on Mount Sinai and make his presence known to all the people. Post boundaries for the people all around, telling them, ‘Warning! Don’t climb the mountain. Don’t even touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain dies—a certain death. And no one is to touch that person, he’s to be stoned. That’s right—stoned. Or shot with arrows, shot to death. Animal or man, whichever—put to death.’
“A long blast from the horn will signal that it’s safe to climb the mountain.”
14-15 Moses went down the mountain to the people and prepared them for the holy meeting. They gave their clothes a good scrubbing. Then he addressed the people: “Be ready in three days. Don’t sleep with a woman.”
16 On the third day at daybreak, there were loud claps of thunder, flashes of lightning, a thick cloud covering the mountain, and an ear-piercing trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp shuddered in fear.
17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God. They stood at attention at the base of the mountain.
18-20 Mount Sinai was all smoke becauseGodhad come down on it as fire. Smoke poured from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain shuddered in huge spasms. The trumpet blasts grew louder and louder. Moses spoke and God answered in thunder.Goddescended to the peak of Mount Sinai.Godcalled Moses up to the peak and Moses climbed up.
21-22 Godsaid to Moses, “Go down. Warn the people not to break through the barricades to get a look atGodlest many of them die. And the priests also, warn them to prepare themselves for the holy meeting, lestGodbreak out against them.”
23 Moses said toGod, “But the people can’t climb Mount Sinai. You’ve already warned us well telling us: ‘Post boundaries around the mountain. Respect the holy mountain.’”
24 Godtold him, “Go down and then bring Aaron back up with you. But make sure that the priests and the people don’t break through and come up toGod, lest he break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people. He said to them:
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