Exodus 19

1The Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Sinai on the day the third month began after their departure from the land of Egypt. 2They had moved on from Rephidim and come into the wilderness of Sinai, and there in the wilderness they set up camp. Israel camped there, facing the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and the LORD called out to him from the mountain: “Say this to the house of Jacob, and declare it to the Israelites: 4‘You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you here to me. 5So now, if you truly listen to my voice and hold to my covenant, then of all the peoples you will be my own special treasure. The whole earth belongs to me, 6and you will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that belongs to me.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” 7Moses came back and called the elders of the people together. He laid out for them all these words, just as the LORD had commanded him. 8The people answered as one: “We will do everything the LORD has spoken.” And Moses carried the people’s words back to the LORD. 9The LORD said to Moses, “Look, I am coming to you in a dark, heavy cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will trust you from now on.” Moses reported the people’s words to the LORD. 10The LORD told Moses, “Go to the people, and today and tomorrow consecrate them. They must wash their clothes 11and be prepared for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will descend upon Mount Sinai with all the people watching. 12Mark out a boundary for the people all the way around, and warn them, ‘Watch yourselves! Do not climb the mountain or even touch the edge of it. Anyone who touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13No one is to lay a hand on such a person; that one must be stoned or shot with arrows. Whether it is an animal or a human being, it must not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long note, they may go up on the mountain.” 14Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He made them ready by consecrating them, and they washed their clothing. 15Moses told the people, “Be ready in three days’ time. Until then, no man is to have sexual relations with a woman.” 16When morning came on the third day, thunder crashed and lightning flashed. A heavy cloud lay on the mountain, and the ram’s horn blew very loudly. Everyone in the camp shook with fear. 17Moses brought the people out from the camp to meet God, and they took up their places below the mountain. 18All of Mount Sinai was smoking, since the LORD had come down upon it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke rising from a kiln, and the entire mountain shook with great force. 19The sound of the ram’s horn kept growing stronger and stronger. Moses would speak, and God would answer him with a voice like thunder. 20The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, onto the mountain’s summit, and called Moses up to the summit. So Moses went up. 21The LORD said to Moses, “Go down and give the people a strict warning, so that they do not push past the boundary toward the LORD to gaze, and many of them fall dead. 22And the priests who come near to the LORD must also consecrate themselves, so that the LORD does not burst out against them.” 23Moses answered the LORD, “There is no way the people can climb Mount Sinai. You gave us a warning: ‘Mark out a boundary around the mountain and treat it as holy.’” 24The LORD answered him, “Go back down, and then return, you and Aaron with you. As for the priests and the people, they are not to push through to come up to the LORD, or he will burst out against them.” 25Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.