Exodus 19

Israel Arrives at Mount Sinai

1 Three months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites pulled up to the wilderness of Sinai.

2 They left Rephidim, made it to Sinai, and set up camp there. The whole squad camped at the base of the mountain.

3 Moses climbed up to meet God, and the Lord called out to him from the mountain, ‘Say this to the Israelites, My chosen people.’

4 ‘You all saw what I did to Egypt, how I carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself.’

5 ‘Now, if you all obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My special people, set apart from all the nations. The whole earth belongs to Me, but I am choosing you all.’

6 ‘You will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation. Tell the people this.’

The People Agree to Obey God

7 Moses went back and told the elders everything the Lord said.

8 The people said, ‘We are down! We will do everything the Lord says.’ So Moses took their answer back to the Lord.

God Prepares to Meet the People

9 The Lord said, ‘I am about to come down in a thick cloud so the people can hear Me speak with you. That way, they will always trust you.’ Then Moses went back and told the Lord what the people said.

10 The Lord said, ‘Tell the people to clean themselves up today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes.’

11 ‘On the third day, I am showing up on Mount Sinai, and everyone will see it.’

12 ‘Put boundaries around the mountain and warn them: Do not touch the mountain or come too close. If anyone does, they will be put to death.’

13 ‘No one is to touch them; they must be stoned or shot with arrows, whether human or animal. Only when the ram’s horn blows can they come up.’

14 Moses went back, got the people ready, and had them wash their clothes.

15 He told them, ‘Get ready in three days. And do not be hooking up with your spouse in the meantime.’

God Descends on Mount Sinai

16 On the third day, early in the morning, thunder and lightning started popping off. A thick cloud covered the mountain, and a loud trumpet blast shook the camp.

17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God. They stood at the base of the mountain.

18 Mount Sinai was covered in smoke because the Lord came down in fire. The whole mountain was shaking like crazy.

19 The trumpet kept getting louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered with thunder.

20 The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai and told Moses to come up.

21 The Lord said, ‘Go back down and warn the people not to force their way through to see Me, or they will die.’

22 ‘Even the priests who come near Me must purify themselves, or they will be wiped out.’

Moses Goes Back Down

23 Moses said, ‘Lord, the people already know not to come up here. You told us to put up boundaries.’

24 The Lord said, ‘Go down and bring Aaron back with you. But do not let the priests or the people come up, or they will be destroyed.’

25 So Moses went down to tell the people what God said.