THE BOOK OF EXODUS

 

Exodus Chapter 19

1 ¶ In the third month, on the same day of the month that the children of Israel had left the land of Egypt, they came to the desert of Sinai.

2 For after they left Rephidim, they entered the desert of Sinai, and pitched their tents there; and there they camped before the mountain.

3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself.

5 Now therefore, if you will carefully listen to me, and keep my covenant, then you will be a peculiar treasure to me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And you will be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words that you are to say to the children of Israel.

7 So Moses called for the elders of the people, and conveyed to them all these words that the LORD had commanded him.

8 And all the people answered together, and said, We will do everything that the LORD has said. And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.

9 ¶ Then the LORD said to Moses, Lo, I come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear me speak with you, and will always believe you. And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.

10 And the LORD said to Moses, Go to the people, and purify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready by the third day: for on the third day the LORD will come down upon mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

12 And you shall set boundaries for the people all around the mountain, and say, Be careful that you go not up onto the mountain, or touch its edge: whoever touches the mountain will be surely put to death:

13 No hand should touch him, but he should be stoned, or shot; whether man or animal, he must not live: when the trumpet gives a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.

14 And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said to the people, Be ready on the third day: do not go near a woman.

16 ¶ And it came to pass on the morning of the third day, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast; so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 And mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

19 And when the long trumpet blast grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.

20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mountain; and Moses went up.

21 And the LORD said to Moses, Go down, warn the people, not to break through trying to see the LORD, or many of them will die.

22 Moreover let the priests who come near the LORD, also purify themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.

23 And Moses said to the LORD, The people cannot come up on mount Sinai: for you warned us, saying, Place a boundary around the mountain, and set it apart.

24 Then the LORD said to him, Away, get down, you shall come back up with Aaron: but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them.

25 So Moses went down to the people, and spoke to them.