Exodus 19:1-13 ▼

1 In the third month of the going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in this day they have come into the wilderness of Sinai,

2 and they journey from Rephidim, and enter the wilderness of Sinai, and encamp in the wilderness; and Israel encamps there before the mountain.

3 And Moses has gone up to God, and YHWH calls to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you say to the house of Jacob, and declare to the sons of Israel:

4 You have seen that which I have done to the Egyptians, and [how] I carry you on eagles’ wings and bring you to Myself.

5 And now, if you really listen to My voice, then you have kept My covenant, and have been a special treasure to Me more than all the peoples, for all the earth [is] Mine;

6 and you are to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation: these [are] the words which you speak to the sons of Israel.”

7 And Moses comes, and calls for [the] elderly of the people, and sets before them all these words which YHWH has commanded him;

8 and all the people answer together and say, “All that YHWH has spoken we do”; and Moses returns the words of the people to YHWH.

9 And YHWH says to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in the thickness of the cloud, so that the people hear in My speaking with you, and also believe in you for all time”; and Moses declares the words of the people to YHWH.

10 And YHWH says to Moses, “Go to the people and you have sanctified them today and tomorrow, and they have washed their garments,

11 and have been prepared for the third day; for on the third day YHWH comes down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.

12 And you have made a border [for] the people all around, saying, Take heed to yourselves, going up into the mountain or coming against its extremity; whoever is coming against the mountain is certainly put to death;

13 a hand does not come against him, for he is certainly stoned or shot through, whether beast or man—it does not live; in the prolonging of the ram’s horn they go up into the mountain.”