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The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Exodus 19
1 In the third month after the children of
Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on
that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
2 When they had departed from
Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness
of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness;
and there Israel encamped before the
mountain.
3 Moses went up to God, and Yahweh
called to him out of the mountain, saying,
“This is what you shall tell 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 indeed obey
my voice and keep my covenant, then you
shall be my own possession from among
all peoples; for all the earth is mine;
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation.’ These are the
words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
7 Moses came and called for the elders of
the people, and set before them all these
words which Yahweh commanded him.
8 All the people answered together, and
said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will
do.”
Moses reported the words of the people
to Yahweh.
9 Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, I come
to you in a thick cloud, that the people may
hear when I speak with you, and may also
believe you forever.” Moses told the words
of the people to Yahweh.
10 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, and
sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments,
11 and be ready for the third day; for on
the third day Yahweh will come down in
the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai.
12 You shall set bounds to the people all
around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t
go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall
be surely put to death.
13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall
surely be stoned or shot through; whether
itis animal orman, he shallnotlive.’ Whenthe trumpet sounds long, they shall come
up to the mountain.”
14 Moses went down from the mountain
to the people, and sanctified the people;
and they washed their clothes.
15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the
third day. Don’t have sexual relations with
a woman.”
16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings,
and a thick cloud on the mountain, and
the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet;
and all the people who were in the camp
trembled.
17 Moses ledthepeople out ofthe campto
meet God; and they stood at the lower part
of the mountain.
18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because
Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its
smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked
greatly.
19 When the sound of the trumpet grew
louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God
answered him by a voice.
20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai,
to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called
Moses to the top of the mountain, and
Moses went up.
21 Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down,
warnthe people, lestthey break throughto
Yahweh to gaze, and many of them perish.
22 Let the priests also, who come near to
Yahweh, sanctify themselves, lest Yahweh
break out on them.”
23 Moses said to Yahweh, “The people
can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you
warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the
mountain, and sanctify it.’ ”
24 Yahweh said to him, “Go down! You
shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’tlet
the priests and the people break through
to come up to Yahweh, lest he break out
against them.”
25 SoMoses wentdownto thepeople, and
told them.
Word English Bible
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