At Mount Sinai
1
In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt - on the very day -
they came to the Desert of Sinai.
2
After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai,
and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain
and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and
what you are to tell the people of Israel:
4
'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,
and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
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Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all ntions
you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
6
you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'
These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
7
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people
and set before them all the words of the LORD had commanded him to speak.
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The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD had said."
So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
9
The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in adense cloud,
so that the people will hear me speaking wioth you and will always put
their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
10
And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and
consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes
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and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD
will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
12
Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them,
'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it.
Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
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He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him.
Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when
the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."
14
After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people,
he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
15
Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day.
Abstain from sexual relations."
16
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning,
with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.
Everyone in the camp trembled.
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Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God,
and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
18
Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire.
The smoke billowed up from it like a smoke from a furnace,
the whole mountain trembled violently,
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and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder.
Then Moses spoke and and the voice of God answered him.
20
The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and
called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up
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and the LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people so they do not
force theur way through to see the LORD and many of the perish.
22
Even the priests, who approached the LORD, must consecrate themselves,
or the LORD will break out against them."
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Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up Mount Sinai,
because you yourself warned us, 'Put limits around the mointain and
set it apart as holy.' "
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The LORD replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you.
But the priests and the people must not force theur way through
to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them."
25
So Moses went down to the people and told them.
