Exodus 19

1 In the third month, when the children of Yisrael were gone forth out of the land of Egypt (Mitsrayim), the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Yisrael camped before the mount.

3 And Moses (Mosheh) went up unto God (Elohim), and יהוה called unto him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus shalt you say to the house of Jacob (Yaaqov), and tell the children of Yisrael:

4 ‘You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians (Mitsrayim), and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself.

5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

6 And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests (kohanim), and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shalt speak unto the children of Yisrael.”

7 And Moses (Mosheh) came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which יהוה commanded him.

8 And all the people answered together, and said, “All that יהוה hath spoken we will do.” And Moses (Mosheh) returned the words of the people unto יהוה.

9 And יהוה said unto Moses (Mosheh), “Lo, I come unto you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” And Moses (Mosheh) told the words of the people unto יהוה.

10 And יהוה said unto Moses (Mosheh), “Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes,

11 And be ready for the third day; for the third day יהוה will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai.

12 And you shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves, that you go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it; whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death.

13 There shall not a hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live.’ When the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mountain.”

14 And Moses (Mosheh) went down from the mountain unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, “Be ready for the third day; come not near your wives.”

16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses (Mosheh) brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God (Elohim); and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18 And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because יהוה descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses (Mosheh) spake, and God (Elohim) answered him by a voice.

20 And יהוה came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount; and יהוה called Moses (Mosheh) up to the top of the mountain; and Moses (Mosheh) went up.

21 And יהוה said unto Moses (Mosheh), “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through unto יהוה to gaze, and many of them perish.

22 And let the priests (kohanim) also, which come near to יהוה, sanctify themselves, lest יהוה break forth upon them.”

23 And Moses (Mosheh) said unto יהוה, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain, and sanctify it.’”

24 And יהוה said unto him, “Away, get you down, and you shalt come up, you, and Aaron (Aharon) with you; but let not the priests (kohanim) and the people break through to come up unto יהוה, lest He break forth upon them.”

25 So Moses (Mosheh) went down unto the people, and spake unto them.