1 In the third month after the sons of Israel {bnei-Yisrael: covenant community} went out from the land of Egypt, on that same day they entered the wilderness {midbar: Sinai region} of Sinai.
2 They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel {Yisrael: covenant community} camped there facing the mountain {har: place of encounter}.
3 Moses ascended {alah: deliberate ascent} to God {Elohim, Gracious Caller}, and the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Lawgiver} called to him from the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall say to the house of Jacob, and what you shall tell the sons {livnei: descendants} of Israel.”
4 You yourselves have seen what I {YHWH, Faithful Deliverer} did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings {kanfei nesharim: strong protection} and brought you to Me.
5 Therefore, if you truly heed My {YHWH, Sovereign Owner} voice {qol: authoritative summons} and uphold My covenant, you will become a treasured possession for Me from among all nations, for the whole earth belongs to Me.
6 You will be for Me {YHWH: Covenant King} a kingdom of priests {kohanim: covenant mediators} and a nation that is holy. These are the words you shall speak to the sons of Israel.
7 Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and placed before them all these words that the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Commander} had commanded {tsivah: authoritative charge} him.
8 All the people answered as one and said, “Everything that the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Speaker} has spoken, we will do.” And Moses brought the people’s words {divrei: spoken declarations} back to the LORD.
9 And the LORD {YHWH, Majestic Revealer} said to Moses, “Behold, I {anokhi: Personal Presence} am coming to You in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with You and also believe You forever.” Then Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.
10 The LORD {YHWH, Holy Sanctifier} said to Moses, “Go to the people; consecrate them {kiddashtam: set apart holy} today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments.”
11 Let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD {YHWH, Revealing Presence} will come down upon Mount Sinai before the eyes {le'einei: in full view} of all the people.
12 You shall mark off a boundary for the people all around and say, “Guard yourselves {hishameru: take utmost care}: do not go up the mountain, and do not touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death {mot: death sentence}.”
13 No hand is to touch him, for he shall surely be stoned {sakol: executed by stoning} or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live {yikhyeh: allowed to live}. When the ram’s horn sounds long, then they may go up the mountain.
14 Moses {Mosheh: appointed leader} came down from the mountain to the people, consecrated {vayekadesh: set apart} the people, and they washed their garments.
15 Moses {Mosheh: appointed leader} said to the people, “Be prepared {nekhonim: ritually ready} for three days; refrain from drawing near to a woman.”
16 On the third day, when morning arrived, there were sounds {kolot: roaring voices} and lightnings, and a heavy cloud lay on the mountain; the sound of a shofar {shofar: ram’s horn trumpet} was extremely loud, and all the people in the camp trembled.
17 Moses brought the people out from the camp to meet God {haelohim, Holy Encounter}, and they took their stand at the foot {tachtit: lowest part} of the mountain.
18 Mount Sinai was smoking everywhere because the LORD {YHWH, Majestic Descender} came down upon it in fire {esh: visible holy blaze}; its smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled intensely.
19 As the sound of the trumpet {shofar: ram’s horn blast} continued and grew stronger and stronger, Moses would speak, and God {Elohim, Majestic Answerer} answered him with a voice.
20 And the LORD {YHWH, Majestic Revealer} descended to the summit {rosh: highest point} of Mount Sinai; the LORD called Moses to the summit, and Moses ascended.
21 And the LORD {YHWH, Holy Lawgiver} said to Moses, “Go down and warn {haed: solemnly charge} the people so they do not break through to the LORD to see, and many of them perish.”
22 The priests also, who approach the LORD {YHWH, Holy Presence}, must consecrate themselves {yitqaddeshu: set themselves apart}, so that the LORD does not break out against them.
23 Moses said to the LORD {YHWH, Holy Lawgiver}, “The people cannot ascend {laalot: ritual ascent} Mount Sinai, because You warned us, saying, ‘Set a boundary around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’”
24 And the LORD {YHWH, Sacred Boundary Setter} said to him, “Go down. Afterward you shall come up, you and Aaron with you. But the priests and the people must not break through {yeheresu: force breach} to go up to the LORD, lest He break out against them.”
25 Then Moses {Mosheh: drawn out} descended to the people {haam: assembled nation} and addressed them.