Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the third month after they had left Egypt, Israel arrived in the Sinai wilderness. They pitched their camp in the desert before the mountain on that same day. Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, "This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and declare to the children of Israel: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself. 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.

You will be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Moses came and called for the elders of the people, laying before them all the words that the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered together, saying, "We will do everything the Lord has spoken." Moses then reported their response to the Lord.

The Lord said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud," and again, "Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, letting them wash their clothes. Be ready against the third day, for on that day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai." The Lord also instructed Moses to set boundaries around the people, saying, "Be cautious and do not approach the mountain or touch its edge; anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death."

No one was to touch the mountain, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mount. Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified them; they then washed their clothes. He said to the people, "Be ready by the third day; do not approach your wives."

On the third day at dawn, thunder and lightning burst forth, accompanied by a dense cloud on the mountain, and the trumpet's blast caused all the people in the camp to tremble. Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the base of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and the smoke rose like that of a furnace while the entire mountain shook violently.

When the voice of the trumpet sounded long and grew louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. The Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on its top, and called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Moses was instructed not to let anyone gaze at God lest many people perish, so he warned the priests who were coming near to sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth against them.

Moses reminded the Lord that the people couldn't come up to Mount Sinai because they had been commanded to set boundaries around it and consecrate it. The Lord replied, "Go down and come up with you and Aaron, but let neither the priests nor the people break through to come near me, lest I break out against them." Moses went down to the people and spoke to them.