Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Moses, along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders, was summoned to come up to the Lord and worship from a distance. Only Moses alone was permitted to draw near to the Lord, while the others were kept at a distance. The people were also not allowed to follow him.

Moses came back down to the people and shared with them all the words of the Lord and all the judgments he had received. In response, they spoke with one voice, saying, "We will do everything that the Lord has said." So Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord and then rose early in the morning to build an altar under a hill. He constructed it according to the twelve tribes of Israel, using twelve pillars.

Moses sent some young men from among the children of Israel to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings of cattle to the Lord. He took half of the blood that was collected during these sacrifices and placed it in basins. The other half he sprinkled on the altar. Next, Moses took the book of the covenant, read its contents aloud to the people, and they responded with one voice, saying, "We will do everything the Lord has said and be obedient."

Then Moses took the blood, sprinkling it on the people as well. He declared, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you concerning all these words." With that, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of Israel's elders ascended to a higher place where they saw God. Beneath His feet was a pavement of sapphire stone like the very heavens in clarity.

The nobles among the children of Israel were not touched by God; yet they saw Him and partook in a meal, eating and drinking. The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, but stay there for I will give you stone tablets with the law and commands that I have written." So Moses rose up, taking Joshua his assistant along, while he ascended into the mountain of God.

Moses instructed the elders to wait with Aaron and Hur until he returned, assuring them that any matters could be addressed through these leaders. With that, Moses went up onto the mount. A cloud covered it, blocking the people's view.

The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, enveloping the mountain in a cloud for six days. On the seventh day, He called to Moses from within the cloud. The sight of the Lord's glory was like devouring fire, visible from the top of the mountain to the children of Israel.

Moses stepped into the middle of the cloud and ascended to the mountain where he remained for forty days and forty nights.