Exodus 19

In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

In the third month after their escape from Egypt, the children of Israel found themselves in the barren wilderness of Sinai, their hearts filled with fear and uncertainty.

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

They had left Rephidim, journeying to Sinai's barren desert. In the wilderness, they set up camp, with Israel resting at the foot of the mountain.

And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

Moses climbed towards God, and from the mountain, God's voice echoed, instructing him, "Share this message with Jacob's family and the children of Israel."

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

You've witnessed how I dealt with the Egyptians, and remember how I carried you, as if on the wings of eagles, to be with me.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

If you truly listen to me and honor our agreement, you'll be my most cherished treasure, more precious than anyone else, because the whole world belongs to me.

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

You will become a sacred community of spiritual guides for me, a nation set apart. Share these words with the people of Israel.

And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.

Moses gathered the community's elders, passionately sharing every word that the LORD had entrusted to him.

And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

In unison, the people passionately pledged, "We will follow all that the LORD commands." Moses, deeply moved, relayed their heartfelt commitment to the LORD.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

The LORD assured Moses, "I will appear to you in a dense cloud, so the people can hear our conversation and trust you always." Moses then relayed the people's responses to the LORD.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,

The LORD passionately instructed Moses, "Go, connect with the people. Inspire them to purify their hearts today and tomorrow, and encourage them to cleanse their garments."

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Prepare yourself for the third day, for on that day, in full view of everyone, the Lord will descend upon Mount Sinai.

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

Set a boundary for the people all around the mountain and warn them to be careful not to climb it or even touch its edge. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.

There shall not an 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 mount.

No one, human or animal, should dare to touch it, or they will face certain death, either by stoning or piercing. When the trumpet's call echoes, they may approach the mountain.

And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

Moses descended from the mountain to his people, purifying their hearts, as they cleansed their garments.

And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

He told the crowd, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Do not approach your wives."

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.

On the morning of the third day, a terrifying storm erupted. Thunder roared, lightning flashed, and a dense cloud shrouded the mountain. The sound of a trumpet echoed, so loud and chilling that everyone in the camp shook with fear.

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

Moses led his people from their camp to have an encounter with God, and they gathered at the base of the mountain.

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

Mount Sinai was shrouded in smoke, for God's fiery presence descended upon it. The smoke rose like that from a furnace, and the entire mountain trembled intensely.

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

As the trumpet's call echoed, growing stronger and more intense, Moses spoke. In response, God's voice filled the air, answering him.

And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

With a powerful presence, the LORD descended upon Mount Sinai, its peak enveloped by Him. He summoned Moses to join Him at the summit. Without hesitation, Moses ascended.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish.

With a stern voice, the LORD instructed Moses, "Go, warn the people not to cross the boundary to see me, or many will lose their lives."

And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

Priests who approach God should purify their hearts, or else they risk invoking God's wrath.

And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.

Moses pleaded with the LORD, "The people can't approach Mount Sinai. You've instructed us to set limits around the mountain and make it holy."

And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.

The Lord firmly told him, "Go down, and you may return with Aaron. But ensure the priests and people don't try to approach the Lord, or they'll face His wrath."

So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

Moses descended to the people, his heart heavy, and shared his words with them.