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Exodus 19

English Standard Version



1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. (Nu 33:15) 2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, (Ex 3:1; Ex 17:1; Ex 17:8) 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: (Ex 3:4; Ex 20:21; Ac 7:38) 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (De 29:2; De 32:11; Isa 63:9; Re 12:14) 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (Ex 9:29; De 7:6; De 10:14; De 14:2; De 26:18; Job 41:11; Ps 24:1; Ps 50:12; Ps 135:4; Mal 3:17; 1Co 10:26; Tit 2:14) 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” (Le 20:26; De 7:6; De 14:21; De 26:19; De 28:9; Isa 62:12; 1Pe 2:5; 1Pe 2:9; Re 1:6; Re 5:10; Re 20:6) 7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord. (Ex 24:3; Ex 24:7; De 5:27; De 26:17) 9 And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, (Ex 14:31; Ex 20:21; Ex 24:16; De 4:11; De 4:12; De 4:36; Ps 18:11; Ps 97:2; Mt 17:5; Joh 12:28) 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments (Ge 35:2; Le 11:44; Le 15:5; Jos 3:5) 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (Ex 34:5; De 33:2) 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. (Heb 12:20) 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot;[1] whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” (Ex 19:16; Ex 19:19) 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. (Ex 19:3; Ex 19:10) 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” (Ex 19:11; 1Sa 21:4; 1Co 7:5) 16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (Ex 19:9; Ex 19:13; Ex 19:15; Ps 77:18; Heb 12:18; Heb 12:21; Re 4:5; Re 8:5; Re 11:19) 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. (De 4:10) 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. (Ex 24:17; Jud 5:5; Ps 68:8; Ps 144:5; Isa 6:4; Heb 12:26; Re 15:8) 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. (Ex 19:16; Ne 9:13; Ps 81:7) 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. (Ex 3:6; 1Sa 6:19) 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” (Le 10:3; 2Sa 6:8; 1Ch 13:11) 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” (Ex 19:12; Jos 3:4) 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” (2Sa 6:8; 1Ch 13:11) 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. 

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Exodus 19

New International Version



1 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt – on that very day – they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, ‘This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you[1] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.’ 7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.’ Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said. 10 And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Make them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, “Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.” Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.’ 14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, ‘Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.’ 16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain[2] trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.[3] 20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, ‘Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.’ 23 Moses said to the Lord, ‘The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, “Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.” ’ 24 The Lord replied, ‘Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.’ 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. 

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Exodus 19

King James Version

1 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. 2 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. 3 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; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles'wings, and brought you unto myself. 5 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: 6 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. 7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 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. 9 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. 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 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. 12 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: 13 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. 14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at 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 brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. 18 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. 19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. 20 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. 21 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. 22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. 23 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. 24 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. 25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them. 

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain.
Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Exodus 19

New International Reader’s Version



1 Exactly three months after the people of Israel left Egypt, they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they started out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai. They camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God. The LORD called out to him from the mountain. He said, ‘Here is what I want you to say to my people, who belong to Jacob’s family. Tell the Israelites, 4 “You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself. 5 Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine. 6 But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.” That is what you must tell the Israelites.’ 7 So Moses went back. He sent for the elders of the people. He explained to them everything the LORD had commanded him to say. 8 All the people answered together. They said, ‘We will do everything the LORD has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. 9 The LORD spoke to Moses. He said, ‘I am going to come to you in a thick cloud. The people will hear me speaking with you. They will always put their trust in you.’ Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said. 10 The LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart for me. Let them wash their clothes. 11 Have the people ready by the third day. On that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai. Everyone will see it. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain. Tell them, “Be careful that you do not go near the mountain. Do not even touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 Do not lay a hand on any of them. Kill them with stones or shoot them with arrows. Whether they are people or animals, do not let them live.” They may go near the mountain only when the ram’s horn gives out a long blast.’ 14 Moses went down the mountain to the people. After he set them apart for the LORD, they washed their clothes. 15 Then he spoke to the people. He said, ‘Get ready for the third day. Don’t have sex.’ 16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Smoke covered Mount Sinai, because the LORD came down on it in fire. The smoke rose up from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain trembled and shook. 19 The sound of the trumpet got louder and louder. Then Moses spoke. And the voice of God answered him. 20 The LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai. He told Moses to come to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up. 21 The LORD said to him, ‘Go down and warn the people. They must not force their way through to see the LORD. If they do, many of them will die. 22 The priests approach the LORD when they serve him. But even they must set themselves apart for the LORD. If they do not, his anger will break out against them.’ 23 Moses said to the LORD, ‘The people can’t come up Mount Sinai. You yourself warned us. You said, “Put limits around the mountain. Set it apart as holy.” ’ 24 The LORD replied, ‘Go down. Bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through. They must not come up to the LORD. If they do, his anger will break out against them.’ 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them. 

Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® (Anglicised)
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

“Biblica”, “International Bible Society” and the Biblica Logo are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission.