Shmot (Exodus) - Chapter 19

19:1 In the third month after the B'nai Yisrael had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 19:2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Yisrael encamped before the mountain. 19:3 Mosha went up to God, and Mar-Yah called to him out of the mountain, saying, "This is what you shall tell the house of Ya'aqub, and tell the B'nai Yisrael: 19:4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself. 19:5 Now therefore, 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; 19:6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the B'nai Yisrael."

19:7 Mosha came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Mar-Yah commanded him. 19:8 All the people answered together, and said, "All that Mar-Yah has spoken we will do."

Mosha reported the words of the people to Mar-Yah. 19:9 Mar-Yah said to Mosha, "Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." Mosha told the words of the people to Mar-Yah. 19:10 Mar-Yah said to Mosha, "Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 19:11 and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Mar-Yah will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 19:12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, 'Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 19:13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.' When the shofar sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain."

19:14 Mosha went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 19:15 He said to the people, "Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with a woman."

19:16 It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceptionally loud shofar; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 19:17 Mosha led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 19:18 Mount Sinai, all it, smoked, because Mar-Yah descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19:19 When the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Mosha spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 19:20 Mar-Yah came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Mar-Yah called Mosha to the top of the mountain, and Mosha went up.

19:21 Mar-Yah said to Mosha, "Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Mar-Yah to gaze, and many of them perish. 19:22 Let the priests also, who come near to Mar-Yah, sanctify themselves, lest Mar-Yah break forth on them."

19:23 Mosha said to Mar-Yah, "The people ca not come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.'"

19:24 Mar-Yah said to him, "Go down and you shall bring Aaron up with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to Mar-Yah, lest he break forth on them."

19:25 So Mosha went down to the people, and told them.