¹⁰ And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate^(A) them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes^{(B) 11} and be ready by the third day,^(C) because on that day the Lord will come down^(D) on Mount Sinai^(E) in the sight of all the people. ¹² Put limits^(F) 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^(G) 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^(H) sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”^(I)

¹⁴ After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.^{(J) 15} Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain^(K) from sexual relations.”

¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there was thunder^(L) and lightning, with a thick cloud^(M) over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.^(N) Everyone in the camp trembled.^{(O) 17} Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.^{(P) 18} Mount Sinai was covered with smoke,^(Q) because the Lord descended on it in fire.^(R) The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace,^(S) and the whole mountain^[a] trembled^(T) violently. ¹⁹ As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice^(U) of God answered^(V) him.^[b]

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy

¹⁸ You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;^{(A) 19} to a trumpet blast^(B) or to such a voice speaking words^(C) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^(D)