(4) 1 In the third month after the children of Israel [God prevails] had gone out of the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai [Thorn]. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai [Thorn], they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel [God prevails] encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses [Drawn out] went up to God, and Adonai called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob [Supplanter], and tell the children of Israel [God prevails]: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians [people from Abode of slavery], and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed sh'ma ·hear obey· my voice, and sh'ma ·hear obey· keep my covenant ·binding contract between two or more parties·, then you shall be my own segulah ·special treasure· from among all peoples; *Quoted in 1 Pet 2:9 for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, †Quoted in 1 Pet 2:9; Rev 1:6, 5:10 and a holy nation.’ ‡Quoted in 1 Pet 2:9 These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel [God prevails].”
(5) 7 Moses [Drawn out] came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Adonai enjoined him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that Adonai has spoken we will do.”
Moses [Drawn out] reported the words of the people to Adonai . 9Adonai said to Moses [Drawn out], “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may sh'ma ·hear obey· when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses [Drawn out] told the words of the people to Adonai . 10Adonai said to Moses [Drawn out], “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready against the third day; for on the third day Adonai will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai [Thorn]. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal §Quoted in Heb 12:20 or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”
(S:6) 14 Moses [Drawn out] went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”
16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, *Quoted in Rev 4:5 and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud shofar ·ram horn·; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses [Drawn out] led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai [Thorn] smoked, because Adonai descended on it in fire; †Quoted in Heb 12:18 and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the sound of the shofar ·ram horn· grew louder and louder, Moses [Drawn out] spoke, and God answered him by a voice. ‡Quoted in Heb 12:19(A:6, S:7) 20Adonai came down on Mount Sinai [Thorn], to the top of the mountain. Adonai called Moses [Drawn out] to the top of the mountain, and Moses [Drawn out] went up.
21Adonai said to Moses [Drawn out], “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Adonai to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to Adonai , sanctify themselves, lest Adonai break out on them.”
23 Moses [Drawn out] said to Adonai , “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai [Thorn], for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’ ”
24Adonai said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron [Light-bringer] up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Adonai , lest he break out against them.”
hMPr: The Rabbis teach if Israel kept just one Sabbath according to the commandment, the Messiah would immediately come (Ex 19:25 in Jerusalem Targum 64). (Matt 23:39; John 14:23)
