18-19 All the people, experiencing the thunder and lightning, the trumpet blast and the smoking mountain, were afraid—they pulled back and stood at a distance. They said to Moses, “You speak to us and we’ll listen, but don’t have God speak to us or we’ll die.”

20 Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid. God has come to test you and instill a deep and reverent awe within you so that you won’t sin.”

21 The people kept their distance while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

Read full chapter

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet(A) and saw the mountain in smoke,(B) they trembled with fear.(C) They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak(D) to us or we will die.”(E)

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.(F) God has come to test(G) you, so that the fear(H) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”(I)

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness(J) where God was.

Read full chapter