³¹ And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand^(A) of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared^(B) the Lord and put their trust^(C) in him and in Moses his servant.

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 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak^(A) to us or we will die.”^(B)

²⁴ “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness^(A) and your strong hand. For what god^(B) is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works^(C) you do?^(D)

⁵ to redeem^(A) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(B) to sonship.^{[a](C) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(D) into our hearts,^(E) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[b] Father.”^{(F) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(G)

⁵ “Moses was faithful as a servant^(A) in all God’s house,”^[a](B) bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. ⁶ But Christ is faithful as the Son^(C) over God’s house. And we are his house,^(D) if indeed we hold firmly^(E) to our confidence and the hope^(F) in which we glory.

⁶ When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly^(A) into the outer room to carry on their ministry. ⁷ But only the high priest entered^(B) the inner room,^(C) and that only once a year,^(D) and never without blood,^(E) which he offered for himself^(F) and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.^(G)

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices,^(A) which can never take away sins.^{(B) 12} But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins,^(C) he sat down at the right hand of God,^{(D) 13} and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.^{(E) 14} For by one sacrifice he has made perfect^(F) forever those who are being made holy.^(G)

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also testifies^(H) to us about this. First he says:

¹⁷ Then he adds:

¹⁸ And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence^(K) to enter the Most Holy Place^(L) by the blood of Jesus,

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) 20} because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”^{[a](E) 21} The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”^[b](F)

²² But you have come to Mount Zion,^(G) to the city^(H) of the living God,^(I) the heavenly Jerusalem.^(J) You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, ²³ to the church of the firstborn,^(K) whose names are written in heaven.^(L) You have come to God, the Judge of all,^(M) to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,^{(N) 24} to Jesus the mediator^(O) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood^(P) that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.^(Q)

²⁵ See to it that you do not refuse^(R) him who speaks.^(S) If they did not escape when they refused him who warned^(T) them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?^{(U) 26} At that time his voice shook the earth,^(V) but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”^{[c](W) 27} The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken^(X)—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,^(Y) let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,^(Z)