²⁵ But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. ²⁶ For who out of all mankind has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the fire, as we have, and lived? ²⁷ Go near and listen to everything the Lord our God says. Then you can tell us everything the Lord our God tells you; we will listen and obey.’^(A)

The People’s Reaction

¹⁸ All the people witnessed^[a] the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it^[b] they trembled and stood at a distance.^{(A) 19} “You speak to us, and we will listen,” they said to Moses, “but don’t let God speak to us, or we will die.”^(B)

²⁰ Moses responded to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not^[c] sin.”^{(C) 21} And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.^(D)