The People Afraid of God’s Presence

18 Now (A)all the people (B)witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain (C)smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, (D)“You speak with us, and we will hear; but (E)let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

20 And Moses said to the people, (F)“Do not fear; (G)for God has come to test you, and (H)that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” 21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near (I)the thick darkness where God was.

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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.

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