¹³ They are to be stoned^(A) 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^(B) sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”^(C)

¹⁴ After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.^{(D) 15} Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain^(E) from sexual relations.”

¹⁶ On the morning of the third day there was thunder^(F) and lightning, with a thick cloud^(G) over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast.^(H) Everyone in the camp trembled.^{(I) 17} Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.^{(J) 18} Mount Sinai was covered with smoke,^(K) because the Lord descended on it in fire.^(L) The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace,^(M) and the whole mountain^[a] trembled^(N) violently. ¹⁹ As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice^(O) of God answered^(P) him.^[b]

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 to a trumpet blast^(A) or to such a voice speaking words^(B) that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them,^(C)