The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai

19 On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. ² They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.^{(A) 3} Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites:^{(B) 4} ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.^{(C) 5} Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,^{(D) 6} but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”^(E)

⁷ So Moses went, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. ⁸ The people all answered as one, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.^(F)

The Ten Commandments

20 Then God spoke all these words,^(A)

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;^{(B) 3} you shall have no other gods before^[a] me.^(C)

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.^{(D) 5} You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me^{(E) 6} but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation^[b] of those who love me and keep my commandments.^(F)

⁷ “You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.^(G)

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.^{(H) 9} Six days you shall labor and do all your work.^{(I) 10} But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.^(J)

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.^(K)

¹³ “You shall not murder.^[c](L)

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.^(M)

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.^(N)

¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.^(O)

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female slave, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”^(P)

¹⁸ When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid^[d] and trembled and stood at a distance^{(Q) 19} and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”^{(R) 20} Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come only to test you and to put the fear of him upon you so that you do not sin.”^{(S) 21} Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.^(T)