Exodus 20:18-21
New American Standard Bible
18 And (A)all the people were watching and hearing the [a]thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 (B)Then they said to Moses, “Speak [b]to us yourself and we will listen; but do not have God speak [c]to us, or we will die!” 20 However, Moses said to the people, “(C)Do not be afraid; for God has come in order (D)to test you, and in order that (E)the fear of Him may [d]remain with you, so that you will not sin.” 21 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached (F)the thick darkness where God was.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 20:18 Lit sounds
- Exodus 20:19 Lit with
- Exodus 20:19 Lit with
- Exodus 20:20 Lit be before
Exodus 20:18-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Exodus 20:18 Lit saw
- Exodus 20:18 Sam, LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg read smoking; the people (or they) were afraid
- Exodus 20:20 Lit that the fear of Him may be in you, and you do not
Exodus 20:18-21
New International Version
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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