Exodus 20:18-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
18 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid[a] and trembled and stood at a distance(A) 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”(B) 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.”(C) 21 Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.(D)
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- 20.18 Sam Gk Syr Vg: MT they saw
Exodus 20:18-21
Revised Standard Version
18 Now when all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled; and they stood afar off, 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to prove you, and that the fear of him may be before your eyes, that you may not sin.”
The Law concerning the Altar
21 And the people stood afar off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
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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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