18 Now when all the people saw (A)the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid[a] and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, (B)“You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 (C)Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to (D)test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the (E)thick darkness where God was.

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Footnotes

  1. Exodus 20:18 Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Masoretic Text the people saw

18 And kol HaAm saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the sound of the shofar, and HaHar smoking; and when HaAm saw it, they drew back, and stood afar off.

19 And they said unto Moshe, Thou speak with us, and we will hear; but let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die (see Bereshis 42:23).

20 And Moshe said unto HaAm, Fear not: for HaElohim is come to test you, and that His fear may be upon your faces, that ye sin not.

21 And HaAm stood afar off, while Moshe drew near unto the thick cloud where HaElohim was.

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