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 chapter

Footnotes

  1. Exodus 20:18 Lit sounds
  2. Exodus 20:19 Lit with
  3. Exodus 20:19 Lit with
  4. Exodus 20:20 Lit be before

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.

Read full chapter