Exodus 20:18-21

International Standard Version

The People are Terrified in God’s Presence

¹⁸ All the people experienced the thunder and lightning, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the smoking mountain. And as the people experienced it, they trembled and stood at a distance. ¹⁹ They told Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen, but don’t let God speak with us, or we may die.

²⁰ Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you may fear him in order that you don’t sin.” ²¹ Then the people stood at a distance, and Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.