19Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.H7992H2320H1121H3478H3318H776H4714H3117H935H4057H55142After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.H5265H7508H935H4057H5514H2583H4057H3478H2583H20223Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel.H4872H5927H430H3068H7121H2022H559H559H1004H3290H5046H1121H34784'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.H7200H6213H4714H5375H5404H3671H9355Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me.H8085H6963H8085H8104H1285H5459H5971H7766And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel."H4467H3548H6918H1471H1697H1696H1121H34787So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the LORD had commanded him.H4872H935H7121H2205H5971H7760H6440H1697H3068H66808And all the people responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the LORD.H5971H6030H3162H559H3068H1696H6213H4872H7725H1697H5971H30689Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud, Moses, so the people themselves can hear me when I speak with you. Then they will always trust you." Moses told the LORD what the people had said.H3068H559H4872H935H5645H6051H5971H8085H1696H539H5769H4872H5046H1697H5971H306810Then the LORD told Moses, "Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing.H3068H559H4872H3212H5971H6942H3117H4279H3526H807111Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.H3559H7992H3117H7992H3117H3068H3381H5869H5971H2022H551412Mark off a boundary all around the mountain. Warn the people, 'Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Anyone who touches the mountain will certainly be put to death.H1379H5971H5439H559H8104H5927H2022H5060H7097H5060H2022H4191H419113No hand may touch the person or animal that crosses the boundary; instead, stone them or shoot them with arrows. They must be put to death.' However, when the ram's horn sounds a long blast, then the people may go up on the mountain."H3027H5060H5619H5619H176H3384H3384H929H518H376H2421H3104H4900H5927H202214So Moses went down to the people. He consecrated them for worship, and they washed their clothes.H4872H3381H2022H5971H6942H5971H3526H807115He told them, "Get ready for the third day, and until then abstain from having sexual intercourse."H559H5971H1961H3559H7969H3117H5066H80216On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram's horn, and all the people trembled.H7992H3117H1242H6963H1300H3515H6051H2022H6963H7782H3966H2389H5971H4264H272917Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.H4872H3318H5971H4264H7125H430H3320H8482H202218All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.H2022H5514H6225H6440H834H3068H3381H784H6227H5927H6227H3536H2022H2729H396619As the blast of the ram's horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.H6963H7782H6963H1980H2390H3966H4872H1696H430H6030H696320The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain.H3068H3381H2022H5514H7218H2022H3068H7121H4872H413H7218H2022H4872H592721Then the LORD told Moses, "Go back down and warn the people not to break through the boundaries to see the LORD, or they will die.H3068H559H4872H3381H5749H5971H2040H3068H7200H7227H530722Even the priests who regularly come near to the LORD must purify themselves so that the LORD does not break out and destroy them."H3548H5066H3068H6942H3068H655523"But LORD," Moses protested, "the people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. You already warned us. You told me, 'Mark off a boundary all around the mountain to set it apart as holy.'"H4872H559H3068H5971H3201H5927H2022H5514H5749H559H1379H2022H694224But the LORD said, "Go down and bring Aaron back up with you. In the meantime, do not let the priests or the people break through to approach the LORD, or he will break out and destroy them."H3068H559H3212H3381H5927H175H3548H5971H2040H5927H3068H655525So Moses went down to the people and told them what the LORD had said.H4872H3381H5971H559
Ten Commandments for the Covenant Community
20Then God gave the people all these instructions.H430H1696H1697H5592"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.H3068H430H3318H776H4714H1004H56503"You must not have any other god but me.H312H430H64404"You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.H6213H6459H8544H834H8064H4605H776H4325H7765You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.H7812H5647H3068H430H7067H410H6485H5771H1H1121H8029H7256H81306But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.H6213H2617H505H157H8104H46877"You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.H5375H8034H3068H430H7723H3068H5352H5375H8034H77238"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.H2142H7676H3117H69429You have six days each week for your ordinary work,H8337H3117H5647H6213H439910but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.H7637H3117H7676H3068H430H6213H4399H1121H1323H5650H519H929H1616H817911For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.H8337H3117H3068H6213H8064H776H3220H5117H7637H3117H3068H1288H7676H3117H694212"Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.H3513H1H517H3117H748H127H3068H430H541413"You must not murder.H752314"You must not commit adultery.H500315"You must not steal.H158916"You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.H6030H8267H5707H745317"You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor."H2530H7453H1004H2530H7453H802H5650H519H7794H2543H745318When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram's horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.H5971H7200H6963H3940H6963H7782H2022H6226H5971H7200H5128H5975H735019And they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us, or we will die!"H559H4872H1696H8085H430H1696H419120"Don't be afraid," Moses answered them, "for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!"H4872H559H5971H3372H430H935H5668H5254H3374H6440H239821As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.H5971H5975H7350H4872H5066H6205H430
Proper Use of Altars
22And the LORD said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: You saw for yourselves that I spoke to you from heaven.H3068H559H4872H559H1121H3478H7200H1696H806423Remember, you must not make any idols of silver or gold to rival me.H6213H430H3701H6213H430H209124"Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me—your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.H4196H127H6213H2076H5930H8002H6629H1241H4725H2142H8034H935H128825If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.H6213H4196H68H1129H1496H5130H2719H249026And do not approach my altar by going up steps. If you do, someone might look up under your clothing and see your nakedness.H5927H4609H4196H6172H1540
Fair Treatment of Slaves
21"These are the regulations you must present to Israel.H4941H7760H64402"If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom.H7069H5680H5650H8337H8141H5647H7637H3318H2670H26003If he was single when he became your slave, he shall leave single. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife must be freed with him.H935H1610H3318H1610H1167H802H802H33184"If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave and they had sons or daughters, then only the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master.H113H5414H802H3205H1121H1323H802H3206H113H3318H16105But the slave may declare, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don't want to go free.'H5650H559H559H157H113H802H1121H3318H26706If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.H113H5066H430H5066H1817H4201H113H7527H241H4836H5647H57697"When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are.H376H4376H1323H519H3318H5650H33188If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her.H7451H5869H113H3259H6299H4376H5237H5971H4910H8989But if the slave's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave but as a daughter.H3259H1121H6213H4941H132310"If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy.H3947H312H7607H3682H5772H163911If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.H6213H7969H3318H2600H3701
Cases of Personal Injury
12"Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.H5221H376H4191H4191H419113But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety.H6658H430H579H3027H7760H4725H512714However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.H376H2102H7453H2026H6195H3947H4196H419115"Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death.H5221H1H517H4191H419116"Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves.H1589H376H4376H4672H3027H4191H419117"Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death.H7043H1H517H4191H419118"Now suppose two men quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, and the injured person does not die but is confined to bed.H582H7378H376H5221H7453H68H176H106H4191H5307H490419If he is later able to walk outside again, even with a crutch, the assailant will not be punished but must compensate his victim for lost wages and provide for his full recovery.H6965H1980H2351H4938H5221H5352H5414H7674H7495H749520"If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must be punished.H376H5221H5650H519H7626H4191H3027H5358H535821But if the slave recovers within a day or two, then the owner shall not be punished, since the slave is his property.H389H5975H3117H8147H5358H370122"Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman's husband demands and the judges approve.H582H5327H5062H802H2030H3206H3318H611H6064H6064H802H1167H7896H5414H641423But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life,H611H5414H5315H531524an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,H5869H5869H8127H8127H3027H3027H7272H727225a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.H3555H3555H6482H6482H2250H225026"If a man hits his male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye.H376H5221H5869H5650H5869H519H7843H7971H2670H8478H586927And if a man knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.H5307H5650H8127H519H8127H7971H2670H812728"If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable.H7794H5055H376H802H4191H7794H5619H5619H1320H398H1167H7794H535529But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death.H7794H5056H8543H8032H5749H1167H8104H4191H376H802H7794H5619H1167H419130However, the dead person's relatives may accept payment to compensate for the loss of life. The owner of the ox may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.H7896H3724H5414H6306H5315H789631"The same regulation applies if the ox gores a boy or a girl.H5055H1121H176H5055H1323H4941H621332But if the ox gores a slave, either male or female, the animal's owner must pay the slave's owner thirty silver coins, and the ox must be stoned.H7794H5055H5650H519H5414H113H7970H8255H3701H7794H561933"Suppose someone digs or uncovers a pit and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it.H376H6605H953H376H3738H953H3680H7794H2543H530734The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal.H1167H953H7999H7725H3701H1167H419135"If someone's ox injures a neighbor's ox and the injured ox dies, then the two owners must sell the live ox and divide the price equally between them. They must also divide the dead animal.H376H7794H5062H7453H4191H4376H2416H7794H2673H3701H4191H267336But if the ox had a reputation for goring, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox.H3045H7794H5056H8543H8032H1167H8104H7999H7999H7794H7794H4191
23[A psalm of David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.H4210H1732H3068H7462H26372He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.H7257H1877H4999H5095H4496H43253He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.H7725H5315H5148H4570H6664H80344Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.H3212H1516H6757H3372H7451H7626H4938H51625You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.H6186H7979H6440H6887H1878H7218H8081H3563H73106Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.H2896H2617H7291H3117H2416H3427H1004H3068H753H3117
Unknown
, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai.H7992
