16. On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear.
17. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain.
18. Smoke covered Mount Sinai, because the Lord came down on it in fire. The smoke rose up from it like smoke from a furnace. The whole mountain trembled and shook.
19. The sound of the trumpet got louder and louder. Then Moses spoke. And the voice of God answered him.
20. The Lord came down to the top of Mount Sinai. He told Moses to come to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.
21. The Lord said to him, "Go down and warn the people. They must not force their way through to see me. If they do, many of them will die.
22. The priests approach me when they serve me. But even they must set themselves apart for me. If they do not, my anger will break out against them."
23. Moses said to the Lord, "The people can't come up Mount Sinai. You yourself warned us. You said, 'Put limits around the mountain. Set it apart as holy.' "
24. The Lord replied, "Go down. Bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through. They must not come up to me. If they do, my anger will break out against them."