Exodus 9; Exodus 10; Exodus 11; Exodus 12; Exodus 13; Exodus 14; Exodus 15; Exodus 16; Exodus 17; Exodus 18; Exodus 19; Exodus 20; Exodus 21; Exodus 22; Exodus 23; Exodus 24

Exodus 9

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, and tell him, 'This is what the LORD God of the Hebrews says: Let my people go to worship me.

2 If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them [in slavery],

3 the LORD will bring a terrible plague on your livestock, including your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats.

4 But the LORD will distinguish between Israel's livestock and the livestock of the Egyptians. No animals belonging to the Israelites will die.'"

5 The LORD set a definite time. He said, "Tomorrow I will do this."

6 The next day the LORD did as he said. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but none of the Israelites' animals died.

7 Pharaoh found out that not one of the Israelites' animals had died. Yet, Pharaoh continued to be stubborn and would not let the people go.

8 Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take a handful of ashes from a kiln, and have Moses throw them up in the air as Pharaoh watches.

9 They will become a fine dust throughout Egypt. The dust will cause boils to break into open sores on people and animals throughout Egypt."

10 They took ashes from a kiln and stood in front of Pharaoh. Moses threw the ashes up in the air, and they caused boils to break into open sores on people and animals.

11 The magicians couldn't compete with Moses because they had boils like all the other Egyptians.

12 But the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn, so he wouldn't listen to Moses and Aaron, as the LORD had predicted to Moses.

13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Early in the morning, go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD God of the Hebrews says: Let my people go to worship me.

14 Now I will send plagues that will affect you personally as well as your officials and people. This is how you will know that there is no one like me anywhere on earth.

15 By now I could have used my power to kill you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth.

16 But I have spared you for this reason. I want to show you my power and make my name famous throughout the earth.

17 You are still blocking my people from leaving.

18 So, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever happened in Egypt since the beginning of its history.

19 Now, send [servants] to bring your livestock and everything else you have indoors. All people and animals still outside and not brought in will die when the hail falls on them.'"

20 Those members of Pharaoh's court who listened to the LORD's warning brought their servants and cattle indoors quickly.

21 But those who didn't take the LORD's warning seriously left their servants and animals out in the open.

22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward the sky, and hail will fall on people, animals, and every plant in the fields of Egypt."

23 When Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD made it hail on Egypt.

24 It hailed, and lightning flashed while it hailed. This was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation.

25 All over Egypt the hail knocked down everything that was out in the open. It struck down people, animals, and every plant in the fields and destroyed every tree in the fields.

26 The only place it didn't hail was the region of Goshen, where the Israelites lived.

27 Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron. "This time I have sinned," he told them. "The LORD is right, and my people and I are wrong.

28 Pray to the LORD. We've had enough of God's thunder and hail. I'll let you go; you don't have to stay here any longer."

29 Moses replied, "As soon as I'm out of the city, I'll spread out my hands to the LORD in prayer. The thunder will stop, and there will be no more hail. This is how you will know that the earth belongs to the LORD.

30 But I know that you and your officials still don't fear the LORD God."

31 (The flax and the barley were ruined, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was in bloom.

32 Neither the wheat nor the wild grain was damaged, because they ripen later.)

33 As soon as he left Pharaoh and went out of the city, Moses spread out his hands to the LORD in prayer. The thunder and the hail stopped, and no more rain came pouring down on the ground.

34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had stopped, he sinned again. He and his officials continued to be stubborn.

35 Pharaoh was stubborn and would not let the Israelites go, as the LORD had predicted through Moses.

Exodus 10

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh. I have made him and his officials stubborn so that I can do these miraculous signs among them.

2 You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren exactly how I treated the Egyptians and what miraculous signs I did among them. This is how you will all know that I am the LORD."

3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "This is what the LORD God of the Hebrews says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself in my presence? Let my people go to worship me.

4 If you refuse to let my people go, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country.

5 They will cover the land so that the ground can't be seen. They will eat everything left by the hail, including every tree still standing in the fields.

6 They will fill your houses and the houses of all your officials and those of all the Egyptians. Your parents and ancestors never saw anything like this from the time they first came here until now." Moses turned and left Pharaoh.

7 Then Pharaoh's officials asked him, "How long will this man hold us in his grip? Let the Israelite men go to worship the LORD their God. When will you realize that Egypt is ruined?"

8 So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the LORD your God," he said to them. "But exactly who will be going?"

9 Moses answered, "Everyone! We'll be taking our young and old, our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds with us. For us it's a pilgrimage festival in the LORD's honor."

10 Pharaoh said to them, "The LORD would have to be with you if I would ever let you take your women and children along. I know you're up to no good!

11 No! Only the men may go to worship the LORD, since that's what you've been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were thrown out of Pharaoh's palace.

12 The LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over Egypt to bring locusts. They will invade Egypt and eat up every plant in the land--everything left by the hail."

13 Moses held his staff over the land of Egypt, and the LORD made a wind from the east blow over the land all that day and all that night. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts.

14 They invaded all of Egypt and landed all over the country in great swarms. Never before had there been so many locusts like this, nor would there ever be that many again.

15 They covered all the ground until it was black [with them]. They ate all the plants and all the fruit on the trees that the hail had left. Nothing green was left on any tree or plant anywhere in Egypt.

16 Then Pharaoh quickly called for Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.

17 Please forgive my sin one more time. Pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me."

18 Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD.

19 Then the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind. It picked up the locusts and blew them into the Red Sea. Not one locust was left anywhere in Egypt.

20 But the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn, so he did not let the Israelites go.

21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Lift your hand toward the sky, and a darkness [so thick] that it can be felt will come over Egypt."

22 Moses lifted his hand toward the sky, and throughout Egypt there was total darkness for three days.

23 People couldn't see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the Israelites had light where they were living.

24 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and said, "Go, worship the LORD! Even your women and children may go with you, but your flocks and herds must stay behind."

25 But Moses said, "You must allow us to take [our animals] for the sacrifices and burnt offerings we have to make to the LORD our God.

26 All our livestock must go with us. Not one animal must be left behind. We'll have to use some of them for worshiping the LORD our God, and we won't know what we'll need until we get there."

27 But the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn, so he refused to let them go.

28 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Get out of my sight! Don't ever let me see your face again. The day I do, you will die."

29 "You're right!" Moses answered. "You'll never see my face again."

Exodus 11

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that he will let you go. When he does, he will be certain to force all of you out of here.

2 Now announce to the people [of Israel] that each man and woman must ask the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry."

3 The LORD made the Egyptians kind to the people. And Moses was highly respected by Pharaoh's officials and all the Egyptians.

4 Moses said, "This is what the LORD says: About midnight I will go out among the Egyptians.

5 Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who rules the land, to the firstborn children of female slaves who use their handmills, including every firstborn domestic animal.

6 There will be loud crying throughout Egypt, such as there has never been or ever will be again.

7 But where the Israelites are, not even a dog will be startled by any person or animal. This is how you will see that the LORD shows the distinction between Egypt and Israel.

8 Then all these officials of yours will come, bow down to me, and say, 'You and all the people who follow you, get out!' After that I will leave." Burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh.

9 The LORD had said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. This is why I will do more amazing things in Egypt."

10 Moses and Aaron showed Pharaoh all these amazing things. Yet, the LORD made Pharaoh stubborn, so he wouldn't let the Israelites leave his country.

Exodus 12

1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,

2 "This month will be the very first month of the year for you.

3 Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth [day] of this month each man must take a lamb or a young goat for his family--one animal per household.

4 A household may be too small to eat a whole animal. That household and the one next door can share one animal. Choose your animal based on the number of people and what each person can eat.

5 Your animal must be a one-year-old male that has no defects. You may choose a lamb or a young goat.

6 Take care of it until the fourteenth [day] of this month. "Then at dusk, all the assembled people from the community of Israel must slaughter their animals.

7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they will eat the animals.

8 The meat must be eaten that same night. It must be roasted over a fire and eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread.

9 Don't eat any of it raw or boiled but roast the whole animal over a fire.

10 Don't leave any of it until morning. Anything left over in the morning must be burned up.

11 This is how [you should be dressed when] you eat it: with your belt on, your sandals on your feet, and your shepherd's staff in your hand. You must eat it in a hurry. It is the LORD's Passover.

12 "On that same night I will go throughout Egypt and kill every firstborn male, both human and animal. I will severely punish all the gods of Egypt, [because] I am the LORD.

13 But the blood on your houses will be a sign for your protection. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Nothing will touch or destroy you when I strike Egypt.

14 "This day will be one for you to remember. This is a permanent law for generations to come: You will celebrate this day as a pilgrimage festival in the LORD's honor.

15 For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the very first day you must remove any yeast that you have in your houses. Whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh day must be excluded from Israel.

16 You must have a holy assembly on the first day and another one on the seventh. You must not work on these days except to prepare your own meals. That's all you may do.

17 You must celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread because it was on this very day that I brought you out of Egypt in organized family groups. This is a permanent law for future generations: You must celebrate this day.

18 From the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day you must eat unleavened bread.

19 There should be no yeast in your houses for seven days. Whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be excluded from the community of Israel, whether he is an Israelite or not.

20 Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat [only] unleavened bread."

21 Then Moses called for all the leaders of Israel. He said to them, "Pick out a lamb or a young goat for your families, and kill the Passover animal.

22 Take the branch of a hyssop plant, dip it in the blood which is in a bowl, and put some of the blood on the top and sides of the doorframes [of your houses]. No one may leave the house until morning.

23 The LORD will go throughout Egypt to kill the Egyptians. When he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, he will pass over that doorway, and he will not let the destroyer come into your home to kill you.

24 "You must follow these instructions. They are a permanent law for you and your children.

25 When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony.

26 When your children ask you what this ceremony means to you,

27 you must answer, 'It's the Passover sacrifice in the LORD's honor. The LORD passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he killed the Egyptians.'" Then the people knelt, bowing with their faces touching the ground.

28 The Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.

29 At midnight the LORD killed every firstborn male in Egypt from the firstborn son of Pharaoh who ruled the land to the firstborn son of the prisoner in jail, and also every firstborn animal.

30 Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the [other] Egyptians got up during the night. There was loud crying throughout Egypt because in every house someone had died.

31 Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron during the night. He said, "You and the Israelites must leave my people at once. Go, worship the LORD as you asked.

32 Take your flocks and herds, too, as you asked. Just go! And bless me, too!"

33 The Egyptians begged the people to leave the country quickly. They said, "Soon we'll all be dead!"

34 So the people picked up their bread dough before it had risen and carried it on their shoulders in bowls, wrapped up in their clothes.

35 The Israelites did what Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for gold and silver jewelry and for clothes.

36 The LORD made the Egyptians generous to the people, and they gave them what they asked for. So the Israelites stripped Egypt of its wealth.

37 The Israelites left Rameses to go to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, plus all the women and children.

38 Many other people also went with them, along with large numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle.

39 With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked round, flat bread. The dough hadn't risen because they'd been thrown out of Egypt and had no time to prepare food for the trip.

40 The Israelites had been living in Egypt for 430 years.

41 After exactly 430 years all the LORD's people left Egypt in organized family groups.

42 That night the LORD kept watch to take them out of Egypt. (All Israelites in future generations must keep watch on this night, since it is dedicated to the LORD.)

43 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the rules for the Passover: "No foreigner may eat the Passover meal.

44 "Any male slave you have bought may eat it after you have circumcised him.

45 "No foreigner visiting you may eat it. "No hired worker may eat it.

46 "The meal must be eaten inside one house. Never take any of the meat outside the house. "Never break any of the bones.

47 "The whole community of Israel must celebrate the Passover.

48 "Foreigners may want to celebrate the LORD's Passover. First, every male in the household must be circumcised. Then they may celebrate the Passover like native-born Israelites. But no uncircumcised males may ever eat the Passover meal.

49 The same instructions apply to native-born Israelites as well as foreigners."

50 All the Israelites did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.

51 That very day the LORD brought all the Israelites out of Egypt in organized family groups.

Exodus 13

1 The LORD spoke to Moses,

2 "Set apart every firstborn male for me. Every firstborn male offspring among the Israelites is mine, whether human or animal."

3 Then Moses said to the people, "Remember this day--the day when you left Egypt, the land of slavery. The LORD used his mighty hand to bring you out of there. Don't eat anything made with yeast.

4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving Egypt.

5 The LORD swore to your ancestors that he would give you the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. When he brings you into that land flowing with milk and honey, you must observe this ceremony in this month.

6 "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. The seventh day will be a pilgrimage festival in the LORD's honor.

7 Only unleavened bread should be eaten during these seven days. No sourdough or yeast should be seen anywhere in your territory.

8 On that day tell your children, 'We do this because of what the LORD did for us when we left Egypt.'

9 This [festival] will be [like] a mark on your hand or a reminder on your forehead that the teachings of the LORD are [always] to be a part of your conversation. Because the LORD used his mighty hand to bring you out of Egypt,

10 you must follow these rules every year at this time.

11 "When the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he swore to you and your ancestors,

12 sacrifice every firstborn male offspring to the LORD. The firstborn male offspring of each of your animals belongs to the LORD.

13 It will cost you a sheep or a goat to buy any firstborn donkey back from the LORD. If you don't buy it back, then you must break the donkey's neck. You must also buy every firstborn son back from the LORD.

14 "In the future when your children ask you what this means, tell them, 'The LORD used his mighty hand to bring us out of slavery in Egypt.

15 When Pharaoh was too stubborn to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn male in Egypt--human and animal. This is why we sacrifice every firstborn male to the LORD and buy every firstborn son back from the LORD.'

16 So this [festival] will be [like] a mark on your hand and [like] a band on your forehead, because the LORD used his mighty hand to bring us out of Egypt."

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God didn't lead them on the road through Philistine territory, although that was the shortest route. God said, "If they see that they have to fight a war, they may change their minds and go back to Egypt."

18 So God led the people around the other way, on the road through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites were ready for battle when they left Egypt.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites solemnly swear to do this. Joseph had said, "God will definitely come to help you. When he does, take my bones with you."

20 They moved from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a column of smoke to lead them on their way. By night he went ahead of them in a column of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or by night.

22 The column of smoke was always in front of the people during the day. The column of fire was always there at night.

Exodus 14

1 Then the LORD said to Moses,

2 "Tell the Israelites to go back and set up their camp facing Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. Set up your camp facing north--by the sea.

3 Pharaoh will think, 'The Israelites are [just] wandering around. The desert is blocking their escape.'

4 I will make Pharaoh so stubborn that he will pursue them. Then, because of what I do to Pharaoh and his entire army, I will receive honor, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So that is what the Israelites did.

5 When Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) was told that the people had fled, he and his officials changed their minds about them. They said, "What have we done? We've lost our slaves because we've let Israel go."

6 So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him.

7 He took 600 of his best chariots as well as all the other chariots in Egypt, placing an officer in each of them.

8 The LORD made Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) so stubborn that he pursued the Israelites, who were boldly leaving Egypt.

9 The Egyptians pursued the Israelites. Pharaoh's army, including all his horse-drawn chariots and cavalry, caught up with them as they were setting up their camp by the sea at Pi Hahiroth facing north.

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw that the Egyptians were coming after them. Terrified, the Israelites cried out to the LORD.

11 They said to Moses, "Did you bring us out into the desert to die because there were no graves in Egypt? Look what you've done by bringing us out of Egypt!

12 Didn't we tell you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone! Let us go on serving the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"

13 Moses answered the people, "Don't be afraid! Stand still, and see what the LORD will do to save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again.

14 The LORD is fighting for you! So be still!"

15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to start moving.

16 Raise your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide the water. Then the Israelites will go through the sea on dry ground.

17 I am making the Egyptians so stubborn that they will follow the Israelites. I will receive honor because of what I will do to Pharaoh, his entire army, his chariots, and cavalry.

18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I am honored for what I did to Pharaoh, his chariots, and his cavalry."

19 The Messenger of God, who had been in front of the Israelites, moved behind them. So the column of smoke moved from in front of the Israelites and stood behind them

20 between the Egyptian camp and the Israelite camp. The [column of] smoke was there when darkness came, and it lit up the night. Neither side came near the other all night long.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. All that night the LORD pushed back the sea with a strong east wind and turned the sea into dry ground. The water divided,

22 and the Israelites went through the middle of the sea on dry ground. The water stood like a wall on their right and on their left.

23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and cavalry followed them into the sea.

24 Just before dawn, the LORD looked down from the column of fire and smoke and threw the Egyptian camp into a panic.

25 He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they could hardly move. Then the Egyptians shouted, "Let's get out of here! The LORD is fighting for Israel! He's against us!"

26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the water will flow back over the Egyptians, their chariots, and their cavalry."

27 Moses stretched his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the water returned to its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea.

28 The water flowed back and covered Pharaoh's entire army, as well as the chariots and the cavalry that had followed Israel into the sea. Not one of them survived.

29 Meanwhile, the Israelites had gone through the sea on dry ground while the water stood like a wall on their right and on their left.

30 That day the LORD saved Israel from the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the seashore.

31 When the Israelites saw the great power the LORD had used against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and believed in him and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 15

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD. He has won a glorious victory. He has thrown horses and their riders into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and my song. He is my Savior. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will honor him.

3 The LORD is a warrior! The LORD is his name.

4 He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea. Pharaoh's best officers were drowned in the Red Sea.

5 The deep water covered them. They sank to the bottom like a rock.

6 Your right hand, O LORD, wins glory because it is strong. Your right hand, O LORD, smashes your enemies.

7 With your unlimited majesty, you destroyed those who attacked you. You sent out your burning anger. It burned them up like straw.

8 With a blast from your nostrils, the water piled up. The waves stood up like a dam. The deep water thickened in the middle of the sea.

9 "The enemy said, 'I'll pursue them! I'll catch up with them! I'll divide the loot! I'll take all I want! I'll use my sword! I'll take all they have!'

10 Your breath blew the sea over them. They sank like lead in the raging water.

11 "Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you? You are glorious because of your holiness and awe-inspiring because of your splendor. You perform miracles.

12 You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them.

13 "Lovingly, you will lead the people you have saved. Powerfully, you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

14 People will hear of it and tremble. The people of Philistia will be in anguish.

15 The tribal leaders of Edom will be terrified. The powerful men of Moab will tremble. The people of Canaan will be deathly afraid.

16 Terror and dread will fall on them. Because of the power of your arm, they will be petrified until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you purchased pass by.

17 You will bring them and plant them on your own mountain, the place where you live, O LORD, the holy place that you built with your own hands, O Lord.

18 The LORD will rule as king forever and ever."

19 When Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and cavalry went into the sea, the LORD made the water of the sea flow back over them. However, the Israelites had gone through the sea on dry ground.

20 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, dancing with tambourines, followed her.

21 Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD. He has won a glorious victory. He has thrown horses and their riders into the sea."

22 Moses led Israel away from the Red Sea into the desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.

23 When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink the water because it tasted bitter. That's why the place was called Marah [Bitter Place].

24 The people complained about Moses by asking, "What are we supposed to drink?"

25 Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD set down laws and rules for them to live by, and there he tested them.

26 He said, "If you will listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what he considers right, if you pay attention to his commands and obey all his laws, I will never make you suffer any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I am the LORD, who heals you."

27 Next, they went to Elim, where there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees. They camped there by the water.

Exodus 16

1 The whole community of Israelites moved from Elim and came to the desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai. This was on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt.

2 In the desert the whole community complained about Moses and Aaron.

3 The Israelites said to them, "If only the LORD had let us die in Egypt! There we sat by our pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted! You brought us out into this desert to let us all starve to death!"

4 The LORD said to Moses, "I'm going to send you food from heaven like rain. Each day the people should go out and gather only what they need for that day. In this way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.

5 But on the sixth day when they prepare what they bring home, it should be twice as much as they gather on other days."

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, "In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt.

7 In the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard you complaining about him. Why are you complaining about us?"

8 Moses also said, "The LORD will give you meat to eat in the evening and all the food you want in the morning. The LORD has heard you complaining about him. Who are we? You're not complaining about us but about the LORD."

9 Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole community of Israelites, 'Come into the LORD's presence. He has heard you complaining.'"

10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole community of Israelites, they looked toward the desert. Suddenly, they saw the glory of the LORD in the [column of] smoke.

11 The LORD said to Moses,

12 "I've heard the Israelites complaining. Tell them, 'At dusk you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat all the food you want. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.'"

13 That evening quails came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

14 When the dew was gone, the ground was covered with a thin layer of flakes like frost on the ground.

15 When the Israelites saw it, they asked each other, "What is this?" because they didn't know what it was. Moses said to them, "It's the food the LORD has given you to eat.

16 This is what the LORD has commanded: Each of you should gather as much as you can eat. Take two quarts for each person in your tent."

17 So that is what the Israelites did. Some gathered more, some less.

18 They measured it into two-quart containers. Those who had gathered more didn't have too much. Those who had gathered less didn't have too little. They gathered as much as they could eat.

19 Then Moses said to them, "No one may keep any of it until morning."

20 But some of them didn't listen to Moses. They kept part of it until morning, and it was full of worms and smelled bad. So Moses was angry with them.

21 Each morning they gathered as much food as they could eat. When the sun was hot, it melted away.

22 But on the sixth day they gathered twice as much food, four quarts per person. All the leaders of the community came to Moses and told him about it.

23 He said to them, "This is what the LORD said: Tomorrow is a day of worship, a holy day of worship dedicated to the LORD. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. Save all that's left over, and keep it until tomorrow morning."

24 So they saved it until the next morning as Moses had commanded, but it didn't smell or have worms in it.

25 "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a day of worship dedicated to the LORD. You won't find anything on the ground today.

26 You can gather food on six days, but on the seventh day, the day of worship, you won't find any."

27 On the seventh day some people went out to gather food, but they didn't find any.

28 The LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to do what I have commanded and instructed you to do?

29 Remember: The LORD has given you this day of worship. That's why he gives you enough food on the sixth day for two days. On the seventh day you may not leave. Everyone, stay where you are."

30 So the people never worked on the seventh day of the week.

31 The Israelites called the food manna. It was like coriander seeds. It was white and tasted like wafers made with honey.

32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: Take two quarts of manna to be kept for your descendants. This way they will see the food that I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt."

33 Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar, put two quarts of manna in it, and put it in the LORD's presence to be kept for your descendants."

34 Aaron put the jar of manna in front of the words of God's promise to be kept there, as the LORD commanded Moses.

35 The Israelites ate manna for 40 years until they came to a place to settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of Canaan.

36 (Now, the standard dry measure at that time held 20 quarts.)

Exodus 17

1 The whole community of Israelites left the desert of Sin and traveled from place to place as the LORD commanded them. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink.

2 So they complained to Moses by saying, "Give us water to drink!" Moses said to them, "Why are you complaining to me? Why are you testing the LORD?"

3 But the people were thirsty for water there. They complained to Moses and asked, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Was it to make us, our children, and our livestock die of thirst?"

4 So Moses cried out to the LORD, "What should I do with these people? They're almost ready to stone me!"

5 The LORD answered Moses, "Bring some of the leaders of Israel with you, and go to where the people can see you. Take the staff you used to strike the Nile River.

6 I'll be standing in front of you there by a rock at Mount Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." Moses did this while the leaders of Israel watched him.

7 He named that place Massah [Testing] and Meribah [Complaining] because the Israelites complained and because they tested the LORD, asking, "Is the LORD with us or not?"

8 The Amalekites fought Israel at Rephidim.

9 Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men. Then fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill. I will hold in my hand the staff God told me to take along."

10 Joshua did as Moses told him and fought the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill.

11 As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel would win, but as soon as he put his hands down, the Amalekites would start to win.

12 Eventually, Moses' hands felt heavy. So Aaron and Hur took a rock, put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron held up one hand, and Hur held up the other. His hands remained steady until sunset.

13 So Joshua defeated the Amalekite army in battle.

14 The LORD said to Moses, "Write this reminder on a scroll, and make sure that Joshua hears it, too: I will completely erase any memory of the Amalekites from the earth."

15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD Is My Banner.

16 He said, "Because a hand was lifted against the LORD's throne, he will be at war against the Amalekites from one generation to the next."

Exodus 18

1 Moses' father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people Israel and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.

2 When Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had taken her in,

3 along with her two sons. The one son was named Gershom [Foreigner], because Moses said, "I was a foreigner living in another country."

4 The name of the other was Eliezer [My God Is a Helper], because he said, "My father's God was my helper. He saved me from Pharaoh's death sentence."

5 Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought Moses' sons and wife to Moses in the desert where he was camped near the mountain of God.

6 Jethro had sent word to Moses, "I'm coming to [visit] you, [and I'm bringing] your wife and her two sons."

7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed with his face touching the ground and kissed Jethro. After they asked each other how they were, they went into the tent.

8 Moses told his father-in-law everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel, all the hardships they had had on the way, and how the LORD had saved them.

9 Jethro was delighted [to hear] about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the Egyptians.

10 He said, "Thank the LORD! He rescued you from the Egyptians and their Pharaoh and rescued these people from the control of the Egyptians,

11 who treated Israel with contempt. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods."

12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the leaders of Israel came to eat the meal with Moses' father-in-law in God's presence.

13 The next day Moses was settling disagreements among the people. The people stood around Moses from morning until evening.

14 When Moses' father-in-law saw everything Moses was doing for the people, he asked, "Why are you doing this for the people? Why do you sit here alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?"

15 Moses answered his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to find out God's will.

16 Whenever they have a disagreement and bring it to me, I decide which person is right, and I tell them God's laws and instructions."

17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you're doing is not good.

18 You and your people will wear yourselves out. This is too much work for you. You can't do it alone!

19 Now listen to me, and I'll give you some advice. May God be with you! You must be the people's representative to God and bring their disagreements to him.

20 You must instruct them in the laws and the teachings, show them how to live, and tell them what to do.

21 "But choose capable men from all the people, men who fear God, men you can trust, men who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of 1,000, or 100, or 50, or 10 people.

22 Let them be the ones who usually settle disagreements among the people. They should bring all important cases to you, but they should settle all minor cases themselves. Make it easier for yourself by letting them help you.

23 If God commands you, and you do this, you will be able to continue your work, and all these people will have their disagreements settled so that they can go home."

24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

25 Moses chose capable men from all the Israelites and put them in charge of groups of 1,000, or 100, or 50, or 10 people.

26 These men were the ones who usually settled disagreements among the people. They would bring difficult cases to Moses, but they settled all minor ones themselves.

27 Moses sent his father-in-law on his way. So Jethro went back to his own country.

Exodus 19

1 Two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they came to the desert of Sinai.

2 Israel had moved from Rephidim and had come into the desert of Sinai. They had set up camp there in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up the mountain to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, "This is what you must say to the descendants of Jacob. Tell the Israelites,

4 'You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to my mountain.

5 If you carefully obey me and are faithful to the terms of my promise, then out of all the nations you will be my own special possession, even though the whole world is mine.

6 You will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.' These are the words you must speak to the Israelites."

7 So Moses went down and called for the leaders of the people. He repeated to them all the words that the LORD had commanded him.

8 All the people answered together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.

9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am coming to you in a storm cloud so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always believe you." Moses told the LORD what the people had said.

10 So the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people, and tell them they have two days to get ready. They must set themselves apart as holy. Have them wash their clothes

11 and be ready by the day after tomorrow. On that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch.

12 Mark off a boundary around the mountain for the people, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even touch it. Those who touch the mountain must be put to death.

13 No one should touch them. They must be stoned or shot with arrows. No matter whether it's an animal or a person, it must not live. The people may go up the mountain [only] when the ram's horn sounds a long blast."

14 After Moses went down the mountain to the people, he had them get ready, and they washed their clothes.

15 Then Moses said to the people, "Be ready two days from now. Don't disqualify yourselves by having sexual intercourse."

16 On the morning of the second day, there was thunder and lightning with a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram's horn [was heard]. All the people in the camp shook with fear.

17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

18 All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the LORD had come down on it in fire. Smoke rose from the mountain like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

19 As the sound of the horn grew louder and louder, Moses was speaking, and the voice of God answered him.

20 The LORD came down on top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up.

21 The LORD said to him, "Go down and warn the people not to force their way through [the boundary] to see the LORD, or many of them will die.

22 Even the priests who are allowed to come near the LORD must set themselves apart as holy, or the LORD will violently kill them."

23 Moses said to the LORD, "The people can't come up Mount Sinai, because you warned us yourself to mark off a boundary around the mountain and consider it holy."

24 The LORD said to him, "Go down, and bring Aaron back with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through the boundary to come up to the LORD, or he will violently kill them."

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Exodus 20

1 Then God spoke all these words:

2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt.

3 "Never have any other god.

4 Never make your own carved idols or statues that represent any creature in the sky, on the earth, or in the water.

5 Never worship them or serve them, because I, the LORD your God, am a God who does not tolerate rivals. I punish children for their parents' sins to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.

6 But I show mercy to thousands of generations of those who love me and obey my commandments.

7 "Never use the name of the LORD your God carelessly. The LORD will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.

8 "Remember the day of worship by observing it as a holy day.

9 You have six days to do all your work.

10 The seventh day is the day of worship dedicated to the LORD your God. You, your sons, your daughters, your male and female slaves, your cattle, and the foreigners living in your city must never do any work [on that day].

11 In six days the LORD made heaven, earth, and the sea, along with everything in them. He didn't work on the seventh day. That's why the LORD blessed the day he stopped his work and set this day apart as holy.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live for a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 "Never murder.

14 "Never commit adultery.

15 "Never steal.

16 "Never lie when you testify about your neighbor.

17 "Never desire to take your neighbor's household away from him. "Never desire to take your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything else that belongs to him."

18 All the people heard the thunder and saw the lightning. They heard the blast of the ram's horn and saw the mountain covered with smoke. So they shook with fear and stood at a distance.

19 Then they said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we'll listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we'll die!"

20 Moses answered the people, "Don't be afraid! God has come only to test you, so that you will be in awe of him and won't sin."

21 The people kept their distance while Moses went closer to the dark cloud where God was.

22 The LORD said to Moses, "This is what you must say to the Israelites: You've seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.

23 Never make any gods of silver or gold for yourselves. Never worship them.

24 "You must build an altar for me made out of dirt. Sacrifice your burnt offerings and your fellowship offerings, your sheep, goats, and cattle on it. Wherever I choose to have my name remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

25 If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.

26 Never use stairs to go up to my altar. Otherwise, people will be able to see under your clothes."

Exodus 21

1 [The LORD continued,] "Here are the legal decisions to be used by the Israelites:

2 "Whenever you buy a Hebrew slave, he will be your slave for six years. In the seventh year he may leave as a free man, without paying for his freedom.

3 If he comes to you by himself, he must leave by himself. If he comes as a married man, his wife may leave with him.

4 If his master gives him a wife and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to the master, and the slave must leave by himself.

5 But if he makes this statement: 'I hereby declare my love for my master, my wife, and my children. I don't want to leave as a free man,'

6 then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to the door or the doorframe and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his slave for life.

7 "Whenever a man sells his daughter into slavery, she will not go free the way male slaves do.

8 If she doesn't please the master who has chosen her as a wife, he must let her be bought back by one of her close relatives. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has treated her unfairly.

9 But if he has chosen her for his son, he must treat her like a daughter.

10 If that son marries another woman, he must not deprive the first wife of food, clothes, or sex.

11 If he doesn't give her these three things, she can go free, without paying any money for her freedom.

12 "Whoever strikes someone and kills him must be put to death.

13 If it wasn't done intentionally, but God let it happen, the killer should flee to a place I will set aside for you.

14 But whenever someone becomes so angry that he plans to kill his neighbor, you must take him away from my altar and put him to death.

15 "Whoever hits his father or mother must be put to death.

16 "Whoever kidnaps another person must be put to death, whether he has sold the kidnapped person or still has him.

17 "Whoever curses his father or mother must be put to death.

18 "This is what you must do whenever men quarrel and one hits the other with a rock or with his fist and injures him so that he has to stay in bed.

19 If the injured man can get up again and walk around outside with a cane, the one who hit him must not be punished. He must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and for all his medical expenses.

20 "Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave with a stick so that the slave dies from the beating, the owner must be punished.

21 But if the slave gets up in a day or two, the owner must not be punished. The slave is his property.

22 "This is what you must do whenever men fight and injure a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely. If there are no other injuries, the offender must pay whatever fine the court allows the woman's husband to demand.

23 If anyone is injured, the offender must pay a life for a life,

24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,

25 a burn for a burn, a bruise for a bruise, a wound for a wound.

26 "Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave in the eye and the slave is blinded, he must let the slave go free to make up for the loss of the eye.

27 If the owner knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free to make up for the loss of the tooth.

28 "Whenever a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat may not be eaten. The bull's owner is free from any liability.

29 But if the bull has had the habit of goring, and the owner has been warned but has not kept it confined, and it kills a man or a woman, then the bull must be stoned and its owner must be put to death, too.

30 However, if only a cash settlement is demanded from the owner, the bull's owner may save his life by paying whatever price is demanded of him.

31 If the bull gores someone's son or daughter, this same ruling applies.

32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, its owner must pay 12 ounces of silver to the slave's master, and the bull must be stoned.

33 "Whenever someone opens up a cistern or digs a new one and doesn't cover it and a bull or a donkey falls into it,

34 the owner of the cistern must make up for the loss. He must pay money to the animal's owner, and then the dead animal will be his.

35 "Whenever one person's bull kills another person's bull, they must sell the live bull and divide the money between them. They must divide the dead bull, too.

36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, and its owner didn't keep it confined, the owner must make up for the loss--bull for bull--and then the dead bull will be his."

Exodus 22

1 [The LORD continued,] "Whenever someone steals a bull or a sheep and butchers it or sells it, he must make up for the loss with five head of cattle to replace the bull or four sheep to replace the sheep.

2 "If anyone catches a thief breaking in and hits him so that he dies, he is not guilty of murder.

3 But if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of murder. "A thief must make up for what he has stolen. If he is unable to do so, he must be sold [as a slave] to pay for what he stole.

4 But if the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether it's a bull, donkey, or a sheep, he must make up for the loss with double the amount.

5 "Whenever someone lets his livestock graze in a field or a vineyard, and they stray and graze in another person's field, he must make up for what the damaged field was expected to produce. But if he lets them ruin the whole field with their grazing, he must make up from his own field for the loss with the best from his field and vineyard.

6 "Whenever a fire starts and spreads into the underbrush so that it burns up stacked or standing grain or ruins a field, the person who started the fire must make up for the loss.

7 "This is what you must do whenever someone gives his neighbor silver or [other] valuables to keep for him, and they are stolen from that person's house: If the thief is caught, he must make up for the loss with double the amount.

8 If the thief is not caught, the owner of the house must be brought to God to find out whether or not he took his neighbor's valuables.

9 If there is a dispute over the ownership of a bull, a donkey, a sheep, an article of clothing, or any [other] lost property which two people claim as their own, both people must bring their case to God. The one whom God declares guilty must make up for his neighbor's loss with double the amount.

10 "This is what you must do whenever someone gives his neighbor a donkey, a bull, a sheep, or any other kind of animal to keep for him, and it dies, is injured, or is captured in war, and there are no witnesses.

11 The case between them must be settled by swearing an oath to the LORD that the neighbor did not take the other person's animal. The owner must accept the oath. The neighbor doesn't have to make up for the loss.

12 But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make up for the owner's loss.

13 If it was killed by a wild animal, he must bring in the dead body as evidence. He doesn't have to make up for an animal that has been killed.

14 "Whenever someone borrows an animal from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, the borrower must make up for the loss.

15 If the owner is with the animal, the borrower doesn't have to make up for the loss. If it is rented, the rental fee covers the loss.

16 "Whenever a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and has sexual intercourse with her, he must pay the bride-price and marry her.

17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount of money equal to the bride-price for virgins.

18 "Never let a witch live.

19 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.

20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god except the LORD must be condemned and destroyed.

21 "Never mistreat or oppress foreigners, because you were foreigners living in Egypt.

22 "Never take advantage of any widow or orphan.

23 If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure that I will hear their cry.

24 I will become angry and have you killed in combat. Then your wives and children will become widows and orphans.

25 "If you lend money to my people--to any poor person among you--never act like a moneylender. Charge no interest.

26 If you take any of your neighbor's clothes as collateral, give it back to him by sunset.

27 It may be the only clothes he has to cover his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will listen because I am compassionate.

28 "Never show disrespect for God or curse a leader of your people.

29 "Never withhold your best wine from me. "You must give me your firstborn son.

30 You must do the same with your cattle and your sheep. They will stay with their mothers seven days, but on the eighth day you must give them to me.

31 "You must be my holy people. Never eat the meat of an animal that has been killed by wild animals out in the countryside. Throw it to the dogs."

Exodus 23

1 [The LORD continued,] "Never spread false rumors. Don't join forces with wicked people by giving false testimony.

2 Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don't side with the majority to pervert justice.

3 Never give special favors to poor people in court.

4 "Whenever you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering loose, be sure to take it back to him.

5 Whenever you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, don't leave it there. Be sure to help him with his animal.

6 "Never deny justice to poor people in court.

7 Avoid telling lies. Don't kill innocent or honest people, because I will never declare guilty people innocent.

8 Never take a bribe, because bribes blind those who can see and deny justice to those who are in the right.

9 "Never oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be foreigners because you were foreigners living in Egypt.

10 "For six years you may plant crops in your fields and harvest them,

11 but in the seventh year you must leave the land unplowed and unused. In that way the poor among your people will have food to eat, and wild animals may eat what the poor people leave. You must do the same with your vineyards and olive groves.

12 "For six days you will do your work, but on the seventh day you must not work. Then your ox and donkey can rest. The slaves born in your household and foreigners will also be refreshed.

13 "Be careful [to do] everything I told you. "Never mention the names of other gods or let them be heard on your lips.

14 "Three times a year you must celebrate a pilgrimage festival in my honor.

15 "Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread: For seven days you must eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, because that was when you left Egypt. No one may come into my presence without an offering.

16 "Celebrate the Festival of the Harvest with the first produce harvested from whatever you plant in your fields. "Celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the year when you harvest your crops from the fields.

17 "These are the three times each year that all your men must come into the presence of the Master, the LORD.

18 "Never offer the blood of a sacrifice to me at the same time you offer anything containing yeast. The fat sacrificed at my festivals should never be left over in the morning.

19 "You must bring the best of the first produce harvested from your soil to the house of the LORD your God. "Never cook a young goat in its mother's milk.

20 "I'm going to send a Messenger in front of you to protect you on your trip and bring you to the place I have prepared.

21 Pay attention to him, and listen to him. Don't defy him, because he will not forgive your disobedience. He is acting on my authority.

22 But if you will listen to him and do everything I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an opponent to your opponents.

23 "My Messenger will go ahead of you and will bring you to [the land of] the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites. I will wipe them out.

24 Never worship or serve their gods or follow their practices. Instead, you must destroy their gods and crush their sacred stones.

25 You must serve the LORD your God, and he will bless your food and water. I will take away all sickness from among you.

26 No woman in your land will miscarry or be unable to have children. I will let you live a normal life span.

27 "I will send my terror ahead of you and throw any nation you meet into a panic. I will make all your enemies flee from you.

28 I will spread panic ahead of you to force the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way.

29 I will not force them out of your way in one year. Otherwise, the land would be deserted, and wild animals would take over.

30 Little by little I will force them out of your way until you have increased enough in number to take possession of the land.

31 "I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Sinai Desert to the Euphrates River. I will put the people living in the land under your control, and you will force them out of your way.

32 Never make a treaty with them and their gods.

33 Never let them live in your land, or they will make you sin against me and trap you into serving their gods."

Exodus 24

1 The LORD said to Moses, "You and Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel's leaders come up the mountain to me and worship at a distance.

2 Moses may come near the LORD, but the others may not. The people must not come along with Moses."

3 Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and legal decisions. Then all the people answered with one voice, "We will do everything the LORD has told us to do."

4 So Moses wrote down all the LORD's words. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and [set up] 12 sacred stones for the 12 tribes of Israel.

5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they sacrificed bulls as burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

6 Moses took half of the blood and put it into bowls, and he threw the other half against the altar.

7 Then he took the Book of the LORD's Promise and read it while the people listened. They said, "We will obey and do everything the LORD has said."

8 Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, "Here is the blood which seals the promise that the LORD has made to you based on everything you have just heard."

9 Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 of Israel's leaders.

10 They saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made out of sapphire as clear and blue as the sky itself.

11 God didn't harm these leaders of the Israelites. So they saw God, and then they ate and drank.

12 The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the teachings and the commandments I have written for the people's instruction."

13 Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.

14 He said to the leaders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Take all your disagreements to them."

15 So Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered it.

16 The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from inside the cloud.

17 To the Israelites, the glory of the LORD looked like a raging fire on top of the mountain.

18 Moses entered the cloud as he went up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.