God

Yitro Moshe's father-in-law brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aharon came with all the leaders of Isra'el to share the meal before God with Moshe's father-in-law.

Moshe answered his father-in-law, "It's because the people come to me seeking God's guidance.

Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me; I judge between one person and another, and I explain to them God's laws and teachings."

So listen now to what I have to say. I will give you some advice, and God will be with you. You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases to God.

But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

If you do this - and God is directing you to do it - you will be able to endure; and all these people too will arrive at their destination peacefully."

Moshe went up to God, and ADONAI called to him from the mountain: "Here is what you are to say to the household of Ya'akov, to tell the people of Isra'el:

'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine;

and you will be a kingdom of cohanim for me, a nation set apart.'These are the words you are to speak to the people of Isra'el."

Moshe came, summoned the leaders of the people and presented them with all these words which ADONAI had ordered him to say.

All the people answered as one, "Everything ADONAI has said, we will do." Moshe reported the words of the people to ADONAI.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "See, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will be able to hear when I speak with you and also to trust in you forever."Moshe had told ADONAI what the people had said;

so ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go to the people; today and tomorrow separate them for me by having them wash their clothing;

and prepare for the third day. For on the third day, ADONAI will come down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.

Moshe brought the people out of the camp to meet God; they stood near the base of the mountain.

Mount Sinai was enveloped in smoke, because ADONAI descended onto it in fire -its smoke went up like the smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.

As the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke; and God answered him with a voice.

ADONAI came down onto Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; then ADONAI called Moshe to the top of the mountain; and Moshe went up.

ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go down and warn the people not to force their way through to ADONAI to see him; if they do, many of them will perish.

Even the cohanim, who are allowed to approach ADONAI, must keep themselves holy; otherwise, ADONAI may break out against them."

Moshe said to ADONAI, "The people can't come up to Mount Sinai, because you ordered us to set limits around the mountain and separate it."

But ADONAI answered him, "Go, get down! Then come back up, you and Aharon with you. But don't let the cohanim and the people force their way through to come up to ADONAI, or he will break out against them."

Then God said all these words: t

"I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery. c