²³ It happened, when you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;

¹⁸ All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance.

¹⁹ They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don't let God speak with us, lest we die."

¹⁸ For you have not come to a mountain that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and to blackness, darkness, tempest,

¹⁹ the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which those who heard it begged that not one more word should be spoken to them,

²⁰ for they could not stand that which was commanded, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned{TR adds "or shot with an arrow" [see Exodus 19:12-13]};"

²¹ and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."