18 All of the people could hear and see the thunder and the lightning, the sound of the horn, and the mountain smoking. They trembled when they saw it, and they remained standing at a distance.[ref] 19 They begged Mosheh, “You be the one to speak to us, and we’ll listen, but don’t let God speak directly to us, in case we die.”

20 “Don’t be afraid,” Mosheh responded, “because God has come to test you so that the fear of him will remain with you so that you all won’t disobey him.” 21 So the people stood at a good distance while Mosheh approached toward the thick darkness where God was.