Exodus 20:21
The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
In context
18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
22 And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. 24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.
Compare in other versions
- KJV King James Version
— Exodus 20:21 in the KJV
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
- NIV New International Version
— Exodus 20:21 in the NIV
The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.