Moses was with the Israelites in the desert. He was with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai. Moses was with our people of long ago. He received living words to pass on to us.

这人曾在旷野会中和西奈山上，与那对他说话的天使同在，又与我们的祖宗同在，并且领受活泼的圣言传给我们。

这人是那曾在旷野的会众中和西奈山上，与那对他说话的天使同在，又与我们祖宗同在的，他领受了活泼的圣言传给我们。

这人是那曾在旷野的会众中和西奈山上，与那对他说话的天使同在，又与我们祖宗同在的，他领受了活泼的圣言传给我们。

这位摩西曾在旷野与以色列的会众——我们的祖先在一起，又在西奈山上与向他传信息的天使在一起，并且领受了生命之道传给我们。

那曾经在旷野的大会中，和那在西奈山上对他说话的使者同在，也与我们的祖先同在的，就是他。他领受了活的圣言，传给我们。

这个人曾在旷野的会众当中，与那在西奈山对他讲话的天使在一起，又和我们的祖先在一起。他接受了生命的话语，把它传给了我们。

這人曾在曠野會中和西奈山上，與那對他說話的天使同在，又與我們的祖宗同在，並且領受活潑的聖言傳給我們。

這人是那曾在曠野的會眾中和西奈山上，與那對他說話的天使同在，又與我們祖宗同在的，他領受了活潑的聖言傳給我們。

這人是那曾在曠野的會眾中和西奈山上，與那對他說話的天使同在，又與我們祖宗同在的，他領受了活潑的聖言傳給我們。

這位摩西曾在曠野與以色列的會眾——我們的祖先在一起，又在西奈山上與向他傳信息的天使在一起，並且領受了生命之道傳給我們。

那曾經在曠野的大會中，和那在西奈山上對他說話的使者同在，也與我們的祖先同在的，就是他。他領受了活的聖言，傳給我們。

這個人就是跟那在野地裏公會中和西乃山上對他說話的天使在一起、又跟我們的祖宗在一起而作中間人的；他接受了活活的神諭要傳給我們。

這個人曾在曠野的會眾當中，與那在西奈山對他講話的天使在一起，又和我們的祖先在一起。他接受了生命的話語，把它傳給了我們。

斯人嘗於曠野之會中、與在西乃山語之之天使、及我列祖偕在焉、且受維生之詔、以授我儕、

昔於曠野會中、摩西往來天使列祖間、天使於西乃山與語、摩西受生命之道以授我、

當民會在曠野、摩西在會中往來於天使與我列祖間、原文作摩西在會中與天使及我列祖偕此天使在西乃山與摩西言、摩西受生命之道、以授我儕、

昔於曠野集會之中、往來於天神與吾列祖之間、天神與語於西乃山、領受生命之道、而傳之吾人者、即此摩西也。

He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.

This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.

Moses was with our ancestors, the assembly of God’s people in the wilderness, when the angel spoke to him at Mount Sinai. And there Moses received life giving words to pass on to us.

He is the one who was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us.

This is the one who was in the assembly in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him at length on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to you.

“ This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,

This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:

He is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors. He received living oracles to give to us.

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and[ with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

This is the man who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors, and he received living oracles to give to you.

This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us,

By this time you should be teachers. But in fact, you need someone to teach you all over again. You need even the simple truths of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food.

There is great value in every way! First of all, the Jews have been given the very words of God.

The law you received was given by angels. But you haven’t obeyed it.”

If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen.

In the past, God gave us grace through the law of Moses. Now, grace and truth come to us through Jesus Christ.

Then he said to them,“ Think carefully about all the words I have announced to you today. I want you to command your children to be careful to obey all the words of this law.They aren’t just useless words for you. They are your very life. If you obey them, you will live in the land for a long time. It’s the land you are going across the Jordan River to take as your own.”

Then Moses went up to God. The Lord called out to him from the mountain. He said,“ Here is what I want you to say to my people, who belong to Jacob’s family. Tell the Israelites,‘ You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt. You saw how I carried you on the wings of eagles and brought you to myself.Now obey me completely. Keep my covenant. If you do, then out of all the nations you will be my special treasure. The whole earth is mine.But you will be a kingdom of priests to serve me. You will be my holy nation.’ That is what you must tell the Israelites.”So Moses went back. He sent for the elders of the people. He explained to them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.All the people answered together. They said,“ We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.The Lord spoke to Moses. He said,“ I am going to come to you in a thick cloud. The people will hear me speaking with you. They will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.The Lord said to Moses,“ Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart for me. Have them wash their clothes.Have the people ready by the third day. On that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai. Everyone will see it.Put limits for the people around the mountain. Tell them,‘ Be careful that you do not go near the mountain. Do not even touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain must be put to death.Do not lay a hand on any of them. Kill them with stones or shoot them with arrows. Whether they are people or animals, do not let them live.’ They may go near the mountain only when the ram’s horn gives out a long blast.”Moses went down the mountain to the people. After he set them apart for the Lord, they washed their clothes.Then he spoke to the people. He said,“ Get ready for the third day. Don’t have sex.”On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear.Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain.

They learn the law Moses gave us. It belongs to the community of the people of Jacob.

The Lord your God has directed me to teach you his commands, rules and laws. Obey them in the land you will take over when you go across the Jordan River.Then you, your children and their children after them will honor the Lord your God as long as you live. Obey all his rules and commands I’m giving you. If you do, you will enjoy long life.Israel, listen to me. Make sure you obey me. Then things will go well with you. The number of your people will increase greatly in a land that has plenty of milk and honey. That’s what the Lord, the God of your parents, promised you.

Go near and listen to everything the Lord our God says. Then tell us what he tells you. We will listen and obey.”The Lord heard you when you spoke to me. He said to me,“ I have heard what these people said to you. Everything they said was good.But I wish they would always have respect for me in their hearts. I wish they would always obey all my commands. Then things would go well with them and their children forever.“ Go and tell them to return to their tents.But you stay here with me. Then I will give you all my commands, rules and laws. You must teach the people to obey them in the land I am giving them as their very own.”

When they suffered, he suffered with them. He sent his angel to save them. He set them free because he is loving and kind. He lifted them up and carried them. He did it again and again in days long ago.

“ Forty years passed. Then an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush. This happened in the desert near Mount Sinai.

“ Here are the laws you must explain to the people of Israel.“ Suppose you buy a Hebrew servant. He must serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, you must set him free. He does not have to pay anything.If he does not have a wife when he comes, he must go free alone. But if he has a wife when he comes, she must go with him.Suppose his master gives him a wife. And suppose she has sons or daughters by him. Then only the man will go free. The woman and her children will belong to her master.“ But suppose the servant says,‘ I love my master and my wife and children. I don’t want to go free.’Then his master must take him to the judges. His master must take him to the door or doorpost of his master’s house. His master must poke a hole through his servant’s earlobe into the door or doorpost. Then he will become his servant for life.“ Suppose a man sells his daughter as a servant. Then she can’t go free as male servants do.But what if the master who has chosen her does not like her? Then he must let the man buy her back. He has no right to sell her to strangers. He has broken his promise to her.What if he chooses her to marry his son? Then he must grant her the rights of a daughter.What if her master marries another woman? He must still give the first one her food and clothes and sleep with her.If he does not provide her with those three things, she can go free. She does not have to pay anything.

He gave laws to the people of Jacob. He gave Israel their law. He commanded our people who lived before us to teach his laws to their children.Then those born later would know his laws. Even their children yet to come would know them. And they in turn would tell their children.Then they would put their trust in God. They would not forget what he had done. They would obey his commands.They would not be like their people who lived long ago. Those people were stubborn. They refused to obey God. They turned away from him. Their spirits were not faithful to him.The soldiers of Ephraim were armed with bows. But they ran away on the day of battle.

Then why was the law given at all? It was added because of human sin. And it was supposed to control us until the promised Seed had come. The law was given through angels, and a go- between was put in charge of it.

The Holy Spirit gives life. The body means nothing at all. The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit. They give life.

“ You came down on Mount Sinai. From heaven you spoke to our people. You gave them rules and laws. Those laws are right and fair. You gave them orders and commands that are good.You taught them about your holy Sabbath day. You gave them commands, orders and laws. You did it through your servant Moses.

“ This is the same Moses the two men of Israel would not accept. They had said,‘ Who made you ruler and judge?’ But God himself sent Moses to rule the people of Israel and set them free. He spoke to Moses through an angel. The angel had appeared to him in the bush.

I’m calling for the heavens and the earth to be witnesses against you this very day. I’m offering you the choice of life or death. You can choose either blessings or curses. But I want you to choose life. Then you and your children will live.And you will love the Lord your God. You will obey him. You will remain true to him. The Lord is your very life. He will give you many years in the land. He promised to give that land to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The next day the whole community of Israel told Moses and Aaron they weren’t happy with them.“ You have killed the Lord’ s people,” they said.The community gathered together to oppose Moses and Aaron. The people walked toward the tent of meeting. Suddenly the cloud covered it. The glory of the Lord appeared.

But the way to do what God requires must begin by having faith in him. Scripture says,“ Do not say in your heart,‘ Who will go up into heaven?’ ”( Deuteronomy 30:12) That means to go up into heaven and bring Christ down.“ And do not say,‘ Who will go down into the grave?’ ”( Deuteronomy 30:13) That means to bring Christ up from the dead.But what does it say?“ The message is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.”( Deuteronomy 30:14) This means the message about faith that we are preaching.Say with your mouth,“ Jesus is Lord.” Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved.With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say what you believe. And so you are saved.

They said to Moses,“ Speak to us yourself. Then we’ll listen. But don’t let God speak to us. If he does, we’ll die.”Moses said to the people,“ Don’t be afraid. God has come to test you. He wants you to have respect for him. That will keep you from sinning.”

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron. They said to Moses and Aaron,“ You have gone too far! The whole community is holy. Every one in it is holy. And the Lord is with them. So why do you put yourselves above the Lord’ s people?”When Moses heard what they said, he fell with his face to the ground.Then he spoke to Korah and all his followers. He said,“ In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him. He will show who is holy. He’ll bring that person near him. He’ll bring the man he chooses near him.Korah, here’s what you and all your followers must do. Get some shallow cups for burning incense.Tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them. Offer it to the Lord. The man the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”Moses also said to Korah,“ Listen, you Levites!The God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the community of Israel. He has brought you near him to work at the Lord’ s holy tent. He has given you to the people so that you can serve them. Isn’t all that enough for you?He has already brought you and all the other Levites near him. But now you want to be priests too.You and all your followers have joined together against the Lord. Why are you telling Aaron you aren’t happy with him?”Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said,“ We won’t come!You have brought us up out of a land that has plenty of milk and honey. You have brought us here to kill us in this desert. Isn’t that enough? Now do you also want to act as if you were ruling over us?Besides, you haven’t brought us into a land that has plenty of milk and honey. You haven’t given us fields and vineyards of our own. Do you want to treat these men like slaves? No! We won’t come!”Then Moses became very angry. He said to the Lord,“ Don’t accept their offering. I haven’t taken even a donkey from them. In fact, I haven’t done anything wrong to any of them.”Moses said to Korah,“ You and all your followers must stand in front of the Lord tomorrow. You must appear there along with Aaron.Each man must get his shallow cup. He must put incense in it. There will be a total of 250 incense cups. Each man must bring his cup to the Lord. You and Aaron must also bring your cups.”So each of them got his cup. He put burning coals and incense in it. All the men came with Moses and Aaron. They stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting.Korah gathered all his followers together at the entrance to the tent. They opposed Moses and Aaron. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to the whole community.The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,“ Separate yourselves from these people. Then I can put an end to all of them at once.”But Moses and Aaron fell with their faces to the ground. They cried out,“ God, you are the God who gives life and breath to all living things. Will you be angry with the whole community when only one man sins?”Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said,“ Tell the community,‘ Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’ ”Moses got up. He went to Dathan and Abiram. The elders of Israel followed him.Moses warned the community. He said,“ Move away from the tents of these evil men! Don’t touch anything that belongs to them. If you do, the Lord will sweep you away because of all their sins.”So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had already come out. They were standing at the entrances to their tents. Their wives, children and little ones were standing there with them.Then Moses said,“ What is about to happen wasn’t my idea. The Lord has sent me to do everything I’m doing. Here is how you will know I’m telling you the truth.These men won’t die a natural death. Something will happen to them that doesn’t usually happen to people. If what I’m telling you doesn’t happen, then you will know that the Lord hasn’t sent me.But the Lord will make something totally new happen. The ground will open its mouth and swallow them up. It will swallow up everything that belongs to them. They will be buried alive. When that happens, you will know that these men have disrespected the Lord.”As soon as Moses finished saying all these words, what he had said came true. The ground under them broke open.It opened its mouth. It swallowed up those men. In fact, it swallowed up everyone who lived in their houses. It swallowed all Korah’s men. And it swallowed up everything they owned.They went down into the grave alive. Everything they owned went down with them. The ground closed over them and they died. And so they disappeared from the community.All the Israelites around them heard their cries. They ran away from them. They shouted,“ The ground is going to swallow us up too!”Then the Lord sent down fire. It burned up the 250 men offering the incense.

They are the people of Israel. They have been adopted as God’s children. God’s glory belongs to them. So do the covenants. They received the law. They were taught to worship in the temple. They were given the promises.

Even the message God spoke through angels had to be obeyed. Every time people broke the Law, they were punished. Every time they didn’t obey, they were punished.

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart.