Yahweh further rebuked and warned the Israeli people

1Yahweh said to Moses/me, “Leave this place and go with the people whom you led out of Egypt. Go to the land that I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that I would give to their descendants.

2I will send my angel ahead of you all, and I will expel from that land the Canaan, Amor, Heth, Periz, Hiv, and Jebus people-groups.

3You will go to a land that will be very good for raising livestock and growing crops [IDM]. But I will not go with you myself, because if I did that, I might get rid of you while you are traveling, because you are very stubborn [IDM] people.”

4Yahweh said to Moses/me, “Tell the Israeli people, ‘You are very stubborn [IDM]. If I would go with you for even a moment, I would completely ◄get rid of you/wipe you out►. Now take off your jewelry to show that you are sorry for having sinned. Then I will decide how I will punish you (OR, if I should punish you).’” So when Moses/I told to the people what God said, they started to mourn, and they all took off their jewelry.

6After the Israeli people left Sinai Mountain, they did not wear jewelry any more.

7When the Israeli people traveled, whenever they stopped and set up their tents, Moses/I had them set up a tent outside the camp, far from the camp. I called it ‘the Sacred Tent where God and I talk together’. Everyone who wanted Yahweh to decide something for them would go out of the camp to the Sacred Tent.

8Whenever Moses/I went out to the Sacred Tent, all the people would stand at the entrances of their tents and watch him/me until he/I had entered the Sacred Tent.

9When Moses/I entered the Sacred Tent, the tall cloud that looked like a fire would come down and stay at the entrance of the Sacred Tent, and then Yahweh would talk with Moses/me.

10When the people saw the tall cloud at the entrance of the Sacred Tent, they would all prostrate themselves on the ground and worship Yahweh.

11Yahweh would speak to Moses/me directly, like someone speaks to his friend. Then Moses/I would return to the camp. But his/my young helper, Joshua, the son of Nun, stayed in the Sacred Tent.

Yahweh promised to be with his people and to let Moses see his glory

12Moses/I said to Yahweh, “It is true that you have told me, ‘Lead the people to the land that I will show you,’ and you have said that you know me well and that you are pleased with me, but you have not told me whom you will send with me!

13So now, if you are truly pleased with me, I ask you, tell me the things that you intend/plan to do, in order that I will know you better and continue to please you. Also, do not forget that the Israeli people are the people whom you chose to belong to you.”

14Yahweh replied, “I will go with you, and I will give you inner peace.”

15Moses/I replied, “If you do not go with me, do not force us to leave this place.

16The only way that other people will know that you are pleased with me and with your people is if you go with us [RHQ]! ◄If you go with us, that will show that we are different from all the other people on the earth./If you do not go with us, what will show that we are different from all the other people on the earth?►” [RHQ]

17Yahweh replied to Moses/me, “What you have asked is exactly what I will do, because I know you well and I am pleased with you.”

18Then Moses/I said, “Please let me see your glorious presence!”

19Yahweh replied, “I will let you see how great and glorious I am, and I will tell you clearly that my name is Yahweh. I will act very kindly and be merciful to all those whom I choose.

20But you are not allowed to see my face, because anyone who sees my face will ◄die/not continue to stay alive►.

21But look! Here is a place close to me where you can stand on a large rock.

22When my glorious presence comes past you, I will put you in a large crevice/opening in the rock, and I will cover your face with my hand until I have passed by.

23Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but you will not see my face.”