Then the LORD said to Moses , “ Leave this place , you and the people - you brought up out of the land of Egypt , (and go) to the land that I promised to Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob when I said , ‘ I will give it to your descendants. ’
And I will send an angel before you , and I will drive out - the Canaanites , Amorites , Hittites , Perizzites , Hivites , and Jebusites.
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you , because you are a stiff-necked ... people ; otherwise , I might destroy you on the way. ”
When the people - heard these bad tidings , they went into mourning , and no one put on any of his jewelry ....
For the LORD had said to Moses , “ Tell ... the Israelites ... , ‘ You are a stiff-necked ... people. If I should go with you for a single moment , I would destroy you. Now take off your jewelry , ... and I will decide what to do
So the Israelites ... - stripped themselves of their jewelry from Mount Horeb (onward).
Now Moses used to take - the tent and pitch ... ... at a distance outside the camp. He called the Tent of Meeting , and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting - outside the camp.
Then , whenever Moses went out to the tent , all the people ... would stand - at the entrances to their (own) tents and watch ... Moses until he entered the tent.
As Moses entered the tent , the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance - , and the LORD would speak with Moses.
When all the people - saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent , they ... would stand up and worship , each one at the entrance to his (own) tent.
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face , as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp , but his young assistant Joshua - son of Nun would not leave vvv the tent.
Then Moses said to the LORD , “ Look , You have been telling me , ... ‘ Lead this people up , ’ - but You have not let me know - whom You will send with me. Yet You have said , ‘ I know you by name , and you have found favor in My sight. ’
Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight , please let me know - Your ways , that I may know You ... and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people. ”
And (the LORD) answered , “ My Presence will go (with you) , and I will give you rest
“ If Your Presence does not go (with us) , ” Moses replied , “ do not lead us up from here.
For how then can it be known ... that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight , unless You go with us ? (How else will) we ... be distinguished from all the other people - on the face of the earth ? ”
So the LORD said to Moses , “ I will do this - very - thing you have asked , for you have found favor in My sight , and I know you by name. ”
Then Moses said , “ Please - show me Your glory. ”
“ I will cause all My goodness to pass before you , ” (the LORD) replied , “ and I will proclaim (My) name — the LORD — in your presence. I will have mercy - on whom I have mercy , and I will have compassion - on whom I have compassion. ”
But He added , “ You cannot ... see - My face , for no one can see (Me) and live. ”
The LORD continued , “ There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock ,
and when My glory passes by , I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand ... until I have passed by.
Then I will take My hand away , - and you will see - My back ; but My face must not be seen. ”