New Revised Standard Version
Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Contemporary English Version
But when Moses went near the thick cloud where God was, the people stayed a long way off.

New American Bible
So the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was.

And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was.

the people

Exodus 19:16,17 And now the third day was come, and the morning appeared: and behold thunders began to be heard, and lightning to flash, and a very thick cloud to cover the mount, and the noise of the trumpet sounded exceeding loud; and the people that was in the camp, feared. . . .

Deuteronomy 5:5 I was the mediator and stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you his words, for you feared the fire, and went not up into the mountain, and he said:

thick

1 Kings 8:12 Then Solomon said: The Lord said that he would dwell in a cloud.

2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon said: The Lord promised that he would dwell in a cloud.

Psalm 18:9,12 He bowed the heavens, and came down, and darkness was under his feet. . . .

Psalm 97:2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

Psalm 104:2 And art clothed with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heaven like a pavilion:

1 Timothy 6:16 Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.