1-2. The people of Israel left Rephidim, and on the first day of the third month after they had left Egypt they came to the desert of Sinai. There they set up camp at the foot of Mount Sinai,
3. and Moses went up the mountain to meet with God.The Lord called to him from the mountain and told him to say to the Israelites, Jacob's descendants:
4. “You saw what I, the Lord, did to the Egyptians and how I carried you as an eagle carries her young on her wings, and brought you here to me.
5. Now, if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own people. The whole earth is mine, but you will be my chosen people,
6. a people dedicated to me alone, and you will serve me as priests.”
7. So Moses went down and called the leaders of the people together and told them everything that the Lord had commanded him.
8. Then all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the Lord has said,” and Moses reported this to the Lord.
9. The Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will believe you from now on.”Moses told the Lord what the people had answered,
10. and the Lord said to him, “Go to the people and tell them to spend today and tomorrow purifying themselves for worship. They must wash their clothes
11. and be ready the day after tomorrow. On that day I will come down on Mount Sinai, where all the people can see me.
12. Mark a boundary round the mountain that the people must not cross, and tell them not to go up the mountain or even get near it. If anyone sets foot on it, he is to be put to death;
13. he must either be stoned or shot with arrows, without anyone touching him. This applies to both men and animals; they must be put to death. But when the trumpet is blown, then the people are to go up to the mountain.”
14. Then Moses came down the mountain and told the people to get ready for worship. So they washed their clothes,
15. and Moses said to them, “Be ready by the day after tomorrow and don't have sexual intercourse in the meantime.”