1. The Israelites reached the desert of Sinai in the third month of their trip from Egypt.
2. They had traveled from Rephidim to the Sinai desert. The Israelites camped in the desert near Mount Sinai.
3. Then Moses climbed up the mountain to meet with God. The Lord spoke to him on the mountain and said, “Tell this to the Israelites, the great family of Jacob:
4. ‘You people saw what I did to the people of Egypt. You saw that I carried you out of Egypt like an eagle and brought you here to me.
5. So now I tell you to obey my commands and keep my agreement. So if you do this, you will be my own special people. The whole world belongs to me, but I am choosing you to be my own special people.
6. You will be a special nation—a kingdom of priests.’ Moses, you must tell the Israelites what I have said.”
7. So Moses climbed down the mountain and called the elders of the people together. Moses told the elders everything the Lord had commanded him to tell them.