1. Exactly three months after the Israelites had left Egypt, they reached the Desert of Sinai.
2. When they left Rephidim, they came to the Desert of Sinai and camped in the desert in front of the mountain.
3. Then Moses went up on the mountain to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Say this to the family of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4. ‘Every one of you has seen what I did to the people of Egypt. You saw how I carried you out of Egypt, as if on eagle’s wings. And I brought you here to me.
5. So now if you obey me and keep my agreement, you will be my own possession, chosen from all nations. Even though the whole earth is mine,
6. you will be my kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ You must tell the Israelites these words.”
7. So Moses went down and called the elders of the people together. He told them all the words the Lord had commanded him to say.
8. All the people answered together, “We will do everything he has said.” Then Moses took their answer back to the Lord.
9. And the Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud and speak to you. The people will hear me speaking with you and will always trust you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
10. The Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and have them spend today and tomorrow preparing themselves. They must wash their clothes
11. and be ready by the day after tomorrow. On that day I, the Lord, will come down on Mount Sinai, and all the people will see me.
12. But you must set a limit around the mountain that the people are not to cross. Tell them not to go up on the mountain and not to touch the foot of it. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death