At Mount Sinai

19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypta—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai.b 2 After they set out from Rephidim,c they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.d

3 Then Moses went up to God,e and the Lord calledf to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,g and how I carried you on eagles’ wingsh and brought you to myself.i 5 Now if you obey me fullyj and keep my covenant,k then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.l Although the whole earthm is mine, 6 youa will be for me a kingdom of priestsn and a holy nation.’o These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

7 So Moses went back and summoned the eldersp of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak.q 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.”r So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud,s so that the people will hear me speakingt with you and will always put their trustu in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecratev them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothesw 11 and be ready by the third day,x because on that day the Lord will come downy on Mount Sinaiz in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limitsa for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stonedb or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s hornc sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”d