Exodus 19:1–9

Preparation for Receiving the Covenant at Mount Sinai

19 In the third month after the ⌊Israelites⌋a went out from the land of Egypt, on this day they came to the Sinai desert. 2 They set out from Rephidim, and they came to the desert of Sinai, and they camped in the desert, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain.

3 And Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you will say to the house of Jacob and you will tell the ⌊Israelites⌋,b 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and I brought you to me. 5 And now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be a treasured possession for me out of all the peoples, ⌊for all the earth is mine⌋,c 6 but you, you will belong to me as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the ⌊Israelites⌋.”d

7 And Moses came and called the elders of the people, and he placed before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him. 8 And all the people together answered and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” And Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh. 9 And Yahweh said to Moses, “Look, I am going to come to you in ⌊a thick cloud⌋e in order that the people will hear when I speak with you and will also trust in you forever.” And Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.