Exodus 19:1–11

The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai

¹⁹On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. ²They journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.^{* 3}Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the Israelites:^{* 4}‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.^{* 5}Now, therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,^{* 6}but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.”^*

⁷So Moses went, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. ⁸The people all answered as one, “Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.^{* 9}Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, in order that the people may hear when I speak with you and so trust you ever after.”

The People Consecrated

When Moses had told the words of the people to the Lord,^{* 10}the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes^{* 11}and prepare for the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.^*