1-2. The Israelites left Rephidim. Then two months after leaving Egypt, they arrived at the desert near Mount Sinai, where they set up camp at the foot of the mountain.
3. Moses went up the mountain to meet with the Lord God, who told him to say to the people:
4. You saw what I did in Egypt, and you know how I brought you here to me, just as a mighty eagle carries its young.
5. Now if you will faithfully obey me, you will be my very own people. The whole world is mine,
6. but you will be my holy nation and serve me as priests.Moses, that is what you must tell the Israelites.
7. After Moses went back, he reported to the leaders what the Lord had said,
8. and they promised, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” So Moses told the Lord about this.
9. The Lord said to Moses, “I will come to you in a thick cloud and let the people hear me speak to you. Then they will always trust you.” Again Moses reported to the people what the Lord had told him.
10. Once more the Lord spoke to Moses:Go back and tell the people that today and tomorrow they must get themselves ready to meet me. They must wash their clothes
11. and be ready by the day after tomorrow, when I will come down to Mount Sinai, where all of them can see me.
12. Warn the people that they are forbidden to touch any part of the mountain. Anyone who does will be put to death,
13. either with stones or arrows, and no one must touch the body of a person killed in this way. Even an animal that touches this mountain must be put to death. You may go up the mountain only after a signal is given on the trumpet.