1. In the third month after the people of Israel left Egypt, they came to the Sinai Desert on the same day.
2. They had left Rephidim and had come to the Sinai Desert. There Israel set up their tents in front of the mountain.
3. And Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Say this to the house of Jacob and tell the people of Israel:
4. 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.
5. Now then, if you will obey My voice and keep My agreement, you will belong to Me from among all nations. For all the earth is Mine.
6. You will be to Me a nation of religious leaders, a holy nation.' These are the words you will speak to the people of Israel."
7. So Moses came and called the leaders of the people. He told them all these words which the Lord had told him.
8. And all the people answered together and said, "We will do all that the Lord has said!" Then Moses went to tell the Lord what the people had said.
9. The Lord said to Moses, "See, I will come to you in a thick cloud. So the people may hear when I speak with you, and may believe you forever." Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
10. The Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people. Today and tomorrow set them apart to be holy. Have them wash their clothes.
11. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day people will see the Lord come down on Mount Sinai.
12. Let the people know the places all around that they must not pass. Tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up on the mountain or touch any place around it. Whoever touches the mountain will be put to death.
13. No hand will touch him. But he will be killed with stones or arrows. If he be animal or man, he will not live.' When a long sound from a horn is heard, they may come up to the mountain."
14. So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set the people apart to be holy, and they washed their clothes.
15. He said to the people, "Be ready for the third day. Do not go near a woman."
16. On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A cloud covered the mountain, and a very loud horn sounded. All the people among the tents shook with fear.
17. Then Moses brought the people from among the tents to meet God. They stood at the base of the mountain.
18. Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord came down upon it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a stove. And the whole mountain shook.
19. The sound of the horn became louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him with thunder.
20. Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up.
21. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go down and tell the people not to break through to look at the Lord. For then many of them would be destroyed.
22. Have the religious leaders who come near to the Lord set themselves apart to be holy. Or the Lord will go against them."
23. Moses said to the Lord, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai. For You told us, 'Set places around the mountain that must not be passed, and set it apart as holy.' "
24. Then the Lord said to him, "Go down, and then come up with Aaron. But do not let the religious leaders and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will go against them."
25. So Moses went down to the people and told them.