1In the third month after the people of Israel left Egypt, on that very day they arrived at the Sinai wilderness.
2They traveled from Rephidim and arrived at the Sinai wilderness, where they set up camp. There, Israel camped in front of the mountain.
3Moses went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, “Tell the family of Jacob and the people of Israel this:
4‘You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you safely, as if on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself.
5Now, if you truly obey me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special treasure among all the nations, because the whole earth belongs to me.
6You will be a kingdom of priests for me, and a holy nation.’ These are the words you must speak to the people of Israel.”
7Moses came down and called the elders of the people, and he told them everything Yahweh had commanded him.
8All the people answered together, “We will do everything Yahweh has said.” Moses then reported the people’s response to Yahweh.
9Yahweh said to Moses, “Listen, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will trust you forever.” Moses told Yahweh what the people had said.
10Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people, set them apart as holy today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothes.
11They must be ready by the third day, because on the third day Yahweh will come down on Mount Sinai in plain sight of all the people.
12You must set boundaries for the people all around the mountain. Tell them, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or even touch its edge. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.
13No one is to lay a hand on them; instead, they must be stoned or shot with arrows. Whether animal or human, they must not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, then they may go up on the mountain.”
14Moses went down from the mountain to the people and set them apart as holy; then they washed their clothes.
15He told the people, “Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations.”
16On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. All the people in the camp trembled.
17Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the bottom of the mountain.
18All of Mount Sinai was smoking because Yahweh came down on it in fire. Its smoke rose up like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently.
19As the trumpet blast grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him with a voice.
20Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the very top. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
21Yahweh told Moses, "Go down and warn the people. Tell them not to push through to try to see Yahweh, or many of them will die.
22The priests, who are allowed to come near to Yahweh, must also prepare themselves, otherwise, Yahweh will break out against them."
23Moses said to Yahweh, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, because you warned us. You told us to set boundaries around the mountain and to set it apart as holy."
24Yahweh said to him, "Go down! Afterwards, bring Aaron up with you. But do not let the priests and the people push through to come up to Yahweh, or he will break out against them."
25So Moses went down to the people and told them.