1In the third month after the children of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mountain. 3Moses went up to God, and God called to him out of the mountain, saying, "This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

7Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which God commanded him. 8All the people answered together, and said, "All that God has spoken we will do." Moses reported the words of the people to God. 9The LORD said to Moses, "Look, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

10The LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11and be ready against the third day; for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, 'Be careful that you do not go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.' When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain." 14Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15He said to the people, "Be ready by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with a woman."

16It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

18And Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because God descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice. 20The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. The LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21God said to Moses, "Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to God to look, and many of them perish. 22Let the priests also, who come near to God, sanctify themselves, or the LORD will break out against them." 23Moses said to God, "The people can't come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.'" 24The LORD said to him, "Go down and you shall bring Aaron up with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break forth on them." 25So Moses went down to the people, and told them.