4. ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and I brought you to me.
5. And now if you will carefully listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be a treasured possession for me out of all the peoples, for all the earth is mine,
6. but you, you will belong to me as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you will speak to the Israelites.”
7. And Moses came and called the elders of the people, and he placed before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him.
8. And all the people together answered and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” And Moses brought back the words of the people to Yahweh.
9. And Yahweh said to Moses, “Look, I am going to come to you in a thick cloud in order that the people will hear when I speak with you and will also trust in you forever.” And Moses told the words of the people to Yahweh.
10. And Yahweh said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes,
11. and they must be prepared for the third day, because on the third day, Yahweh will go down on Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.
12. And you must set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Guard yourselves against going up to the mountain and touching its edge. Anyone touching the mountain will certainly be put to death.
13. Not a hand will touch it, because he will certainly be stoned or certainly be shot; whether an animal or a man, he will not live.’ At the blowing of the ram’s horn they may go up to the mountain.”
14. And Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and he consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes.
15. And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day. Do not go near to a woman.”
16. And on the third day, when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain and a very loud ram’s horn sound, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.