But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do.

But those who paid no attention to the word of the Lord left theirs out in the open.

The Egyptians Pursue Israel

When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked.

Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.

“Next make a medallion of pure gold, and engrave it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord.

These tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself.

When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes.

A New Copy of the Covenant

Then the Lord told Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed.

Finally, they made the sacred medallion—the badge of holiness—of pure gold. They engraved it like a seal with these words: Holy to the lord.