King James Bible
"And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives."
Moses instructs the Israelites to prepare for God's revelation at Mount Sinai, which will occur on the third day. This preparation period emphasizes the momentous nature of the theophany—God's direct appearance requires ritual readiness and sanctification. The command for temporary sexual abstinence was part of the consecration process, reflecting ancient Near Eastern purity practices before encountering the divine. This physical separation symbolized spiritual focus and ritual cleanliness, preparing the people to witness God's awesome presence.