King James Bible
"And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."
God declares Israel will serve as a priestly kingdom, mediating between Him and other nations. This revolutionary concept means the entire nation, not just a priestly class, would have direct access to God and represent Him to the world. Israel is called to be set apart (holy) from surrounding peoples through their covenant relationship with God. This holiness would manifest through distinctive worship, ethics, and social practices that reflect God's character. Moses receives explicit instruction to communicate this divine vision to the people. This command emphasizes that Israel's special status is not secret knowledge but a public declaration requiring their understanding and consent.