Exodus 20:18–26

¹⁸And all the people saw the thunderings, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off, ¹⁹and said to Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die. ²⁰And Moses said to the people, Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before you, that ye sin not. ²¹And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the obscurity where God was.

²²And Jehovah said to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: Ye have seen that I have spoken with you from the heavens. ²³Ye shall not make beside me gods of silver, and ye shall not make to you gods of gold. ²⁴An altar of earth shalt thou make unto me, and shalt sacrifice on it thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep and thine oxen: in all places where I shall make my name to be remembered, I will come unto thee, and bless thee. ²⁵And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone; for if thou lift up thy sharp tool upon it, thou hast profaned it. ²⁶Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.