¹⁸The people saw the thunder and lightning. They heard the trumpet. They saw the mountain covered with smoke. They trembled with fear and stayed a long way off.

¹⁹They said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself. Then we’ll listen. But don’t let God speak to us. If he does, we’ll die.”

²⁰Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. God has come to put you to the test. He wants you to have respect for him. That will keep you from sinning.”

²¹Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. But the people remained a long way off.

Worshiping the Lord

²²Then the Lord said to Moses, “Here is what you must tell the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘You have seen for yourselves what I said to you from heaven. ²³Do not put any other gods in place of me. Do not make silver or gold statues of them for yourselves.

²⁴“ ‘Make an altar out of dirt for me. Sacrifice your burnt offerings and friendship offerings on it. Sacrifice your sheep, goats and cattle on it. I will come to you and bless you everywhere I cause my name to be honored.

²⁵“ ‘If you make an altar out of stones in honor of me, do not build it with blocks of stone. You will make it “unclean” if you use a tool on it.

²⁶“ ‘Do not walk up steps to my altar. If you do, someone might see your naked body under your robes.’

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