25. Aaron had let the people get out of control, and they became an object of ridicule to their enemies. When Moses saw this,
26. he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “If you’re on the Lord’s side, come over here to me!” Then all the Levites gathered around him.
27. He said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Each of you put on your sword. Go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other, and kill your relatives, friends, and neighbors.”
28. The Levites did what Moses told them, and that day about 3,000 people died.
29. Moses said, “Today you are ordained as the Lord’s priests. God gave you a blessing today because each of you fought with your own sons and brothers.”
30. The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a serious sin. Now I will go up the mountain to the Lord. Maybe I will be able to make a payment for your sin and make peace with the Lord for your sin.”
31. So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “These people have committed such a serious sin! They made gods out of gold for themselves.
32. But will you forgive their sin? If not, please wipe me out of the book you have written.”
33. The Lord answered Moses, “I will wipe out of my book whoever sins against me.
34. Now, go! Lead the people to the place I told you about. My Messenger will go ahead of you. But when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
35. So the Lord killed people because they had Aaron make the calf.