28. The people from the tribe of Levi obeyed Moses. That day about 3000 of the people died.
29. Then Moses said, “Take your role today as special servants of the Lord because you were willing to fight against even your own sons and brothers. You will receive a blessing for this.”
30. The next morning Moses told the people, “You have committed a terrible sin! But now I will go up to the Lord, and maybe I can do something so that he will forgive you for your sin.”
31. So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Please listen! These people committed a terrible sin and made a god from gold.
32. Now, forgive them of this sin. If you will not forgive them, then erase my name from your book.”
33. But the Lord said to Moses, “The only people I erase from my book are those who sin against me.
34. So now, go down and lead the people where I tell you to go. My angel will go before you and lead you. When the time comes to punish those who sinned, they will be punished.”