18. Now as all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the blast of the shofar and the mountain smoking, they became afraid and trembled. So they took up a position farther away
19. and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.”
20. Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come only to test you and put the fear of him upon you so you do not sin.”
21. So the people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
22. The Lord said to Moses: This is what you will say to the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23. You shall not make alongside of me gods of silver, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.
24. An altar of earth make for me, and sacrifice upon it your burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be invoked I will come to you and bless you.
25. But if you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it of cut stone, for by putting a chisel to it you profane it.