25. When Moses saw that the people were out of control, (for Aaron had let them lose control, causing derision amongst their enemies),
26. then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side, come to me!”All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
27. He said to them, “the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man put his sword on his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and every man kill his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.’”
28. The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. About three thousand men fell of the people that day.
29. Moses said, “Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, for every man was against his son and against his brother, that he may give you a blessing today.”
30. On the next day, Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. Now I will go up to the Lord. Perhaps I shall make atonement for your sin.”
31. Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold.
32. Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.”
33. The Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.
34. Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
35. The Lord struck the people, because of what they did with the calf, which Aaron made.