¹⁸ When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet^(G) and saw the mountain in smoke,^(H) they trembled with fear.^(I) They stayed at a distance ¹⁹ and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak^(J) to us or we will die.”^(K)

²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.^(L) God has come to test^(M) you, so that the fear^(N) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”^(O)

²¹ The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness^(P) where God was.

Idols and Altars

²² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:^{(Q) 23} Do not make any gods to be alongside me;^(R) do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.^(S)

²⁴ “‘Make an altar^(T) of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings^(U) and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name^(V) to be honored, I will come to you and bless^(W) you. ²⁵ If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool^(X) on it. ²⁶ And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts^(Y) may be exposed.’

²² These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness;^(F) and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets^(G) and gave them to me.

²³ When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders^(H) came to me. ²⁴ And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us^(I) his glory and his majesty,^(J) and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.^{(K) 25} But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer.^{(L) 26} For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?^{(M) 27} Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says.^(N) Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”^(O)

²⁸ The Lord heard you when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good.^{(P) 29} Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me^(Q) and keep all my commands^(R) always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!^(S)

³⁰ “Go, tell them to return to their tents. ³¹ But you stay here^(T) with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess.”

³² So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you;^(U) do not turn aside to the right or to the left.^{(V) 33} Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you,^(W) so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days^(X) in the land that you will possess.