18 When all the people heard the thunder and the sound of the trumpet, and saw the lightning and the smoke from the mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off. 19 "You speak to us, and we’ll listen," they said to Moses. "But don’t let God speak to us, or we’ll die."
20 Moses told them, "Do not be afraid, for God has only come to test you. He wants you to be in awe of him so that you don’t sin." 21 The people stood a long way off as Moses went over to the thick, dark cloud where God was.
22 The Lord told Moses, "This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘You saw for yourselves that I spoke with you from heaven. 23 You must not make any idols of silver or gold to worship in addition to me. 24 Make me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep, goats, and cattle. Wherever I decide to be worshiped, I will come to you and bless you. 25 Now if you make an altar out of stones for me, you must not build it with cut stones, because if you use a chisel to cut the stone, you make it unholy. 26 Also, you must not go up to my altar using steps, so your private parts are not seen.’"