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:^{(A) 23} Do not make any gods to be alongside me;^(B) do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.^(C)

²⁴ “‘Make an altar^(D) of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings^(E) and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name^(F) to be honored, I will come to you and bless^(G) 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^(H) on it. ²⁶ And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts^(I) may be exposed.’

⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt,^(A) have become corrupt.^{(B) 8} They have been quick to turn away^(C) from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol^(D) cast in the shape of a calf.^(E) They have bowed down to it and sacrificed^(F) to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’^(G)