14. Leave me alone! I’ll destroy them and wipe their name off the earth. Then I’ll make you into a nation larger and stronger than they are.”
15. So I turned and went down the mountain while it was still burning with fire. I was carrying the two tablets with the promise on them.
16. Then I saw that you had sinned against the Lord your God. You had made a statue of a calf for yourselves. You had quickly turned from the way the Lord commanded you to live.
17. I took the two tablets, threw them down, and smashed them in front of you.
18. Once again I threw myself down in front of the Lord. I went without food and water for 40 days and 40 nights because of the sin you committed. You did what the Lord considered evil and made him furious.
19. I was terrified of the Lord’s anger and fury. He was so angry he wanted to destroy you. But once more the Lord listened to me.
20. The Lord also became very angry with Aaron and wanted to destroy him. But at that time I prayed for Aaron, too.
21. I took that sinful calf you made and burned it. I crushed it, grinding it thoroughly until it was as fine as powder. Then I threw the powder into the river that flowed down the mountain.
22. You also made the Lord angry at Taberah, Massah, and Kibroth Hattaavah.