20. Moses answered the people, “Don’t be afraid! God has come only to test you, so that you will be in awe of him and won’t sin.”
21. The people kept their distance while Moses went closer to the dark cloud where God was.
22. The Lord said to Moses, “This is what you must say to the Israelites: You’ve seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23. Never make any gods of silver or gold for yourselves. Never worship them.
24. “You must build an altar for me made out of dirt. Sacrifice your burnt offerings and your fellowship offerings, your sheep, goats, and cattle on it. Wherever I choose to have my name remembered, I will come to you and bless you.
25. If you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.
26. Never use stairs to go up to my altar. Otherwise, people will be able to see under your clothes.”