28. The Levites did as Moses commanded. About 3,000 of the people died that day.
29. Then Moses said to the Levites, "You have been set apart for the Lord today. You stood against your own sons and brothers. And he has blessed you this day."
30. The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin. But now I will go up to the Lord. Maybe if I pray to him, he will forgive your sin."
31. So Moses went back to the Lord. He said, "These people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a god out of gold for themselves.