24. So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me and I threw it into the fire—and out came this calf!”
25. When Moses saw that the people were unrestrained, because Aaron had let them run wild, to become a joke among their enemies,
26. Moses stood at the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever is on Adonai’s side, let him come to me.” Then all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.
27. He said to them, “This is what Adonai, the God of Israel says, ‘Every man put on his sword, and go to and fro, from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’”
28. So the sons of Levi did as Moses said, and that day from among the people there fell about 3,000 men.
29. Then Moses said, “Consecrate your hands today to Adonai so that He may give you a blessing today, for every man has been against his son and his brother.”
30. So it happened the following day, Moses said to the people, “You have committed a horrendous sin. So now I will go up to Adonai—perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
31. Then Moses returned to Adonai and said, “Alas, these people have sinned greatly, and made gods of gold!
32. Yet now, please forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of Your book that You have written.”
33. Adonai said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.
34. Now go, lead the people to the place that I told you about. My angel will go before you. Nevertheless, on the day when I take account, I will hold them accountable for their sin.”
35. So Adonai struck the people because of what they did with the calf that Aaron had made.