Exodus 20:22-24

Contemporary English Version

Idols and Altars

²²The Lord told Moses to say to the people of Israel:

With your own eyes you saw me speak to you from heaven. ²³So you must never make idols of silver or gold to worship in place of me.^[a]

²⁴Build an altar out of earth, and offer on it your sacrifices^[b] of sheep, goats, and cattle. Wherever I choose to be worshiped, I will come down to bless you.

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Footnotes

20.23 in place of me: Or “together with me.”
20.24 sacrifices: The Hebrew text mentions two types of sacrifices: Sacrifices to please the Lord (traditionally called “whole burnt offerings”) and sacrifices to ask the Lord's blessing (traditionally called “peace offerings”).

Exodus 32:2-4

Contemporary English Version

²Aaron told them, “Bring me the gold earrings that your wives and sons and daughters are wearing.” ³Everybody took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron, ⁴^(A) then he melted them and made an idol in the shape of a young bull.

All the people said to one another, “This is the god who brought us out of Egypt!”

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