Exodus 32:21-34

21Then Moses asked Aaron, “What did these people do to you that you have led them into such a grave sin?”

22“Don’t be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil.

23They said to me, ‘Make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt — we don’t know what has happened to him!’

24So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!”

25Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them get out of control, making them a laughingstock to their enemies.

26And Moses stood at the camp’s entrance and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.

27He told them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every man fasten his sword to his side; go back and forth through the camp from entrance to entrance, and each of you kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’”

28The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand men fell dead that day among the people.

29Afterward Moses said, “Today you have been dedicated to the Lord, since each man went against his son and his brother. Therefore you have brought a blessing on yourselves today.”

30The following day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I will be able to atone for your sin.”

31So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves.

32Now if you would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book you have written.”

33The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will erase from my book.

34Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, my angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin.”