Exodus 20:18-26

181All the people perceived the 2thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 193Then they said to Moses, “Speak 4to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak 5to us, or we will die.” 20Moses said to the people, “6Do not be afraid; for God has come in order 7to test you, and in order that 8the fear of Him may 9remain with you, so that you may not sin.” 21So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached 10the thick cloud where God was.

22Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘You yourselves have seen that 11I have spoken 12to you from heaven. 2313You shall not make other gods besides Me; 14gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24You shall make 15an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your 16burnt offerings and your 17peace offerings, 18your sheep and your oxen; in every place 19where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25If you make an altar of stone for Me, 20you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that 21your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’