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Exodus 20:18-23
English Standard Version
Exodus 20:18-23
English Standard Version
18 Now when all the people saw (A)the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid[a] and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, (B)“You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 (C)Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to (D)test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the (E)thick darkness where God was.
Laws About Altars
22 And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have (F)talked with you from heaven. 23 (G)You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.
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- Exodus 20:18 Samaritan, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Masoretic Text the people saw
Exodus 20:18-23
New International Version
Exodus 20:18-23
New International Version
18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet(A) and saw the mountain in smoke,(B) they trembled with fear.(C) They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak(D) to us or we will die.”(E)
20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid.(F) God has come to test(G) you, so that the fear(H) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”(I)
21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness(J) where God was.
Idols and Altars
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven:(K) 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me;(L) do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.(M)
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.