Exodus 20:20-23

The Ten Commandments

20 y Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to z 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 a 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 b talked with you from heaven. 23 c You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 12:20
    And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 22:1
    After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I.
    Deuteronomy 13:3
    You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
  3. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:11
    And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom.
    2 Samuel 22:10
    He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
    1 Kings 8:12
    Then Solomon said, "The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
    Psalms 18:9
    He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
    Psalms 97:2
    Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
  4. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:36
    Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.
    Nehemiah 9:13
    You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments.
    Hebrews 12:25
    See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 32:31
    So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold.
    2 Kings 17:33
    So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away.
    Ezekiel 20:39
    As for you, O house of Israel, thus says the Lord God : Go serve every one of you his idols, now and hereafter, if you will not listen to me; but my holy name you shall no more profane with your gifts and your idols.
    Zephaniah 1:5
    Those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.