[while] I was standingbetweenthe LORDand you at that time,to declareto you the wordof the LORD;for you were afraidbecauseof the fireand did not goup the mountain.He said,
Then the menturnedawayfrom thereand wenttoward Sodom,while Abrahamwas stillstandingbeforethe LORD.
He removedthe highplacesand brokedownthe [sacred] pillarsand cutdownthe Asherah.He also brokein piecesthe bronzeserpentthat Moseshad made,for untilthosedaysthe sonsof Israelburnedincenseto it; and it was calledNehushtan.
Therefore He saidthat He would destroythem, Had not MosesHis chosenone stoodin the breachbeforeHim, To turnawayHis wrathfrom destroying[them].
So it cameabout on the thirdday,when it was morning,that there were thunderand lightningflashesand a thickcloudupon the mountainand a veryloudtrumpetsound,so that allthe peoplewho[were] in the camptrembled.
Then the LORDspoketo Moses,"Godown,warnthe people,sothat they do not breakthroughto the LORDto gaze,and manyof them perish.
So Moseswentdownto the peopleand toldthem.
Their leadershall be one of them, And their rulershall comeforthfrom their midst;And I will bringhim nearand he shall approachMe; For whowould dareto riskhis lifeto approachMe?' declaresthe LORD.
He tookhis standbetweenthe deadand the living,so that the plaguewas checked.
Whythe Lawthen?It was addedbecauseof transgressions,having been ordainedthroughangelsby the agencyof a mediator,untilthe seedwould cometo whomthe promise had been made.
Gonearand hearallthat the LORDour Godsays;then speakto us allthat the LORDour Godspeaksto you, and we will hearand do[it].'
For Christdid not entera holy placemade with hands,a [mere] copyof the true one,but into heavenitself,nowto appearin the presenceof Godfor us;