The next day Moses said to the people,”You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.”
So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin-but it not, erase my name f rom the record you have written!”
But the Lord said to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Now, go. lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel wil lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.”
Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made. (vv. 30-35, NLT)