²⁵ Then Moses cried out^(A) to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw^(B) it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.^(C)

³⁰ The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin.^(A) But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement^(B) for your sin.”

³¹ So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed!^(C) They have made themselves gods of gold.^{(D) 32} But now, please forgive their sin^(E)—but if not, then blot me^(F) out of the book^(G) you have written.”

³³ The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out^(H) of my book. ³⁴ Now go, lead^(I) the people to the place^(J) I spoke of, and my angel^(K) will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish,^(L) I will punish them for their sin.”