²⁶ And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.

² You know that ^(A)when you were pagans ^(B)you were led astray to ^(C)mute idols, however you were led.

⁴ Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ^(A)“an idol has no real existence,” and that ^(B)“there is no God but one.”

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as ^(A)the Gentiles do, for ^(B)they think that they will be heard ^(C)for their many words.

¹⁹ What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that ^(A)an idol is anything? ²⁰ No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice ^(B)they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.

²³ but you have lifted up yourself against ^(A)the Lord of heaven. And ^(B)the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. ^(C)And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, ^(D)but the God in whose hand is your breath, and ^(E)whose are all your ways, ^(F)you have not honored.