²⁶ So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called^(A) on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response;^(B) no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

² You know that when you were pagans,^(A) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.^(B)

⁴ So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”^(B) and that “There is no God but one.”^(C)

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling^(A) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^(B)

¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?^{(A) 20} No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against^(A) the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives^(B) and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand.^(C) But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life^(D) and all your ways.^(E)