²⁶ So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, ^[a]hear us!” But there was ^(A)no voice; no one answered. Then they ^[b]leaped about the altar which they had made.

² You know ^(A)that^[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these ^(B)dumb^[b] idols, however you were led.

⁴ Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that ^(A)an idol is nothing in the world, ^(B)and that there is no other God but one.

⁷ And when you pray, ^(A)do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. ^(B)For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

¹⁹ What am I saying then? ^(A)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰ Rather, that the things which the Gentiles ^(B)sacrifice ^(C)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.

^23 (A)And you have ^[a]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the ^(B)vessels of ^[b]His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, ^(C)which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand ^(D)and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.