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19 And now send, gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of the Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at the table of Jezebel.” 20 And Ahab sent for all the sons of Israel, and he gathered together the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people and said, “Until when will you⁺ pass over between the two opinions? If YHWH is God, follow him; but if the Baal, follow him.” And the people did not answer Him a word. 22 And Elijah said to the people, “I am left, a prophet of YHWH, alone. And the prophets of the Baal are four hundred and fifty men. 23 And let them give to us two bulls, and let them choose for themselves one bull, and let them cut it into pieces, and let them set it on the wood, and they will not set a fire. And I will prepare one bull and lay it on the wood, I will not set a fire. 24 And you⁺ call on the name of your⁺ gods, and I will call on the name of YHWH. And the God who answers by the fire, He is God.” And all the people answered and said, “Well spoken.” 25 And Elijah said to the prophets of the Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you⁺ are many. And call on the name of your⁺ god, and do not set a fire.” 26 And they took the bull that was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of the Baal from the morning and until the noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us.” And there was no voice, and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar that they had made. 27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Call out in a louder voice, for he is a god. Either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 And they called out in a loud voice, and they cut themselves according to their custom with the swords and with the spears, until the blood gushed out over them. 29 And when was past the noon they prophesied until the going up of the sacrifice, and there was no voice, and no one answered, and no one paid attention. 1 Kings 18:19-29, Berean Literal Bible. Public domain.
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