²⁶ So they took the ·bull [ox] that was given to them and prepared it. They ·prayed to [^Lcalled on the name of] Baal from morning until noon, shouting “Baal, answer us!” But there was no ·sound [voice; response], and no one answered. They ·danced [leaped; or limped; ^C“limped” may suggest that Israel had hobbled itself by worshiping both God and Baal] around the altar they had built.

²⁷ At noon Elijah began to ·make fun of [mock; taunt] them. “·Pray [Call; Shout] louder!” he said. “·If Baal really is [Since he is surely] a god, maybe he is ·thinking [preoccupied; daydreaming], or ·busy [has wandered away], or ·traveling [is on a trip/journey]! Maybe he is sleeping so you will have to wake him!” ²⁸ The prophets ·prayed [called; shouted] louder, cutting themselves with swords and ·spears [lances] until their blood flowed, ·which was the way they worshiped [as was their custom; ^Ca ritual performed when they thought Baal had temporarily gone to the underworld].