26 So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound;z no one answered. Then they dancedC around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, “Shout loudly, for he’s a god! Maybe he’s thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away;D or maybe he’s on the road. Perhaps he’s sleeping and will wake up!”aa 28 They shouted loudly, and cut themselvesab with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them. 29 All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice,a but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention.b