20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel.p 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waverq between two opinions? If the Lordr is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left,s but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.t 23 Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you callu on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord.v The god who answers by firew—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

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

27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”z 28 So they shouted louder and slasheda themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice.b But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.c