So they criedwith a loudvoiceand cutthemselves according to their customwith swordsand lancesuntilthe bloodgushedout on them.
It cameabout at noon,that Elijahmockedthem and said,"Callout with a loudvoice,for he is a god;eitherhe is occupiedor goneaside,or is on a journey,or perhapshe is asleepand needs to be awakened."
But the restof it he makesinto a god,his gravenimage.He fallsdownbefore it and worships;he also praysto it and says,"Deliverme, for you are my god."
"Baldnesshas comeupon Gaza;Ashkelonhas been ruined.O remnantof their valley,Howlongwill you gashyourself?
You shall not makeany cutsin your bodyfor the deadnormakeany tattoomarkson yourselves: I am the LORD.
Does the LORDtakedelightin thousandsof rams,In tenthousandriversof oil?Shall I presentmy firstborn[for] my rebelliousacts,The fruitof my bodyfor the sinof my soul?
"And one will sayto him, 'Whatare thesewoundsbetweenyour arms?'Then he will say,'[Those] with whichI was woundedin the houseof my friends.'
Constantly,nightand day,he was screamingamongthe tombsand in the mountains,and gashinghimselfwith stones.
"It has oftenthrownhim bothinto the fireand into the waterto destroyhim. But ifYou cando anything,take pityon us and helpus!"
"You are the sonsof the LORDyour God;you shall not cutyourselves norshaveyour foreheadfor the sake of the dead.
