1. And it came to pass after many days, that the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain on the earth.

2. And Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And the famine was intense in Samaria.

3. And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared Yahweh greatly:

4. for it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of Yahweh, that Obadiah took a hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

5. And Ahab said to Obadiah, Go through the land, to all the fountains of water, and to all the brooks: perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we do not lose all the beasts.

6. So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself.

7. And as Obadiah was in the way, look, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Is it you, my lord Elijah?

8. And he answered him, It is I: go, tell your lord, Look, Elijah [is here].

9. And he said, In what have I sinned, that you would deliver your slave into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

10. As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, where my lord has not sent to seek you: and when they said, He is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they didn't find you.

11. And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Look, Elijah [is here].

12. And it will come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, I don't know where the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he can't find you, he will slay me: but I your slave have feared Yahweh from my youth.

13. Wasn't it told to my lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid a hundred men of Yahweh's prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water?

14. And now you say, Go, tell your lord, Look, Elijah [is here]; and he will slay me.

15. And Elijah said, As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.

16. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him; and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17. And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Is it you, you troubler of Israel?

18. And he answered, I haven't troubled Israel; but you, and your father's house, in that you+ have forsaken the commandments of Yahweh, and you have followed the Baalim.

19. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.

20. So Ahab sent to all the sons of Israel, and gathered the prophets together to mount Carmel.

21. And Elijah came near to all the people, and said, How long do you+ go limping between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22. Then Elijah said to the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under.

24. And you+ call on the name of your+ god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh; and the God who answers by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25. And Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose+ one bull for yourselves, and dress it first; for you+ are many; and call on the name of your+ god, but put no fire under.

26. And they took the bull which was given to them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any who answered. And they leaped about the altar which was made.

27. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud; for he is a god: either he is musing, or he has gone aside, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleeps and must be awakened.

28. And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.

29. And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the [evening] oblation; but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any who regarded.

30. And Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me; and all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was thrown down.

31. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, Israel will be your name.