Simony is the trade in sacred things, such as church offices, bought and sold for gold and silver; the name comes from Simon Magus, to whom the canto is addressed. In the third ditch of Malebolge the simoniacs are stuck head downward in holes of stone, with the soles of their feet in flames, and Dante rebukes them for trading for gold what Christ gave to Peter with a "follow me."
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