Reread your linked portion of page 42. "Thus, Socrates refutes the charge that he does not worship the gods of the state (i.e., is an atheist, according to Mele

Reread your linked portion of page 42. "Thus, Socrates refutes the charge that he does not worship the gods of the state (i.e., is an atheist, according to Meletus), by showing that it contradicts the charge that he worships “false” gods, which, of course, are gods of some sort."