Jonah 1:12-2:9

12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” 13Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14Then they cried out to the LORD, “Please, LORD, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, LORD, have done as you pleased.” 15Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

16At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. Jonah’s Prayer 17Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

1In Hebrew texts 2:1 is numbered 1:17, and 2:1-10 is numbered 2:2-11. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.

2He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

3You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.

4I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’

5The engulfing waters threatened me, Or waters were at my throat the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.

7“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

8“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

9But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD .’ ”