Jonah 2

1

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.

2

He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave ^[1] I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

3

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

4

I said, `I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

5

The engulfing waters threatened me, ^[2] the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6

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

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 forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

9

But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

10

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

1. [2] Hebrew Sheol
2. [5] Or waters were at my throat