International Standard Version

891/1189

Jonah 2

1 a Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the sea creature.

2 He said: “I called out to the LORD from the midst of affliction directed at me, b and he answered me. From the depths c of death d I cried out for help; and you heard my cry. e

3 You cast me into the deep— into the heart of the sea. Flood waters engulfed me. All your breakers and your waves swirled over me.

4 So I told myself, f ‘I have been driven away from you. g How h will I again gaze on your holy Temple?’

5 Flood waters encompassed me, the deep surrounded me while seaweed wrapped around my head.

6 I sank to the roots of the mountains; the earth’s prison i bars closed j around me forever. Yet you resurrect the dead k from the Pit, l LORD my God!

7 “As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD; and my prayer came to you in your holy Temple.

8 Those who cling to vain idols leave behind the gracious love that could have been theirs. m

9 But as for me, with a voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance n is the LORD’s!”

10 Then the LORD spoke to the sea creature, and it spewed Jonah onto the dry land.