Jonah’s Prayer 1 UST While he was inside the fish, Jonah prayed to Yahweh, the God whom he worshiped. BSB BSB: From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,
2 UST This is what he said:“When I was deeply distressed, I prayed to Yahweh{ to rescue me}, and he did. Even though I was in the belly{ of a fish} where I thought I would die, yet{ even there} you heard my voice and listened to me{ when I begged for you to help me}. BSB BSB: saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
3 UST You had thrown me into the deep water, into the middle of the sea where the currents swirled around me. All of those terrible waves that you made passed above me. BSB BSB: For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me.
4 UST But as for me, I thought,‘You have thrown me away; you do not care even to look at me; even so I may still see your holy temple again.’ BSB BSB: At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’
5 UST Water was all around me, close to ending my life;{ yes,} deep water surrounded me; seaweed became wrapped around my head. BSB BSB: The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head.
6 UST I went down as far as the place where the mountains start rising from the bottom of the sea; I felt as though the earth was a prison with no possible way for me to escape. But you, Yahweh God, whom I worship, rescued me from going down to the place of the dead. BSB BSB: To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!
7 UST When I was almost dead, I thought about you, Yahweh{, to ask you for help}. And from your holy place where you live, you accepted my prayer. BSB BSB: As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.
8 UST Those who worship worthless idols reject you, the one who would always be faithful to them. BSB BSB: Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.
9 UST But I{ will not do that. Rather}, I will give a sacrifice to you as I loudly thank you. I will do what I have solemnly promised{ you} that I would do. Yahweh, you are the only One True God who saves people.” BSB BSB: But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”
10 UST Then Yahweh commanded the{ huge} fish{ to spew out Jonah}, and the fish spewed out Jonah onto the land. BSB BSB: And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.