Jonah 2

Jonah’s Prayer

1 From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God:

2 When I was in trouble, Lord,

I prayed to you,

and you listened to me.

From deep in the world

of the dead,

I begged for your help,

and you answered my prayer.

3 You threw me down

to the bottom of the sea.

The water was churning

all around;

I was completely covered

by your mighty waves.

4 I thought I was swept away

from your sight,

never again to see

your holy temple.

5 I was almost drowned

by the swirling waters

that surrounded me.

Seaweed had wrapped

around my head.

6 I had sunk down deep

below the mountains

beneath the sea.

I knew that forever,

I would be a prisoner there.

But, you, Lord God,

rescued me from that pit.

7 When my life was slipping away,

I remembered you—

and in your holy temple

you heard my prayer.

8 All who worship worthless idols

turn from the God

who offers them mercy.

9 But with shouts of praise,

I will offer a sacrifice

to you, my Lord.

I will keep my promise,

because you are the one

with power to save.

10 *3 Macc 6.8. The Lord commanded the fish to vomit up Jonah on the shore. And it did.