5 The people of Nineveh believed in God. They announced a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.*

6 When the news of what was happening reached the king of Nineveh he came down from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 Then the king and the nobles issued a proclamation throughout Nineveh: "No person, no animal, no herd, and no flock, shall eat or drink anything. 8 Every person and every animal is to wear sackcloth. Everyone is to pray sincerely* to God, give up the evil things they do, and stop using violence. 9 Who knows? God may change his mind and relent. He may decide not to destroy us in his fierce anger."

10 God saw what they had done—that they had given up their evil ways—so he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.