Jonah 2 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

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 The Lord commanded the fish to vomit up Jonah on the shore. And it did.