Jonah 2

While he was inside the fish, Jonah prayed to God, the God whom he worshiped.

This is what he said: \* “When I was deeply distressed, I prayed to God {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}. \* 3 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. 4 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.’ \* 5 Water was all around me, close to ending my life; {yes,} deep water surrounded me; seaweed became wrapped around my head. 6 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, God, whom I worship, rescued me from going down to the place of the dead. 7 When I was almost dead, I thought about you, God{, to ask you for help}. And from your holy place where you live, you accepted my prayer. \* 8 Those who worship worthless idols reject you, the one who would always be faithful to them. 9 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. \* God, you are the only One True God who saves people.” \*

Then God commanded the {huge} fish {to spew out Jonah}, and the fish spewed out Jonah onto the land. \*