1[1] From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.2He said: ‘In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.3You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.4I said, “I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again towards your holy temple.”5The engulfing waters threatened me,[2] the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.6To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in for ever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.7‘When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.8‘Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.9But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” ’10And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah 2
English Standard Version
Jonah’s Prayer
1Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,2saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. (Ps 3:4; Ps 118:5; Ps 120:1; La 3:55; La 3:56)3For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. (Ps 42:7; Ps 88:6)4Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ (1Ki 8:35; 1Ki 8:38; Ps 31:22)5The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head (Ps 69:1; La 3:54)6at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.7When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. (2Ch 30:27)8Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. (2Ki 17:15; Ps 31:6; Jer 2:5; Jer 2:13)9But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” (Ps 3:8; Ps 50:14; Ho 14:2; Heb 13:15)10And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.