10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried to the Lord, "O Lord, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O Lord, have done as you pleased." 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
17 But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
1 Jonah's Prayer
1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said: 2 "In my distress I called to the Lord, 2 and he answered me. 2 From the depths of the grave[a] I called for help, 2 and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep, 3 into the very heart of the seas, 3 and the currents swirled about me; 3 all your waves and breakers 3 swept over me.
4 I said, 'I have been banished 4 from your sight; 4 yet I will look again 4 toward your holy temple.'
5 The engulfing waters threatened me,[b] 5 the deep surrounded me; 5 seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; 6 the earth beneath barred me in forever. 6 But you brought my life up from the pit, 6 O Lord my God.
7 "When my life was ebbing away, 7 I remembered you, Lord, 7 and my prayer rose to you, 7 to your holy temple.
8 "Those who cling to worthless idols 8 forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, 9 will sacrifice to you. 9 What I have vowed I will make good. 9 Salvation comes from the Lord."
