Jonah

¹From 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 breakersswept over me. ⁴I said, “I have been banishedfrom your sight;yet I will look againtowards your holy temple.” ⁵The engulfing waters threatened me,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 idolsturn 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.