Jonah Cast Into the Sea and Swallowed by a Big Fish: Jonah 1:11-17, 2:1-10

Jonah Cast Into the Sea and Swallowed

(Jonah 1:11-17)

11 Then said they to him, What shall we do to you, that the sea may be calm to us? for the sea worked, and was tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm to you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is on you. 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea worked, and was tempestuous against them. 14 Why they cried to the LORD, and said, We beseech you, O LORD, we beseech you, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood: for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.

15 So they look up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD, and made vows.

17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah’s Prayer

(Jonah 2:1-10)

1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,

2 And said, I cried by reason of my affliction to the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and you heard my voice.

3 For you had cast me into the deep, in the middle of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all your billows and your waves passed over me.

4 Then I said, I am cast out of your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.

5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet have you brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in to you, into your holy temple.

8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

9 But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land.