1 While Jonah was in the stomach of the fish, he prayed to the Lord his God. He said,
2 "I was in very bad trouble. I called to the Lord for help, and he answered me. I was deep in the grave. I cried to you, Lord, and you heard my voice.
3 "You threw me into the sea. Your powerful waves splashed over me. I went down, down into the deep sea. The water was all around me.
4 Then I thought, 'Now I must go where you cannot see me,' but I continued looking to your holy Temple for help.
5 "The seawater closed over me. The water covered my mouth, and I could not breathe. I went down, down into the deep sea. Seaweed wrapped around my head.
6 I was at the bottom of the sea, the place where mountains begin. I thought I was locked in this prison forever, but the Lord my God took me out of my grave. God, you gave me life again!
7 "My soul gave up all hope, but then I remembered the Lord. I prayed to you, and you heard my prayers in your holy Temple.
8 "Some people worship useless idols, but those statues never help them.
9 I will give sacrifices to you, and I will praise and thank you. I will make special promises to you, and I will do what I promise." Salvation only comes from the Lord!
10 Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out of its stomach onto the dry land.