2 ^1 [a]From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.² He 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.³ You 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.⁴ I said, ‘I have been banishedfrom your sight;yet I will look againtoward your holy temple.’⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me,^[b]the deep surrounded me;seaweed was wrapped around my head.⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down;the earth beneath barred me in forever.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.⁹ But 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.’”

¹⁰ And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.