[1] While Jonah was in the fish’s stomach, he prayed to the Lord his God. Jonah 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. 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] Salvation comes only from the Lord! “Lord, I will give sacrifices to you, and I will praise and thank you. I will make special promises to you, and I will do the things I promise.”
[10] Then the Lord spoke to the fish. And the fish vomited Jonah out of its stomach onto the dry land.