Jonah 2
1 [While he was] inside the huge fish, Jonah prayed to Yahweh God, [whom] he [worshiped. After Yahweh told him that he would answer his prayer, ]
From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God,
2 Jonah said, “Yahweh, when I was greatly distressed [here], I prayed to you, and you heard what I [prayed]. When I was [about to descend way down into] the place where dead people go, you heard me when I called out [for you to help/save me]. (Sheol h7585)
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice. (Sheol h7585)
3 You threw me [down] into the deep [water], into the bottom [DOU] of the sea. The currents of the sea swirled around me, and the huge waves crashed above me.
For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me.
4 Then I thought, ‘You have banished me, and I will never be able to enter your presence again. I will never see your holy temple [in Jerusalem] again!’
At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’
5 The water surrounded me, and threatened to drown me. Seaweed was wrapped around my head.
The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head.
6 I sank down to where the mountains start rising [MET] [from the bottom of the sea]. I thought that forever [it would be as though] my body would be in a prison [MTY] [inside the earth] below me. But you, Yahweh God, whom I [worship], rescued me from going down to the place of the dead.
To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!
7 When I was almost dead [EUP], Yahweh, I (thought about/prayed to) you. You [heard] my prayer, up [there where] you [are, in] your holy temple.
As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.
8 All those who worship worthless idols are rejecting [you], the one who [could] act kindly toward them.
Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.
9 But I will sing to thank [you], and I will offer a sacrifice to you. I will [surely] do what I have solemnly promised [to do]. Yahweh, you are the one who is [able to] save [us].”
But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”
10 Then Yahweh commanded the huge fish to vomit out Jonah, [and the fish did that], and [Jonah was able to get] to the land.
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
