Jonah’s Anger and God’s Kindness
1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.
2 So he prayed to theLord, and said, “Ah,Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore Ifled previously to Tarshish; for I know that Youareagracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.
3 Therefore now, OLord, please take my life from me, foritisbetter for me to die than to live!”
4 Then theLordsaid, “Isitright for you to be angry?”
5 So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the city.
6 And theLordGod prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.
7 But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and itsodamaged the plant that it withered.
8 And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said,“Itisbetter for me to die than to live.”
9 Then God said to Jonah, “Isitright for you to be angry about the plant?”
And he said, “Itisright for me to be angry, even to death!”
10 But theLordsaid, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.
11 And should I not pity Nineveh,that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand personswho cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?”