Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Then they said to him, Now make clear to us what is your work, and where you come from? what is your country, and who are your people?

Then cried they unto Yahweh, and said, Ah now, Yahweh, pray let it not be that we perish for this man's life, neither lay upon us innocent blood, - for, thou, O Yahweh, as thou hast pleased, hast ever done.

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,

So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

Now Nineveh was a very large city, requiring a three-day journey to cross through it. As Jonah started into the city on the first day's journey, he proclaimed the message, "40 days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!"

So he prayed unto Yahweh, and said - Ah now! Yahweh! Was not, this, my word, while I was yet upon mine own soil? For this cause, did I hasten to flee unto Tarshish, - because I knew that, thou, art a GOD of favour and compassion, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and art grieved over calamity.

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

Now Yahweh God appointed a gourd, and caused it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his vexation, - and Jonah rejoiced over the gourd, with great rejoicing.