Jonah.1.1

One day long ago, GOD's Word came to Jonah, Amittai's son:

Jonah.1.1

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:

Jonah.1.1

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

Jonah.1.1

The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:

Jonah.1.2

"Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer."

Jonah.1.2

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

Jonah.1.2

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me."

Jonah.1.2

"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh! Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are."

Jonah.1.3

But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from GOD. He went down to the port of Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish--as far away from GOD as he could get.

Jonah.1.3

But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Jonah.1.3

But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah.1.3

But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction in order to get away from the LORD. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping that by going away to the west he could escape from the LORD.

Jonah.1.4

But GOD sent a huge storm at sea, the waves towering. The ship was about to break into pieces.

Jonah.1.4

Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

Jonah.1.4

But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.

Jonah.1.4

But as the ship was sailing along, suddenly the LORD flung a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to send them to the bottom.

Jonah.1.5

The sailors were terrified. They called out in desperation to their gods. They threw everything they were carrying overboard to lighten the ship. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down into the hold of the ship to take a nap. He was sound asleep.

Jonah.1.5

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Jonah.1.5

Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.

Jonah.1.5

Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. And all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.

Jonah.1.6

The captain came to him and said, "What's this? Sleeping! Get up! Pray to your god! Maybe your god will see we're in trouble and rescue us."

Jonah.1.6

The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."

Jonah.1.6

So the captain came to him, and said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish."

Jonah.1.6

So the captain went down after him. "How can you sleep at a time like this?" he shouted. "Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will have mercy on us and spare our lives."

Jonah.1.7

Then the sailors said to one another, "Let's get to the bottom of this. Let's draw straws to identify the culprit on this ship who's responsible for this disaster." So they drew straws. Jonah got the short straw.

Jonah.1.7

Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

Jonah.1.7

And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

Jonah.1.7

Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, Jonah lost the toss.

Jonah.1.8

Then they grilled him: "Confess. Why this disaster? What is your work? Where do you come from? What country? What family?"

Jonah.1.8

So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"

Jonah.1.8

Then they said to him, "Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?"

Jonah.1.8

"What have you done to bring this awful storm down on us?" they demanded. "Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?"

Jonah.1.9

He told them, "I'm a Hebrew. I worship GOD, the God of heaven who made sea and land."

Jonah.1.9

He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

Jonah.1.9

So he said to them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land."

Jonah.1.9

And Jonah answered, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

Jonah.1.10

At that, the men were frightened, really frightened, and said, "What on earth have you done!" As Jonah talked, the sailors realized that he was running away from GOD.

Jonah.1.10

This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)

Jonah.1.10

Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, "Why have you done this?" For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Jonah.1.10

Then he told them that he was running away from the LORD. The sailors were terrified when they heard this. "Oh, why did you do it?" they groaned.

Jonah.1.11

They said to him, "What are we going to do with you--to get rid of this storm?" By this time the sea was wild, totally out of control.

Jonah.1.11

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"

Jonah.1.11

Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?"--for the sea was growing more tempestuous.

Jonah.1.11

And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, "What should we do to you to stop this storm?"

Jonah.1.12

Jonah said, "Throw me overboard, into the sea. Then the storm will stop. It's all my fault. I'm the cause of the storm. Get rid of me and you'll get rid of the storm."

Jonah.1.12

"Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."

Jonah.1.12

And he said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me."

Jonah.1.12

"Throw me into the sea," Jonah said, "and it will become calm again. For I know that this terrible storm is all my fault."

Jonah.1.13

But no. The men tried rowing back to shore. They made no headway. The storm only got worse and worse, wild and raging.

Jonah.1.13

Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.

Jonah.1.13

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.

Jonah.1.13

Instead, the sailors tried even harder to row the boat ashore. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn't make it.

Jonah.1.14

Then they prayed to GOD, "O GOD Don't let us drown because of this man's life, and don't blame us for his death. You are GOD. Do what you think is best."

Jonah.1.14

Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."

Jonah.1.14

Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, "We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You."

Jonah.1.14

Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah's God. "O LORD," they pleaded, "don't make us die for this man's sin. And don't hold us responsible for his death, because it isn't our fault. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons."

Jonah.1.15

They took Jonah and threw him overboard. Immediately the sea was quieted down.

Jonah.1.15

Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.

Jonah.1.15

So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.

Jonah.1.15

Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!

Jonah.1.16

The sailors were impressed, no longer terrified by the sea, but in awe of GOD. They worshiped GOD, offered a sacrifice, and made vows.

Jonah.1.16

At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.

Jonah.1.16

Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

Jonah.1.16

The sailors were awestruck by the LORD's great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

Jonah.1.17

Then GOD assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish's belly three days and nights.

Jonah.1.17

But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah.1.17

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

Jonah.1.17

Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah.2.1

Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish.

Jonah.2.1

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.

Jonah.2.1

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly.

Jonah.2.1

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish.

Jonah.2.2

He prayed: "In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to GOD. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, "Help!' You heard my cry.

Jonah.2.2

He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Jonah.2.2

And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

Jonah.2.2

He said, "I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the world of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!

Jonah.2.3

You threw me into ocean's depths, into a watery grave, With ocean waves, ocean breakers crashing over me.

Jonah.2.3

You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.

Jonah.2.3

For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.

Jonah.2.3

You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.

Jonah.2.4

I said, "I've been thrown away, thrown out, out of your sight. I'll never again lay eyes on your Holy Temple.'

Jonah.2.4

I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

Jonah.2.4

Then I said, "I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.'

Jonah.2.4

Then I said, `O LORD, you have driven me from your presence. How will I ever again see your holy Temple?'

Jonah.2.5

Ocean gripped me by the throat. The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight. My head was all tangled in seaweed

Jonah.2.5

The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.

Jonah.2.5

The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head.

Jonah.2.5

"I sank beneath the waves, and death was very near. The waters closed in around me, and seaweed wrapped itself around my head.

Jonah.2.6

at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root. I was as far down as a body can go, and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever--Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive, O GOD, my God!

Jonah.2.6

To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.

Jonah.2.6

I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.

Jonah.2.6

I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was locked out of life and imprisoned in the land of the dead. But you, O LORD my God, have snatched me from the yawning jaws of death!

Jonah.2.7

When my life was slipping away, I remembered GOD, And my prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your Holy Temple.

Jonah.2.7

"When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

Jonah.2.7

"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.

Jonah.2.7

"When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.

Jonah.2.8

Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love.

Jonah.2.8

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

Jonah.2.8

"Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.

Jonah.2.8

Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God's mercies.

Jonah.2.9

But I'm worshiping you, GOD, calling out in thanksgiving! And I'll do what I promised I'd do! Salvation belongs to GOD!"

Jonah.2.9

But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD."

Jonah.2.9

But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

Jonah.2.9

But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone."

Jonah.2.10

Then GOD spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.

Jonah.2.10

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

Jonah.2.10

So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Jonah.2.10

Then the LORD ordered the fish to spit up Jonah on the beach, and it did.

Jonah.3.1

Next, GOD spoke to Jonah a second time:

Jonah.3.1

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:

Jonah.3.1

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

Jonah.3.1

Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time:

Jonah.3.2

"Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They're in a bad way and I can't ignore it any longer."

Jonah.3.2

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."

Jonah.3.2

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you."

Jonah.3.2

"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message of judgment I have given you."

Jonah.3.3

This time Jonah started off straight for Nineveh, obeying GOD's orders to the letter. Nineveh was a big city, very big--it took three days to walk across it.

Jonah.3.3

Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city-a visit required three days.

Jonah.3.3

So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent.

Jonah.3.3

This time Jonah obeyed the LORD's command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.

Jonah.3.4

Jonah entered the city, went one day's walk and preached, "In forty days Nineveh will be smashed."

Jonah.3.4

On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."

Jonah.3.4

And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

Jonah.3.4

On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: "Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!"

Jonah.3.5

The people of Nineveh listened, and trusted God. They proclaimed a citywide fast and dressed in burlap to show their repentance. Everyone did it--rich and poor, famous and obscure, leaders and followers.

Jonah.3.5

The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Jonah.3.5

So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.

Jonah.3.5

The people of Nineveh believed God's message, and from the greatest to the least, they decided to go without food and wear sackcloth to show their sorrow.

Jonah.3.6

When the message reached the king of Nineveh, he got up off his throne, threw down his royal robes, dressed in burlap, and sat down in the dirt.

Jonah.3.6

When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.

Jonah.3.6

Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.

Jonah.3.6

When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in sackcloth and sat on a heap of ashes.

Jonah.3.7

Then he issued a public proclamation throughout Nineveh, authorized by him and his leaders: "Not one drop of water, not one bite of food for man, woman, or animal, including your herds and flocks!

Jonah.3.7

Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.

Jonah.3.7

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

Jonah.3.7

Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: "No one, not even the animals, may eat or drink anything at all.

Jonah.3.8

Dress them all, both people and animals, in burlap, and send up a cry for help to God. Everyone must turn around, turn back from an evil life and the violent ways that stain their hands.

Jonah.3.8

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.

Jonah.3.8

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

Jonah.3.8

Everyone is required to wear sackcloth and pray earnestly to God. Everyone must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence.

Jonah.3.9

Who knows? Maybe God will turn around and change his mind about us, quit being angry with us and let us live!"

Jonah.3.9

Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

Jonah.3.9

Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

Jonah.3.9

Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will have pity on us and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us."

Jonah.3.10

God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn't do.

Jonah.3.10

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah.3.10

Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

Jonah.3.10

When God saw that they had put a stop to their evil ways, he had mercy on them and didn't carry out the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah.4.1

Jonah was furious. He lost his temper.

Jonah.4.1

But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.

Jonah.4.1

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.

Jonah.4.1

This change of plans upset Jonah, and he became very angry.

Jonah.4.2

He yelled at GOD, "GOD! I knew it--when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That's why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!

Jonah.4.2

He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Jonah.4.2

So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.

Jonah.4.2

So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you were a gracious and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily you could cancel your plans for destroying these people.

Jonah.4.3

"So, GOD, if you won't kill them, kill me! I'm better off dead!"

Jonah.4.3

Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."

Jonah.4.3

Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!"

Jonah.4.3

Just kill me now, LORD! I'd rather be dead than alive because nothing I predicted is going to happen."

Jonah.4.4

GOD said, "What do you have to be angry about?"

Jonah.4.4

But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"

Jonah.4.4

Then the LORD said, "Is it right for you to be angry?"

Jonah.4.4

The LORD replied, "Is it right for you to be angry about this?"

Jonah.4.5

But Jonah just left. He went out of the city to the east and sat down in a sulk. He put together a makeshift shelter of leafy branches and sat there in the shade to see what would happen to the city.

Jonah.4.5

Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.

Jonah.4.5

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.

Jonah.4.5

Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see if anything would happen to the city.

Jonah.4.6

GOD arranged for a broad-leafed tree to spring up. It grew over Jonah to cool him off and get him out of his angry sulk. Jonah was pleased and enjoyed the shade. Life was looking up.

Jonah.4.6

Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.

Jonah.4.6

And the LORD God 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.

Jonah.4.6

And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah's head, shading him from the sun. This eased some of his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

Jonah.4.7

But then God sent a worm. By dawn of the next day, the worm had bored into the shade tree and it withered away.

Jonah.4.7

But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.

Jonah.4.7

But as morning dawned the next day God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.

Jonah.4.7

But God also prepared a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant, so that it soon died and withered away.

Jonah.4.8

The sun came up and God sent a hot, blistering wind from the east. The sun beat down on Jonah's head and he started to faint. He prayed to die: "I'm better off dead!"

Jonah.4.8

When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live."

Jonah.4.8

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, "It is better for me to die than to live."

Jonah.4.8

And as the sun grew hot, God sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. "Death is certainly better than this!" he exclaimed.

Jonah.4.9

Then God said to Jonah, "What right do you have to get angry about this shade tree?" Jonah said, "Plenty of right. It's made me angry enough to die!"

Jonah.4.9

But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."

Jonah.4.9

Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!"

Jonah.4.9

Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?Yes," Jonah retorted, "even angry enough to die!"

Jonah.4.10

GOD said, "What's this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night.

Jonah.4.10

But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.

Jonah.4.10

But the LORD said, "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.

Jonah.4.10

Then the LORD said, "You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. And a plant is only, at best, short lived.

Jonah.4.11

So, why can't I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than a hundred and twenty thousand childlike people who don't yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?"

Jonah.4.11

But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

Jonah.4.11

And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left--and much livestock?"

Jonah.4.11

But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?"

Rom.2.1

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors.

Rom.2.1

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Rom.2.1

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Rom.2.1

You may be saying, "What terrible people you have been talking about!" But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things.

Rom.2.2

But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done.

Rom.2.2

Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

Rom.2.2

But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

Rom.2.2

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.

Rom.2.3

You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard?

Rom.2.3

So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?

Rom.2.3

And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Rom.2.3

Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too?

Rom.2.4

Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.

Rom.2.4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

Rom.2.4

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Rom.2.4

Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?

Rom.2.5

You're not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it's going to blaze hot and high, God's fiery and righteous judgment.

Rom.2.5

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Rom.2.5

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

Rom.2.5

But no, you won't listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world,

Rom.2.6

Make no mistake: In the end you get what's coming to you--

Rom.2.6

God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

Rom.2.6

who "will render to each one according to his deeds":

Rom.2.6

will judge all people according to what they have done.

Rom.2.7

Real Life for those who work on God's side,

Rom.2.7

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Rom.2.7

eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Rom.2.7

He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.

Rom.2.8

but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire!

Rom.2.8

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Rom.2.8

but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath,

Rom.2.8

But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.

Rom.2.9

If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you're from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended.

Rom.2.9

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

Rom.2.9

tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

Rom.2.9

There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning--for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.

Rom.2.10

But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up.

Rom.2.10

but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Rom.2.10

but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Rom.2.10

But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good--for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.

Rom.2.11

Being a Jew won't give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.

Rom.2.11

For God does not show favoritism.

Rom.2.11

For there is no partiality with God.

Rom.2.11

For God does not show favoritism.

Rom.2.12

If you sin without knowing what you're doing, God takes that into account. But if you sin knowing full well what you're doing, that's a different story entirely.

Rom.2.12

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

Rom.2.12

For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

Rom.2.12

God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they never had God's written law. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the law.

Rom.2.13

Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God.

Rom.2.13

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Rom.2.13

(for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

Rom.2.13

For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight.

Rom.2.14

When outsiders who have never heard of God's law follow it more or less by instinct, they confirm its truth by their obedience.

Rom.2.14

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,

Rom.2.14

for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,

Rom.2.14

Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.

Rom.2.15

They show that God's law is not something alien, imposed on us from without, but woven into the very fabric of our creation. There is something deep within them that echoes God's yes and no, right and wrong.

Rom.2.15

since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

Rom.2.15

who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)

Rom.2.15

They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.

Rom.2.16

Their response to God's yes and no will become public knowledge on the day God makes his final decision about every man and woman. The Message from God that I proclaim through Jesus Christ takes into account all these differences.

Rom.2.16

This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Rom.2.16

in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Rom.2.16

The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message.

Ps.85.1

GOD, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob!

Ps.85.1

You showed favor to your land, O LORD; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

Ps.85.1

LORD, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Ps.85.1

LORD, you have poured out amazing blessings on your land! You have restored the fortunes of Israel.

Ps.85.2

You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people, you put their sins far out of sight.

Ps.85.2

You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Selah

Ps.85.2

You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin.Selah

Ps.85.2

You have forgiven the guilt of your people--yes, you have covered all their sins.

Ps.85.3

You took back your sin-provoked threats, you cooled your hot, righteous anger.

Ps.85.3

You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Ps.85.3

You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.

Ps.85.3

You have withdrawn your fury. You have ended your blazing anger.

Ps.85.4

Help us again, God of our help; don't hold a grudge against us forever.

Ps.85.4

Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.

Ps.85.4

Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.

Ps.85.4

Now turn to us again, O God of our salvation. Put aside your anger against us.

Ps.85.5

You aren't going to keep this up, are you? scowling and angry, year after year?

Ps.85.5

Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

Ps.85.5

Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?

Ps.85.5

Will you be angry with us always? Will you prolong your wrath to distant generations?

Ps.85.6

Why not help us make a fresh start--a resurrection life? Then your people will laugh and sing!

Ps.85.6

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

Ps.85.6

Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

Ps.85.6

Won't you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?

Ps.85.7

Show us how much you love us, GOD! Give us the salvation we need!

Ps.85.7

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.

Ps.85.7

Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.

Ps.85.7

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.