Now the wordof the LORDcameuntoJonahthe sonof Amittai, saying, Arise, gotoNineveh, that greatcity, and cryagainstit; fortheir wickednessis come upbeforeme. But Jonahrose upto fleeunto Tarshishfrom the presenceof the LORD, and went downto Joppa; and he founda shipgoingto Tarshish: so he paidthe farethereof, and went downinto it, to gowiththem unto Tarshishfrom the presenceof the LORD. But the LORDsent outa greatwindintothe sea, and there wasa mightytempestin the sea, so that the shipwas liketo be broken. Then the marinerswere afraid, and criedevery manuntohis god, and cast forththe waresthat were in the shipintothe sea, to lighten it ofthem. But Jonahwas gone downintothe sidesof the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmastercametohim, and saidunto him, Whatmeanest thou, O sleeper? arise, calluponthy God, if so bethat Godwill thinkupon us, that we perishnot. And they saidevery onetohis fellow, Come, and let us castlots, that we may knowfor whose causethisevil is upon us. So they castlots, and the lotfelluponJonah. Then saidthey untohim, Tellus, we pray thee, for whose causethisevil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whencecomestthou? what is thy country? and of whatpeople art thou? And he saiduntothem, I am a Hebrew; and Ifearthe LORD, the Godof heaven, whichhath madethe seaand the dry land . Then were the menexceedinglyafraid, and saiduntohim, Whyhast thou donethis? Forthe menknewthathefledfrom the presenceof the LORD, becausehe had toldthem. Then saidthey untohim, Whatshall we dounto thee, that the seamay be calmuntous? forthe seawrought, and was tempestuous. And he saiduntothem, Take me up, and cast me forthintothe sea; so shall the seabe calmuntoyou: forIknowthatfor my sakethisgreattempest is uponyou. Nevertheless the menrowedhard to bring it tothe land; but they couldnot: forthe seawrought, and was tempestuousagainstthem. Wherefore they crieduntothe LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us notperishfor thisman's life, and laynotuponus innocentblood: forthou, O LORD, hast doneasit pleasedthee. So they took upJonah, and cast him forthintothe sea: and the seaceasedfrom her raging. Then the menfearedthe LORDexceedingly, and offereda sacrificeunto the LORD, and madevows. Now the LORDhad prepareda greatfishto swallow upJonah. And Jonahwasin the bellyof the fishthreedaysand threenights.