Jonah 1:1-6

1The Lord spoke his word to Jonah, son of Amittai. He said,

2“Leave at once for the important city, Nineveh. Announce to the people that I can no longer overlook the wicked things they have done.”

3Jonah immediately tried to run away from the Lord by going to Tarshish. He went to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid for the trip and went on board. He wanted to go to Tarshish to get away from the Lord.

4The Lord sent a violent wind over the sea. The storm was so powerful that the ship was in danger of breaking up.

5The sailors were afraid, and they cried to their gods for help. They began to throw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship’s load. Now, Jonah had gone below deck and was lying there sound asleep.

6The captain of the ship went to him and asked, “How can you sleep? Get up, and pray to your God. Maybe he will notice us, and we won’t die.”