[1] Jonah was really upset and angry. [2] So he prayed: Our LORD, I knew from the very beginning that you wouldn't destroy Nineveh. That's why I left my own country and headed for Spain. You are a kind and merciful God, and you are very patient. You always show love, and you don't like to punish anyone, not even foreigners. [3] Now let me die! I'd be better off dead. [4] The LORD replied, "What right do you have to be angry?" [5] Jonah then left through the east gate of the city and made a shelter to protect himself from the sun. He sat under the shelter, waiting to see what would happen to Nineveh. [6] The LORD made a vine grow up to shade Jonah's head and protect him from the sun. Jonah was very happy to have the vine, [7] but early the next morning the LORD sent a worm to chew on the vine, and the vine dried up. [8] During the day the LORD sent a scorching wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head, making him feel faint. Jonah was ready to die, and he shouted, "I wish I were dead!" [9] But the LORD asked, "Jonah, do you have the right to be angry about the vine?" "Yes, I do," he answered, "and I'm angry enough to die." [10] But the LORD said: You are concerned about a vine that you did not plant or take care of, a vine that grew up in one night and died the next. [11] In that city of Nineveh there are more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot tell right from wrong, and many cattle are also there. Don't you think I should be concerned about that big city?
