Jonah 4:1-9 ▼

1 Jonah was very upset about this, and he became angry.

2 So he prayed to the LORD, |LORD, isn't this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That's why I tried to run to Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, patient, and always ready to forgive and to reconsider your threats of destruction.

3 So now, LORD, take my life. I'd rather be dead than alive.|

4 The LORD asked, |What right do you have to be angry?|

5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there. He sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.

6 The LORD God made a plant grow up beside Jonah to give him shade and make him more comfortable. Jonah was very happy with the plant.

7 At dawn the next day, God sent a worm to attack the plant so that it withered.

8 When the sun rose, God made a hot east wind blow. The sun beat down on Jonah's head so that he was about to faint. He wanted to die. So he said, |I'd rather be dead than alive.|

9 Then God asked Jonah, |What right do you have to be angry over this plant?| Jonah answered, |I have every right to be angry-so angry that I want to die.|