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Nevertheless, the men rowed hard, trying to reach the shore. But they couldn't, because the sea kept growing wilder against them.

Finally they cried to Adonai , "Please, Adonai , please! Don't let us perish for causing the death of this man, and don't hold us to account for shedding innocent blood; because you, Adonai , have done what you saw fit."

The word of Adonai came to Yonah the son of Amitai: "Set out for the great city of Ninveh, and proclaim to it that their wickedness has come to my attention." But Yonah, in order to get away from Adonai , prepared to escape to Tarshish. He went down to Yafo, found a ship headed for Tarshish, paid the fare and went aboard, intending to travel with them to Tarshish and get away from Adonai . However, Adonai let loose over the sea a violent wind, which created such stormy conditions that the ship threatened to break to pieces. The sailors were frightened, and each cried out to his god. They threw the cargo overboard to make the ship easier for them to control. Meanwhile, Yonah had gone down below into the hold, where he lay, fast asleep. The ship's captain found him and said to him, "What do you mean by sleeping? Get up! Call on your god! Maybe the god will remember us, and we won't die." Then they said to each other, "Come, let's draw lots to find out who is to blame for this calamity." They drew lots, and Yonah was singled out. They said to him, "Tell us now, why has this calamity come upon us? What work do you do? Where are you from? What is your country? Which is your people?" He answered them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear Adonai , the God of heaven, who made both the sea and the dry land." At this the men grew very afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done?" For the men knew he was trying to get away from Adonai , since he had told them. They asked him, "What should we do to you, so that the sea will be calm for us?" — for the sea was getting rougher all the time. "Pick me up," he told them, "and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you; because I know it's my fault that this terrible storm has come over you." Nevertheless, the men rowed hard, trying to reach the shore. But they couldn't, because the sea kept growing wilder against them. Finally they cried to Adonai , "Please, Adonai , please! Don't let us perish for causing the death of this man, and don't hold us to account for shedding innocent blood; because you, Adonai , have done what you saw fit." Then they picked up Yonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging. Seized with great fear of Adonai , they offered a sacrifice to Adonai and made vows.

All this is because of the crime of Ya‘akov and the sins of the house of Isra'el. What is the crime of Ya‘akov? Isn't it Shomron? And what are the high places of Y'hudah? Aren't they Yerushalayim?

Get up and go! You can't stay here! Because [the land] is now unclean, it will destroy you with a grievous destruction."

Then they will call to Adonai , but he will not answer them; when that time comes, he will hide his face from them, because their deeds were so wicked.

The seers will be put to shame, the diviners will be disgraced. They will have to cover their mouths, because there will be no answer from God.

Therefore, because of you, Tziyon will be plowed under like a field, Yerushalayim will become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the house like a forested height.

I will wreak vengeance in anger and fury on the nations, because they would not listen."

class="poetry"> But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times. Therefore he will give up [Isra'el] only until she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his kinsmen will return to the people of Isra'el. He will stand and feed his flock in the strength of Adonai , in the majesty of the name of Adonai his God; and they will stay put, as he grows great to the very ends of the earth; and this will be peace. If Ashur invades our land, if he overruns our fortresses, we will raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men. They will shepherd the land of Ashur with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will rescue us from Ashur when he invades our land, when he overruns our borders. Then the remnant of Ya‘akov, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from Adonai , like showers on the grass, which doesn't wait for a man or expect anything from mortals. The remnant of Ya‘akov among the nations, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among forest animals, like a young lion among flocks of sheep — if it passes through, tramples and tears to pieces, there is no one to rescue them. Your hand will be raised over your enemies; all your adversaries will be destroyed. "When that day comes," says Adonai , "I will cut off your horses from among you and destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land and lay waste your strongholds. I will cut off sorceries from your land; you will no longer have soothsayers. I will cut off your carved images and standing-stones from among you; no longer will you worship what your own hands have made. I will pull up your sacred poles from among you and destroy your enemies. I will wreak vengeance in anger and fury on the nations, because they would not listen."

"Therefore, I am starting to strike you down, to destroy you because of your sins.

I will endure Adonai 's rage, because I sinned against him; until he pleads my cause and judges in my favor. Then he will bring me out to the light, and I will see his justice.

They will lick the dust like snakes; they will emerge from their fortresses trembling like reptiles that crawl about on the earth; they will come with fear to Adonai our God, afraid because of you.

Who is a God like you, pardoning the sin and overlooking the crimes of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in grace.

Adonai gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless."

This is a prophecy about Ninveh, the book of the vision of Nachum the Elkoshi: Adonai is a jealous and vengeful God. Adonai avenges; he knows how to be angry. Adonai takes vengeance on his foes and stores up wrath for his enemies. Adonai is slow to anger, but great in power; and he does not leave the guilty unpunished. Adonai 's path is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and leaves it dry, he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and the Karmel languish; the flower of the L'vanon withers. The mountains quake before him, and the hills dissolve; the earth collapses in his presence, the world and everyone living in it. Who can withstand his fury? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, the rocks broken to pieces before him. Adonai is good, a stronghold in time of trouble; he takes care of those who take refuge in him. But with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of [Ninveh's] place, and darkness will pursue his enemies. What are you planning against Adonai ? He is making an end [of it]; trouble will not arise a second time. For like men drunk with liquor, they will be burned up like tangled thorns, like straw completely dry. Out of you, [Ninveh,] he came, one who plots evil against Adonai , who counsels wickedness. Here is what Adonai says: "Though they be many and strong, they will be cut down, they will pass; and though I have made you suffer, I will make you suffer no more. Now I will break his yoke from your necks and snap the chains that bind you. Adonai gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless."

For Adonai is restoring the pride of Ya‘akov, along with the pride of Isra'el; because plunderers have plundered them and ravaged their vines.

"Because of the continual whoring of this whore, this alluring mistress of sorcery, who sells nations with her whoring and families with her sorcery;

Therefore Torah is not followed; justice never gets rendered, because the wicked fence in the righteous. This is why justice comes out perverted.

Then they sweep on like the wind, but they become guilty, because they make their strength their god."