Jonah 1:1-7

One day YAHWEH revealed to Jonah, Amittai’s son, this message: “Arise! Leave at once for the great city of Nineveh and proclaim judgment against her, for the wickedness of her people is staring me in the face.” But Jonah bolted and ran in the opposite direction, determined to run away from the presence of YAHWEH. He went down to the coastal city of Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. He paid his fare, went down into the hold of the ship, and set sail for Tarshish to flee from the presence of YAHWEH. But YAHWEH unleashed a powerful, violent wind on the sea. The ship was caught in such a great tempest that it was in jeopardy of shattering. The sailors were terrified. Each of them began to call on his own god for help. In order to lighten the ship they hurled the cargo and tackle overboard. Jonah, however, had gone down below and lain down in the hold and was fast asleep. The captain went below and asked Jonah, “How can you be sleeping so soundly at a time like this? Get up! Call on your god! Maybe he will feel sorry for us and not leave us to die.” Then the sailors said to each other, “Come on. Let’s cast lots to find out who is to blame for bringing us this calamity.” They cast lots, and the lot pointed to Jonah.