Jonah 4:1-10

Jonah was extremely upset that God would show mercy to Nineveh. Indignant, he fell into a rage. He prayed to YAHWEH and said, “God, I knew this is what would happen even before I left home. For I know that you are a tender, compassionate God, who is extremely patient, rich in faithful love. And I know you are always ready to relent from inflicting disaster. That was why I attempted to flee to Tarshish. So now, YAHWEH, please take my life, for death seems better to me than life.” YAHWEH replied, “What good reason do you have to be so angry?” Then Jonah went out east of Nineveh, where he made himself a makeshift shelter. He sat there under its shade waiting to see what would happen to the city. Now Lord YAHWEH arranged for a gourd plant to grow up over Jonah to provide him shade to rest in and to soothe his sour demeanor. Jonah was thrilled with the plant. But at dawn the next day, God sent a worm to chew through the plant—and it withered. As the sun rose into the sky, God sent a scorching east wind. The wind and blazing sun beat down so hard on Jonah’s head that he was starting to faint. So he begged God to end his life, saying, “I’m better off dead than alive.” God said to Jonah, “Are you right to be so angry about the plant that gave you shade?” He replied, “I have every right to be angry, angry enough to die!” YAHWEH replied, “You are concerned for the vine, which you did not plant, nor did you do anything to make it grow. It sprang up one night and died the next.