⁴ while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush,^(A) sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life;^(B) I am no better than my ancestors.”

Jonah’s Anger at the Lord’s Compassion

4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.^{(A) 2} He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew^(B) that you are a gracious^(C) and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love,^(D) a God who relents^(E) from sending calamity.^{(F) 3} Now, Lord, take away my life,^(G) for it is better for me to die^(H) than to live.”^(I)

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”^(J)

⁹ But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”^(A)

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”