Jonah 3:10

8 Furthermore, let both man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and have everyone call out earnestly to God. Let each one turn from his evil ways and from the violence in his hands.

9 Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”

When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.
KJV
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
WEB
God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. God relented of the disaster which he said he would do to them, and he didn’t do it.
ASV
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
DARBY
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that he had said he would do unto them, and he did [it] not.
BLB
And God saw their deeds, that they turned back from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He had said to do to them, and He did not do [it].
ÅB
Da nå Gud så det de gjorde, at de vendte om fra sin onde vei, angret han det onde han hadde sagt han ville gjøre mot dem, og han gjorde det ikke.
OTB
Da Gud så deres gjerninger, hvordan de vendte om fra sine onde veier, angret Han og brakte ikke over dem den ulykken Han hadde truet med.
B1930
Da nu Gud så det de gjorde, at de vendte om fra sin onde vei, angret han det onde han hadde sagt han vilde gjøre mot dem, og han gjorde det ikke.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 18:8

    But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 21:27–29

    When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 32:14

    So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.

    Read in context
  • Amos 7:6

    So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen either,” said the Lord GOD.

    Read in context
  • Luke 15:20

    So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:32

    The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

    Read in context
  • Amos 7:3

    So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 31:18–20

    I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.

    Read in context