Perhaps they will listen. Maybe they will turn from their evil ways. Then I will not do what I said I would. I will not bring trouble on them. I had planned to punish them because of the evil things they had done.

或者他们肯听从，各人回头离开恶道，使我后悔不将我因他们所行的恶，想要施行的灾祸降与他们。

或者他们肯听从，各人回转离开恶道，我就改变心意，不将我因他们所行的恶、想要施行的灾祸降与他们。

或者他们肯听从，各人回转离开恶道，我就改变心意，不将我因他们所行的恶、想要施行的灾祸降与他们。

或许他们会听从我的话，改邪归正，那样我会施怜悯，取消原本用来惩治他们罪恶的灾祸。

或者他们肯听从，各人转离自己的恶道，我就回心转意，不把我因为他们的恶行原想要施行的灾祸，降给他们。

或者他們肯聽從，各人回頭離開惡道，使我後悔不將我因他們所行的惡，想要施行的災禍降與他們。

或者他們肯聽從，各人回轉離開惡道，我就改變心意，不將我因他們所行的惡、想要施行的災禍降與他們。

或者他們肯聽從，各人回轉離開惡道，我就改變心意，不將我因他們所行的惡、想要施行的災禍降與他們。

或許他們會聽從我的話，改邪歸正，那樣我會施憐憫，取消原本用來懲治他們罪惡的災禍。

或者他們肯聽從，各人轉離自己的惡道，我就回心轉意，不把我因為他們的惡行原想要施行的災禍，降給他們。

或者他們肯聽從，各人回轉、離開各人邪惡的壞行徑，使我改變心意、不將我因他們敗壞之行為想要施行的災禍、降與他們。

彼或聽從、各轉離其惡途、俾我回意、不以我因其惡、所欲施行之災降之、

庶幾聽從、改其惡行、我欲降災、以罰其罪、止而不行。

庶幾彼眾聽從、各舍惡途、則我心回意轉、不降我因其惡行所欲降彼之災、

Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.

It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds.

Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.

Perhaps they will listen and turn— each from his evil way of life— so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.

Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, and I will relent of the disaster which I am planning to inflict on them because of the evil of their deeds.’

Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’

It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Perhaps they will listen and return— each from his evil way of life— so that I might relent concerning the disaster that I plan to do to them because of the evil of their deeds.

If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Maybe they will pay attention and each of them will stop living the evil way they do. If they do that, then I will forgo destroying them as I had intended to do because of the wicked things they have been doing.

It may be they will listen, and every man turn from his evil way; that I may relent from the evil which I intend to do to them because of the evil of their doings.’

Suppose I announce that something will happen to a nation or kingdom. Suppose I announce that it will be pulled up by the roots. And I announce that it will be torn down and destroyed.But suppose the nation I warned turns away from its sins. Then I will not do what I said I would. I will not bring trouble on it as I had planned.But suppose I announce that a nation or kingdom is going to be built up and planted.And then it does what is evil in my eyes. It does not obey me. Then I will think again about the good things I had wanted to do for it.

So wash and make yourselves clean. Get your evil actions out of my sight! Stop doing what is wrong!Learn to do what is right! Treat people fairly. Help those who are treated badly. Stand up in court for children whose fathers have died. And do the same thing for widows.“ Come. Let us settle this matter,” says the Lord.“ Even though your sins are bright red, they will be as white as snow. Even though they are deep red, they will be white like wool.But you have to be willing to change and obey me. If you are, you will eat the good things that grow on the land.

The people of Judah will hear about all the trouble I plan to bring on them. Maybe then each of them will turn from their evil ways. If they do, I will forgive their sins and the evil things they have done.”

But suppose a sinful person turns away from the evil things they have done. And they do what is fair and right. Then they will save their life.They think about all the evil things they have done. And they turn away from them. So you can be sure they will live. They will not die.But the Israelites still say,‘ What the Lord does isn’t fair.’ People of Israel, what I do is always fair. What you do is not.“ So I will judge you Israelites. I will judge each of you in keeping with what you have done,” announces the Lord and King.“ Turn away from your sins! Turn away from all the evil things you have done. Then sin will not bring you down.

When Ahab heard what Elijah had said, he tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. He went without eating. He even slept in his clothes. He went around looking sad.

Let people and animals alike be covered with the clothing of sadness. All of you must call out to God with all your hearts. Stop doing what is evil. Don’t harm others.Who knows? God might take pity on us. He might not be angry with us anymore. Then we won’t die.”God saw what they did. He saw that they stopped doing what was evil. So he took pity on them. He didn’t destroy them as he had said he would.

“ Have you seen how Ahab has made himself humble in my sight? Because he has done that, I will not bring trouble on him while he lives. But I will bring it on his royal house when his son is king.”

He prayed to the Lord. Here is what Jonah said to him.“ Lord, isn’t this exactly what I thought would happen when I was still at home? That is what I tried to prevent by running away to Tarshish. I knew that you are gracious. You are tender and kind. You are slow to get angry. You are full of love. You are a God who takes pity on people. You don’t want to destroy them.

They will hear what the Lord will do to them when his burning anger blazes out against them. Then perhaps they will pray to him. And maybe each of them will turn from their evil ways.”