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1. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yuēná (Jonah) yào (needed) zǒu ({to walk}) de (’s) lù·chéng (road · journey) shì (was) zěn·me·yàng (how · [so] · [way]) de (’s) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Tā (he) duì (towards) mù·dì·dì (eye · target · land) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) gǎn·jué (feeling · {becoming aware}) ?

Yuēná (Jonah) yào (needed) zǒu ({to walk}) 800 duō ({more than ←}) gōng·lǐ (metric · {Chinese miles})   (→ [kilometres]) (500 duō ({more than ←}) yīng·lǐ (English · {Chinese miles})   (→ [miles]) ) cái ({only then}) néng ({was able}) dàodá ({to reach}) mù·dì·dì (eye · target · land) , zhè (this) zhì·shǎo (most · little)   (→ [at least]) yào (required) huā (spending) yí (one) ge ([mw]) yuè (moon)   (→ [month]) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) tā (he) yǒu (had) chōng·zú (filled · {to be ample}) de (’s) shí·jiān (time · within) hǎohāor ({very well}) sī·kǎo ({to think} · {to examine}) . Shǒu·xiān (first · before) , tā (he) yào (needed) tiāoxuǎn ({to select}) lù·xiàn (route · line) , shì ({would be}) zǒu (walking) yì (one) tiáo ({strip of}) shěng·shí ({would save} · time) de (’s) lù (road) , hái·shi ({still more} · {would be})   (→ [or would be]) zǒu (walking) yì (one) tiáo ({strip of}) ān·quán (safe · whole) de (’s) lù (road) ne? Xuǎn·hǎo ({had selected} · well) lù·xiàn (route · line) hòu ({after ←}) , tā (he) jiù (then) dòng·shēn ({got moving} · body)   (→ [set out on the journey]) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā (he) yuè·guò ({got over} · past) wú·shù (without · number) de (’s) shān·lǐng (mountain · ridges) hé (and) hé·gǔ (river · valleys) , hěn ({very much}) kě·néng (maybe · could) yào ({have needed}) rào·guo ({to go around} · past) Xùlìyà (Syria) de (’s) dà (big) shā·mò (sand · desert) , héng·dù (transversely · {to cross}) dà·dà (big · big) ‐ xiǎo·xiǎo (small · small)   (→ [of all sizes]) de (’s) héchuān (rivers) xī·liú (brooks · streams) , lì·rú (example · like) Yòufālādǐ (Euphrates) Hé (River) . Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) tā (he) céng (had) zài (in) Xùlìyà (Syria) , Měisuǒbùdámǐyà (Mesopotamia) hé (and) Yàshù (Assyria) de (’s) xiāng·zhèn (villages · towns) , zài (in) wài·zú·rén (outside · clans · people’s) jiā (homes) li (inside) jiè·sù ({made use of} · {staying overnight}) . Rì·zi (days · [suf]) yì (one) tiān·tiān (sky · sky)   (→ [day after another]) guò·qu (passed · went) , tā (he) měi ({each time}) tà (stepped) qián (forward) yí (one) bù (step) , lí ({was away from}) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) jiù (then) jìn (close[r]) yí (one) bù (step) . Tā (he) yì (once) xiǎng·dào (thought · {arriving at}) yào (needed) qù ({to go to}) de (’s) nèi (that) zuò ([mw]) chéng (city) , jiù (then) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) hài·pà (feeling · {was afraid}) .

2. Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yuēná (Jonah) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) , tā (he) bù·néng (not · could) zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) táo·bì (escape · avoid) zhí·xíng (grasping · doing) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) rèn·wu (appointed · task) ?

² Yuēná (Jonah) hěn ({very much}) qīngchu ({was clear about}) , tā (he) bù·néng (not · could) zài (again) xiàng (like) shàng (above)   (→ [previous]) cì (time) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , táo·bì (escape · avoid) zhí·xíng (grasping · doing) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) rèn·wu (appointed · task) le ([indicates a change]) . Wǒmen ([we]) zài (in) qián (preceding) yì (one) zhāng (chapter) dú·dào (read · {arriving at}) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) nài·xīn (enduring · hearted) de (-ly) jiào·dǎo (taught · guided) Yuēná (Jonah) . Shǒuxiān (first) , tā (he) shǐ (caused) hǎi·shàng (sea · upon) kuáng·fēng (wild · wind) dà·zuò (greatly · {to rise}) , hòu·lái (afterwards · {came to be}) yòu (additionally) shī·xíng ({carried out} · implemented) qí·jì (remarkable · {outward sign})   (→ [miracle]) , shǐ (causing) Yuēná (Jonah) zài (in) dà (great) yú (fish) de (’s) fù (belly) zhōng (within) sī·háo ({a thread} · {a fine hair}) wú·sǔn ({to be without} · harm) . Sān (three) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) hòu ({after ←}) , dà (great) yú (fish) bǎ (held) Yuēná (Jonah) tǔ ({to be spit}) zài (on) àn (shore) shang (upon) . Jīng·lì·le ({having gone through} · {having experienced} · [to completion]) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) shì (things) , Yuēná (Jonah) bǐ ({compared to}) zhī·qián (this · before) gèng·jiā (more · increasedly) jìng·wèi (respected · feared) hé (and) shùn·fú ({submitted to} · obeyed) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) le ([indicates a change]) . ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 1, 2 zhāng (chapters) )

3. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) xiàng (towards) Yuēná (Jonah) xiǎn·chū ({had shown} · out) shénme ([what]) tè·zhì (special · quality) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wǒmen ([we]) jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) huì (will) tán ({talk about}) xiē ({a few}) shénme ([what]) wèn·tí (asking · subjects)   (→ [questions]) ?

³ Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) fēnfu (ordered) Yuēná (Jonah) qián·wǎng (forward · {to go towards}) Níníwēi (Nineveh) . Zhèi (this) cì (time) , Yuēná (Jonah) zūn ({abiding by}) zhǔ (enjoining) ér (thus) xíng (doing) wǎng (towards) dōng (east) zǒu (walked) , tà·shang (tread · upon) nèi (that) tiáo ({strip of}) màn·cháng (boundless · long) de (’s) lù (road) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:1–3.) Rán’ér (but) , Yuēná (Jonah) shòu·dào ({having received} · {arriving at}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guǎn·jiào (disciplining · teaching) , yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) wánquán (completely) gǎibiàn (changed) guo·lai (over · {to come}) ne? Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǐ ({had used}) cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) duì·dài ({to treat} · {to deal with}) Yuēná (Jonah) , méi·yǒu (not · had) yīn (because) tā (he) kàng·mìng ({had defied} · orders) ér (thus) shī·xíng ({carried out} · implemented) chéngfá (punishing) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) jiù·le ({had saved} · [to completion]) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) xìng·mìng (nature · life) , shǐ (causing) tā (him) bú·zhì (not · {to incur}) zàng·shēn (burying · body) dà·hǎi ([in] big · sea) , hái (also) zài·cì (again · {[one] time}) gěi ({had given}) tā (him) jīhuì (opportunity) qù ({to go}) zhí·xíng ({to grasp} · {to do}) rèn·wu (appointed · task) . Yuēná (Jonah) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) cóng (from) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) jīng·lì ({gone through} · experienced [things]) xué·huì (learned · {to be able}) yǐ ({to use}) cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) dài·rén ({to treat} · people) ne? Duì (to) bù·wán·měi (not · complete · beautiful)   (→ [imperfect]) de (’s) rén (people) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , yào (must) yǐ (use) cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) dài·rén ({to treat} · people) wǎngwǎng ([often]) bù (not) róng·yì ({is allowing} · {being easy}) , Yuēná (Jonah) yě (also) bù (not) lì·wài ([was] rule · outside)   (→ [was exception]) . Ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) kàn·kan (see · see) cóng (from) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) jīng·lì ({gone through} · experienced [things]) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) .

4, 5. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) bǎ (held) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chēng·wéi ({to be called} · {to be}) dà (great) chéng (city) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) zhè (this) yì (one) diǎn (point) kàn·chū (see · {coming out}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) wèi ([mw for persons]) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) ?

⁴ Yuēná (Jonah) méi·yǒu (not · had) yǐ (used) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guān·diǎn (view·point) qù ({to go}) kàn ({to look at}) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) : “Níníwēi (Nineveh) zài (in) Shàng·dì (above’s · God’s) yǎn·zhōng (eyes · within) shì (was) zuò ([mw]) dà (great) chéng (city) ”. ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:3) Zài (in) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) jì·zǎi (recorded · writing) zhōng (within) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) sān (three) cì (times) bǎ (held) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chēng·wéi ({to be called} · {to be}) dà (great) chéng (city) . ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 1:2; 3:2; 4:11) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) nà·me (that · [so]) kàn·zhòng ({saw as} · weighty) Níníwēi (Nineveh) zhèi (this) zuò ([mw]) dà (great) chéng (city) ne?

⁵ Níníwēi (Nineveh) shì (was) zuò ([mw]) gǔ (ancient) chéng (city) , shì (was) Nínglù (Nimrod) zài (at) Dà (great) Hóng·shuǐ (Flood · water) zhī·hòu (it · after) zuì·chū (most · {at the beginning}) xīng·jiàn (raised · built) de (’s) qí·zhōng (them · among’s) yí (one) zuò ([mw]) chéng (city) . Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city’s) miàn·jī (surface · accumulated)   (→ [area]) hěn ({very much}) dà ({was big}) , guǎnxiá (governed) fàn·wéi (limits · enclosed)   (→ [scope]) hái (also) bāokuò (included) lín·jìn (neighbouring · nearby) de (’s) jǐ ({a few}) ge ([mw]) chéng·shì (cities · municipalities) , rén (man) yào (needed) zǒu ({to walk}) sān (three) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) de (’) lù (road) , cái ({only then}) néng ({would be able}) cóng (from) chéng (city) de (’s) yì (one) tóu (head)   (→ [end]) zǒu·dào ({to walk} · to) lìng (other) yì (one) tóu (head)   (→ [end]) . ( Chuàng·shì·jì (creating · world · record)   (→ [Genesis]) 10:11; Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:3) Níníwēi (Nineveh) yǒu (had) gāo·sǒng (high · towering) de (’s) chéng·qiáng (city · walls) , chéng (city) li (inside) yǒu (had) hóng·wěi (grand · great) de (’s) shén·miào (god · temples) yǐjí ({as well as}) bié·de (other · ’s) dà·xíng (large · type) jiànzhù·wù (built · things) . Dàn (but) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of [things]}) dōu (all) bú (not) shì (were) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) Shàngdì ([God]) kàn·zhòng ({saw as} · weighty) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) de (’s) yuán·yīn (origin · cause) . Duì (to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , zhòng·yào (weighty · important) de (’s) shì (were) chéng (city) li (inside) de (’s) rén (people) . Nà ({[at] that}) shíhou (time) , Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) rén·kǒu (people · {mouths (mw) [of]}) zhòng·duō ({were numerous} · {were many}) . Suī·rán (although · -ly) tāmen ([they]) zuò’·è ({were doing} · evil) ‐ duō·duān ([in] many · aspects) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hái·shi (still · was) guān·xīn (concerning · heart [with]) tāmen ([them]) . Shàng·dì (above’s · God) zhòng·shì ({[as] weighty} · regards) rén·mìng (human · life) , yě (also) kàn·chū (sees · {coming out}) rén·rén (person · person)   (→ [everyone]) dōu ({each one}) yǒu (has) kě·néng (maybe · {being able}) huǐ·gǎi ({to repent} · {to change}) , lí’·è ({to leave} · wickedness) ‐ xíng·shàn ({to do} · good) .

6. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Níníwēi (Nineveh) lìng (caused) Yuēná (Jonah) gǎn·dào ({to feel} · {arriving at}) hài·pà (feeling · {was afraid}) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .) (Yǐ) ((second)) Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) Yuēná (Jonah’s) chuán·jiǎng (spreading · {speaking of}) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) kàn·chū (see · {coming out}) tā (he) shì (was) ge ([mw]) zěn·yàng (what · kind) de (’s) rén (person) ?

⁶ Yuēná (Jonah) zhōng·yú (finally · at) dǐ·dá ({arrived at} · reached) Níníwēi (Nineveh) . Dāng (when) tā (he) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) zhèi (this) zuò ([mw]) chéng (city) zhù·le ({had residing} · [to completion]) chāo·guò (exceeded · over) shí’·èr (ten · two)   (→ [twelve]) wàn ({ten thousands of}) rén (people) hòu ({after ←}) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) gèng·jiā (more · increasedly) hài·pà (feeling · {was afraid}) .* Tā (he) zài (in) zhèi (this) zuò ([mw]) fán·róng ({having great numbers} · thriving) de (’s) dà (great) chéng (city) li (inside) zǒu·le (walk·ed) yì (one) tiān (sky)   (→ [day]) , chuān·yuè ({passing through} · {getting over}) dà·jiē (big · streets) ‐ xiǎo·xiàng (small · lanes) , xiǎng (wanting) zài (at) chéng (city) li (inside) zuì·duō (most · many) rén (people) jùjí (gathered) de (’s) dìfang (place) xuān·gào ({to declare} · {to tell}) tā de ([his]) xìn·xī (message · news) . Kě·shì (however · was) , chéng (city) li (inside) de (’s) rén (people) zěn·me (how · [so]) néng ({would be able}) tīng·dǒng ({to hear} · understanding) tā de ([his]) huà (words) ne? Yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) Yuēná (Jonah) xué·guo ({had learned} · {[in the] past}) Yàshù·yǔ (Assyrian · language) ; huò·shi (or · {[it] was [that]}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shī·xíng ({carried out} · implemented) qí·jì (remarkable · {outward sign})   (→ [miracle]) , shǐ (causing) tā (him) néng·gòu ({to be able} · enough) shuō ({to speak}) zhèi (this) zhǒng ({type of}) yǔ·yán (language · speech) ; Yuēná (Jonah) yě (also) kě·néng (may · {have been able}) yòng ({to use}) tā de ([his]) mǔ·yǔ (mother · language) Xībólái·yǔ (Hebrew · language) xuān·jiǎng ({to declare} · {to talk about}) xìn·xī (message · news) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) qǐng ({to invite}) bié·ren (other · people) chuán·yì ({to pass on} · {to translate}) . Bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) , tā (he) suǒ ({that which [he]}) chuán ({was spreading}) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) jiǎn·míng ({was simple} · {was clear}) ér (and) shuài·zhí ({was frank} · {was straight}) , yì·diǎnr (a · bit) yě (even) bù (not) tǎo ({did incur}) rén (people) xǐ·huan (liking · enjoying) . Tā (he) xuān·gào (declaring · telling) shuō (said) : “ Hái·yǒu (still · have) sì·shí (four · tens)   (→ [forty]) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) , Níníwēi (Nineveh) jiù (exactly) yào (must) fù·wáng ({be overturned} · perish) le ([indicates a change]) .” ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:4) Tā (he) yǒng·gǎn (brave · daring) de (-ly) zài·sān (again · three)   (→ [again and again]) xiàng (to) rén (people) xuān·gào (declared · told) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xìn·xī (message · news) , xiǎn·chū (showing · out) fēi·fán (not · ordinary) de (’s) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) hé (and) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) bǐ ({compared to}) yǐ·wǎng (in · {[the] past}) rèn·hé ({no matter} · which)   (→ [any]) shíhou (time) dōu (all) gèng (more) xūyào (need) zhèi (these) liǎng (two) zhǒng ({kinds of}) tè·zhì (special · qualities) .

7, 8. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) duì (towards) Yuēná (Jonah) chuán·jiǎng (spread · {spoke of}) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Níníwēi (Nineveh’s) wáng (king) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) hòu ({after ←}) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (did) ?

⁷ Xǔ·duō (numbers · many) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) dōu (even) tíng (stopped) xia·lai (down · {to come}) tīng ({to listen to}) Yuēná (Jonah) jiǎng·huà (speak · words) . Yuēná (Jonah) běn (originally) yǐ·wéi (took · {to be}) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) huì (would) gǎn·dào (feel · {arriving at}) fèn·nù (indignation · anger) , shèn·zhì (greatly · {going to the point of}) shāng·hài (injuring · harming) tā (him) . Kě·shì (however · was) , chū·hū ({going out beyond} · from) ‐ yì·liào (anticipated · expected) de (’s) shì (was) , tāmen ([they]) jìng·rán (unexpected·ly) yuàn·yì ([with] willing · intention) língtīng (listened)   (→ [listened respectfully]) ! Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) huà (words) hěn (very) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) chuán·kāi (spread · widely) le ([to completion]) . Méi (not) duō (much) jiǔ ({for a long time}) , quán (whole) chéng (city) de (’s) rén (people) dōu (all) zài ({were then}) tán·lùn ({talking about} · discussing) tā (he) yù·gào ({had fore-} · -told) Níníwēi (Nineveh) huì (would) fù·wáng ({be overturned} · perish) de (’s) shì (matter) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:5.) Tāmen ([they]) quán·dōu (all · even) jìn·shí (prohibited · eating)   (→ [fasted]) huǐ·gǎi (repented · changed) , bù (not) fēn (separating) pínqióng (poor) fù·guì (wealthy · {of high rank}) , qīng·zhuàng (young · strong) lǎo·ruò (old · weak) . Bù·jiǔ (not · {was a long time}) , jū·mín (residing · people) de (’s) jǔ·dòng (acting · moving)   (→ [movement]) jiù (then) chuán·dào·le (spread · to · [to completion]) Níníwēi (Nineveh’s) wáng (king) de (’s) ěr (ears) zhōng (within) .

⁸ Níníwēi (Nineveh’s) wáng (king) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) Yuēná (Jonah) suǒ ({that which [he]}) chuán·jiǎng ({was spreading} · {was speaking of}) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) hòu ({after ←}) , yě (also) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) qǐ·le (raise · -ed) jìng·wèi (respecting · fearing) zhī (’s) xīn (heart) . Wáng (king) cóng (from) bǎo·zuò (precious · seat)   (→ [throne]) shang (upon) qǐ·lai ({got up} · {to come}) , tuō·xià ({cast off} · down) huá·lì (magnificent · beautiful) de (’s) cháo·fú ({royal court} · clothes) , xiàng (like) bǎi·xìng (hundred · {family names})   (→ [common people]) nà·yàng (that · [way]) pī·shang ({draped over shoulders} · upon) cū·bù (coarse · cloth) , rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) “zuò (sat) zài (in) huī (ashes) zhōng (among) ”. Bǎi·xìng (hundred · {family names})   (→ [common people]) de (’s) zì·fā (self · {brought into existence}) jǔ·dòng (acting · moving)   (→ [movement]) cù·shǐ (urged · caused) wáng (king) gēn (with) dà·chén (great · officials) yì·dìng ({to discuss} · {to decide}) yì (one) tiáo ([mw for long, narrow things]) fǎ·lìng (law · command) : Suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · had) mín·zhòng (people · multitude) dōu (all) yào (needed) jìn·shí ({to prohibit} · eating)   (→ [to fast]) . Wáng (king) yòu (also) fēnfu (commanded) , bú·lùn (not · discussing)   (→ [no matter]) shì (were) rén (humans) hái·shi ({still more} · were)   (→ [or were]) shēngchù ({domestic animals}) , yí·lǜ (one · law)   (→ [all equally]) yào (must) pī·shang ({drape over shoulders} · upon) cū·bù (coarse · cloth) .* Wáng (king) hái (also) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (-ly) chéng·rèn (bore · recognized) , yǐ·wǎng (in · {[the] past}) tā (his) zhì·xià (ruling · under) de (’s) rénmín (people) cán·bào ({were savage} · {were violent}) chéng·xìng (becoming · nature) , zuò’·è ({were doing} · evil) ‐ duō·duān ([in] many · aspects) , tā (he) xīwàng (hoped) Zhēn·shén (true · God) kàn·jian ({would look at} · {would see}) tāmen ([them]) huǐ·gǎi (repenting · changing) , jiù (then) “ píng·xī (pacify · {bring to rest}) nù·huǒ (anger · fire) ”, shǐ (cause) tāmen ([them]) bú·zhì (not · {to incur}) miè·wáng ({being extinguished} · dying) . ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:6–9)

9. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Guān·yú (relating · to) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) , yǒu·xiē (have · some) pīpíng·jiā (criticizing · persons) zhì·yí (question · doubt) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , tāmen de ([their]) guān·diǎn (view·point) shì (is) bú·duì (not · correct) de (’s) ?

⁹ Yǒu·xiē (have · some) pīpíng·jiā (criticizing · persons) zhì·yí (question · doubt) , Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) bù (not) kě·néng (could · {have been able}) zhè·me (this · [so]) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) gǎibiàn ({to change}) tàidu (attitude) . Kě·shì (however · is) , yì·xiē (one · {number of}) Shèng·jīng (holy · Scriptures)   (→ [Bible]) xué·zhě (study · -ers) biǎo·shì (express · show) , zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) xíngwéi (doing) duì (to) gǔ·dài (ancient · era) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) mí·xìn (enchanting · believing)   (→ [superstitious]) ér (and) shàn·biàn ({apt to} · change) de (’s) mín·zú (peoples · groups) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) yì·diǎnr (a · bit) yě (even) bù (not) qíguài ({was strange}) , zhè (this) gēn (with) tāmen de ([their]) mín·zú (people · group) tè·xìng (particular · nature) shì (was) yí·zhì ({of one} · cause)   (→ [consistent]) de (’s) . Yēsū (Jesus) Jīdū ([Christ]) hòu·lái (afterwards · {came to be}) yě (also) tí·dào (raised · {arriving at})   (→ [mentioned]) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) huǐ·gǎi (repenting · changing) yí (one) shì (matter) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Mǎtài (Matthew) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 12:41.) Yēsū (Jesus) qīngchu (clearly) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) zhèi (this) jiàn ([mw]) shì (matter) de (’s) zhēn·xiàng (true · appearance) , yīn·wei (because · for) tā (he) zài (at) tiān·shàng (heaven · above) mù·jī (eyes · {had struck}) shì·qing (matter · situation) de (’s) jīng·guò ({passed through} · past) . (Yuēhàn (John) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 8:57, 58) Yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) , wǒmen ([we]) bù (not) gāi (should) duàn·dìng (judge · {to be established}) mǒu·xiē (certain · few) rén (people) shì (are) bù (not) kěnéng (can) huǐ·gǎi (repent · change) de (’s) , bù·guǎn (not · {bothering about}) tāmen ([they]) kàn·lái ({looked at} · {coming to be}) duō·me (much · [so]) xié’·è ({are evil} · {are wicked}) . Zhǐ·yǒu (only · has) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) cái ({only then}) néng ({is able}) kàn·tòu ({to see} · {penetrating through}) rén·xīn (people’s · hearts) .

10, 11. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) kàn·jian ({looking at} · seeing) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) huǐ·gǎi (repenting · changing) , yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) xiān·qián (earlier · before) duì (towards) Níníwēi (Nineveh) de (’s) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · {had had}) cuò (error) ?

¹⁰ Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) tòng·huǐ ({in anguish} · repented) gǎi·guò (changed · transgressions) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ne? Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) jì·shù (records · narrates) dào ({arriving at}) : “ Shàng·dì (above’s · God) kàn·jian ({looked at} · saw) tāmen ([they]) suǒ ({those which [they]}) zuò (did) de (’s) shì (things) , jiàn (saw) tāmen ([they]) dōu (all) qì·jué ({had abandoned} · {had cut off}) è·xíng (wicked · conduct) , jiù (then) huí·xīn ({circled back} · heart) ‐ zhuǎn·yì (turned · thinking) , bù (not) bǎ ({did hold}) xiān·qián (earlier · before) xuānbù ({had announced}) de (’s) zāihuò (calamity) jiàng ({to be brought down}) zài (on) tāmen ([their]) shēn·shang (bodies → [selves] · upon) .” ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 3:10)

12, 13. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wǒmen ([we]) zěn·me (how · [so]) kàn·chū (see · out) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) shì (is) tōng·qíng ({connecting [with]} · feelings) ‐ dá·lǐ (reaching · reason) , cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) wéi (as) huái (heart) de (’s) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yuēná (Jonah) fèng·mìng ({having received} · orders) suǒ ({that which [he]}) shuō (said) de (’s) yù·yán ({in advance} · saying)   (→ [prophecy]) bú (not) shì (was) jiǎ (false) de (’s) ?

14. Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǐ (used) cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) dài ({to treat}) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) , Yuēná (Jonah) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ?

¹⁴ Yuēná (Jonah) kàn·jian ({looked at} · saw) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) méi·yǒu (not · had) rú·qī ({according to} · {time period}) zāo·shòu (encountered · received) huǐ·miè (destruction · extinguishing) , yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ne? Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) : “Yuēná (Jonah) yīn ({because of}) zhèi (this) jiàn ([mw]) shì (matter) ér (thus) fēi·cháng (un·usually) bú·yuè (not · {was pleased}) , fā·qǐ (developed · up) nù (anger) lai ({to come}) ”. ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 4:1) Tā (he) shèn·zhì (greatly · {went to the point of}) yǐ (using) jìn·hu (close · to) zhǐ·zé ({pointing at} · criticizing) de (’s) kǒu·wěn (mouth · lips)   (→ [tone of voice]) xiàng (to) Quán·néng (all · able) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) dǎo·gào ({to pray} · {to request}) . Tā (he) shuō (said) zìjǐ (self) běn·lái (originally · {came [to be]}) jiù (then) yīnggāi (should) liú ({have remained}) zài (in) jiā·xiāng (family · {native place}) , yòu (also) shuō (said) zìjǐ (self) yì·zǎo ({as soon as} · {was early}) jiù (then) yù·liào ({in advance} · {had expected}) dào ({arriving at}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) bú·huì (not · would) jiàng ({bring down}) zāi (calamity) gěi ({to give to}) Níníwēi (Nineveh) , gèng (moreover) yǐ (used) cǐ (this) wéi (as) jiè·kǒu ({used as a pretext} · mouthful)   (→ [excuse]) , jiěshì ({to explain}) zìjǐ (self) zuì·chū (most · {at the beginning}) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) huì (would) táo·dào (flee · to) Tāshī (Tarshish) qù ({to go}) . Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , tā (he) xiàng (to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) qiú (asked) sǐ ({to die}) , shuō (said) sǐ·le ({having died} · [to completion]) bǐ ({compared to}) huó·zhe (live · -ing) hái (still) hǎo ({would be [more] good}) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 4:2, 3.)

15. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yuēná (Jonah) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) fā·nù ({issued forth} · anger) , jǔ·sàng ({was dispirited from} · {losing sth. important}) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) kàn·jian ({looked at} · saw) Yuēná (Jonah) zhè·me (this · [so]) jǔ·sàng ({was dispirited from} · {losing sth. important}) , jiù (then) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) zuò (did) ?

¹⁵ Yuēná (Jonah) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) bù (not) gāo·xìng ({was [with] high} · enthusiasm) ne? Wǒmen ([we]) bù (not) zhī·dào ({do know} · way)   (→ [do know]) tā (his) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) de (’s) xiǎng·fa (thinking · way) , zhǐ (only) zhī·dào (know · way)   (→ [know]) tā (he) céng (had) xiàng (to) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) de (’s) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [it]} · had) rén (people) xuānbù (announced) huǐ·miè (destruction · extinguishing) de (’s) xìn·xī (message · news) , ér (and) tāmen ([they]) dōu (all) xiāng·xìn ({had evaluated in person} · {had believed}) tā (him) . Kě·shì (however · was) xiànzài (presently) , huǐ·miè (destruction · extinguishing) bú·huì (not · would) fā·shēng ({issue forth} · {come to life})   (→ [happen]) le ([indicates a change]) . Yuēná (Jonah) shì (was) hài·pà (feeling · {was afraid}) bèi (by) rén (people) cháo·xiào ({to be ridiculed} · {to be laughed at}) , hái·shi ({still more} · was)   (→ [or was]) pà (fearing) bié·ren (other · people) shuō ({would say}) tā (he) shì (was) jiǎ (false) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) ne? Wú·lùn ({not having} · {discussing of})   (→ [no matter]) tā (he) zěn·me (how · [so]) xiǎng ({was thinking}) , fǎn·zhèng ({turning over to} · correctness)   (→ [anyway]) tā (he) jiù·shì (exactly · was) bù (not) gāo·xìng ({[with] high} · enthusiasm) kàn·jian ({to look at} · {to see}) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) huǐ·gǎi (repent · change) , yě (also) bù (not) xǐ·huan ({did like} · {did enjoy}) jiàn·dào (seeing · {arriving at}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǐ (using) cí·bēi (kindness · compassion)   (→ [mercy]) duì·dài ({to treat} · {to deal with}) Níníwēi·rén (Ninevite · people) . Kàn·lái ({looking at} · {coming to be}) , tā (he) yuè ({jumping ahead})   (→ [the more]) xiǎng (thought) yuè ({jumping ahead})   (→ [the more]) jué·de (felt · {getting to be}) fèn·fèn (indignant · indignant) ‐ bù·píng (not · calm) , yuè ({jumping ahead})   (→ [the more]) xiǎng (thought) yuè ({jumping ahead})   (→ [the more]) jué·de (felt · {getting to be}) zìjǐ (self) zhēn·de (truly · ’s) hěn ({very much}) kě·lián (could · pity) , yánmiàn (face) sǎo·dì ({was sweeping} · floor) . Cí·bēi (kind · compassionate)   (→ [merciful]) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) kàn ({looked at}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) jǔ·sàng ({was dispirited from} · {losing sth. important}) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) ne? Xiǎn·rán (evident·ly) , tā (he) kàn ({looked at}) de (’s) shì (were) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) yōu·diǎn (excellent · points) . Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) bìng (definitely) méi·yǒu (not · had) yīn·wei (because · for) Yuēná (Jonah) duì (towards) tā (him) bú·jìng (not · {had been respecting}) ér (thus) chéngfá (punished) tā (him) , zhǐ·shì (only · was) wēn·hé (warm · peaceful) de (-ly) wèn·le (asking · [to completion]) tā (him) yí (one) ge ([mw]) fā·rén·shēn·xǐng (starts · people · deeply · {to be aware}) de (’s) wèn·tí (asking · subject)   (→ [question]) : “ Nǐ (you) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) fā·nù ({issuing forth} · anger) yǒu (has) dào·li (way · reasoning) ma?” ( Yuēná·shū (Jonah · book) 4:4) Yuēná (Jonah) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) huí·dá ({[in] return} · answered) ? Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) méi·yǒu (not · has) shuō (said) .

16. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Rén (people) kě·néng (may · {be able}) zài (at) shénme ([what]) shì (matters) shang (upon) gēn (with) Shàng·dì (above’s · God’s) guān·diǎn (view·point) bù (not) yí·yàng ({[to be of] one} · kind)   (→ [to be the same]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) shì·lì (matter · example) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ?

¹⁶ Wǒmen ([we]) hěn ({very much}) róng·yì (allowing · {being easy}) huì (will) yīn ({because of}) Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) xíngwéi (doing) ér (thus) pīpíng (criticize) tā (him) , bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) , wǒmen ([we]) yào (must) jì·de ({to remember} · get) , bù·wán·měi (not · complete · beautiful)   (→ [imperfect]) de (’s) rén (people) bú (not) rèn·tóng (identifying · with) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) guān·diǎn (view·point) shì (is) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) lǐ·jiě (logically · untie)   (→ [understand]) de (’s) . Yǒu·xiē (have · some) rén (people) rèn·wéi (identifying · {to be}) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) bù (not) yīnggāi (should) ràng ({have let}) zāinàn (disaster) fā·shēng ({issue forth} · {come to life})   (→ [happen]) , huò·zhě (or · [suf]) yīnggāi (should) mǎ·shàng (horse · upon)   (→ [immediately]) duì (towards) è·rén (wicked · people) zhí·xíng ({have grasped} · {have done}) pàn·jué (judging · deciding) , zǎo·diǎnr (earlier · {a bit}) xiāo·miè ({have eliminated} · {have exterminated}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xié’·è (evil · wicked) de (’s) shì·jiè (world · extent) . Yuēná (Jonah) de (’s) shì·lì (matter · example) què (however) ràng (allows) wǒmen ([us]) míng·bai ({to understand} · clearly) yào·shi (if · {[it] is [that]}) wǒmen ([we]) bù (not) tóng·yì ({[do have] the same} · thinking [as]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) guān·diǎn (view·point) , jiù (exactly) yào (must) zuò·chū (make · out) tiáo·zhěng (adjusting · arranging) , ér (and) bú (not) shì (be) yào (requiring) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) tiáo·zhěng ({to adjust} · {to arrange}) tā de ([his]) guān·diǎn (view·point) .

17, 18. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yuēná (Jonah) lí·kāi (left · [clear of]) Níníwēi (Nineveh) chéng (city) hòu ({after ←}) zuò·le (did · [to completion]) shénme ([what]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Gēn (with) hú·lu (bottle-gourd · [plant]) yǒu·guān (had · relation) de (’s) qí·jì (remarkable · {outward sign})   (→ [miracle]) duì (to) Yuēná (Jonah) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influence]) ?