Jonah

                                      By Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In fear of death they cried aloud and, clinging fast

to wet ropes straining on the battered deck,

they gazed in stricken terror at the sea

that now, unchained in sudden fury, lashed the ship.

'0 gods eternal, excellent, provoked to anger,

help us, or give a sign, that we may know

who has offended you by secret sin,

by breach of oath, or heedless blasphemy, or murder,

who brings us to disaster by misdeed still hidden,

to make a paltry profit for his pride.'

Thus they besought. And Jonah said, 'Behold,

I sinned before the Lord 0£ hosts. My life is forfeit.

Cast me away! My guilt must bear the wrath of God;

the righteous shall not perish with the sinner !'

They trembled. But with hands that knew no weakness 

they cast the offender from their midst. The sea stood still.

October 1944