Jonah and Pinocchio
[Pharaoh] went and ruled in Nineveh. And the people of Nineveh were writing works of profanity, stealing from one another, engaging in all kinds of perversity, and other such wicked things. And when the Holy One sent Jonah to deliver a prophecy to Nineveh about its destruction, Pharaoh heard and stood up from his throne and tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth and ashes, and announced to all his people that they should fast for three days - and that anyone who did not do it, would be burned in fire.
Pirke D'Rabbi Eliezer 43
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
All who observe empty religions forsake your mercy
“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.
Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
“Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy.
“Those who are followers of worthless idols Abandon their faithfulness,
“Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness,
“Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness,
“Those who regard and follow worthless idols Turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.
Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love,
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love,
They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
All who observe empty religions forsake your mercy
Brenton Septuagint Translation
They that observe vanities and lies have forsaken their own mercy.
All who worship worthless idols turn from the God who offers them mercy.
They that are vain observe vanities, forsake their own mercy.
Those who worship worthless idols have abandoned their loyalty to you.
International Standard Version
Those who cling to vain idols leave behind the gracious love that could have been theirs.
They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy.
Those observing lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Those who worship worthless idols abandon their hope for mercy.
Those who worship worthless idols forfeit the mercy that could be theirs.
Those who worship vain idols forsake their true loyalty.
Those who regard worthless things forsake their faithfulness.
Those who regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Those observing lying vanities their own mercy forsake.
Though the stories are very different, they share many commonalities. Jonah and Pinocchio both "find redemption in the belly of a whale." They way they do this however, is different. Jonah asks God for a second chance to prove himself worthy and to fulfill God's plan, no matter where it leads him. While on the other hand, Pinocchio proves himself brave, truthful and selfless by risking his life to travel deep into the depths of the ocean to save his father and because of this, he earns the right to become a real boy.
