^3 (A)Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for ^(B)it is better for me to die than to live!”

⁴ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a ^[a]broom tree. And he ^(A)prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

The Value of Practical Wisdom

¹⁵ If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and ^(A)do not let me see my wretchedness!”

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I ^[a]cannot tell. ^23 [b]For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a ^(A)desire to depart and be with Christ, which is ^(B)far better. ²⁴ Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. ²⁵ And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,

⁸ And it happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, ^(A)“It is better for me to die than to live.”

³ And the people ^(A)contended with Moses and spoke, saying: “If only we had died ^(B)when our brethren died before the Lord!

¹⁵ But ^(A)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for ^(B)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.