but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal, and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.
The Ninevites also recognized the fundamental truth that the mere putting on of sackcloth and ashes would be futile and useless without the fundamental change in their lives which such outward tokens of repentance promised.  In a manner that reminds us of the words of John the Baptist who commanded the people to "Bring forth fruit worthy of repentance"  (Matthew 3:8), this ancient governor of Nineveh laid the same commandment upon himself and his fellow-citizens.