The answer
Regret is defined as a feeling of sadness. In these verses, God is expressing His profound anguish over the constant vile and deplorable sins committed through humanities' indulgences and abominations. God's love for us is immeasurable and He deals with us with abundant mercy. However, His omnipotent justice is expedient with wrath upon the world for the spread of corruption and lawlessness. Nonetheless, the repentance of one sinner rejoices His heart. The Ninevites won God's mercy by repentance: "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it" (Jonah 3:10). Thus, repentance is the key to God's heart.Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)