1
But Mordecai having perceived what was done, rent his garments, and put on sackcloth, and sprinkled dust upon himself; and having rushed forth through the open street of the city, he cried with a loud voice, A nation that has done no wrong is going to be destroyed.
2
And he came to the king’s gate, and stood; for it was not lawful for him to enter into the palace, wearing sackcloth and ashes.
3
And in every province where the letters were published, there was crying and lamentation and great mourning on the part of the Jews: they spread for themselves sackcloth and ashes.
4
And the queen’s maids and chamberlains went in and told her: and when she had heard what was done, she was disturbed; and she sent to clothe Mordecai, and take away his sackcloth: but he consented not.
5
So Esther called for her chamberlain Hathach, who waited upon her; and she sent to learn the truth from Mordecai.
7
And Mordecai showed him what was done, and the promise which Haman had made the king of ten thousand talents to be paid into the treasury, that he might destroy the Jews.
8
And he gave him the copy of the writing that was published in Susa concerning their destruction, to show to Esther; and told him to charge her to go in and entreat the king, and to beg him for the people, remembering, said he, the days of thy low estate, how thou wert nursed by my hand: because Haman who holds the next place to the king has spoken against us for death. Do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king concerning us, to deliver us from death.
9
So Hathach went in and told her all these words.
10
And Esther said to Hathach, Go to Mordecai, and say,
11
All the nations of the empire know, that whoever, man or woman, shall go in to the king into the inner court uncalled, that person cannot live: only to whomsoever the king shall stretch out his golden scepter, he shall live: and I have not been called to go in to the king, for these thirty days.
12
And Hathach reported to Mordecai all the words of Esther.
13
Then Mordecai said to Hathach, Go, and say to her, Esther, say not to thyself that thou alone wilt escape in the kingdom, more than all the other Jews.
14
For if thou shalt refuse to hearken on this occasion, help and protection will be to the Jews from another quarter; but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knows, if thou hast been made queen for this very occasion?
15
And Esther sent the man that came to her to Mordecai, saying,
16
Go and assemble the Jews that are in Susa, and fast ye for me, and eat not and drink not for three days, night and day: and I also and my maidens will fast; and then I will go in to the king contrary to the law, even if I must die.
17
So Mordecai went and did all that Esther commanded him. world under heaven. And thou art Lord of all, and there is no one who shall resist thee the Lord. our enemies are looking upon us to our destruction, and they have desired to destroy thine ancient inheritance. all their might, for their death was before their eyes. as it were in the agony of death. And having taken off her glorious apparel, she put on garments of distress and mourning; and instead of grand perfumes she filled her head with ashes and dung, and she greatly brought down her body, and she filled every place of her glad adorning with the torn curls of her hair. And she besought the Lord God of Israel, and said, who am destitute, and have no helper but thee, for my danger is near at hand. in order to abolish the decree of thy mouth, and utterly to destroy thine inheritance, and to stop the mouth of them that praise thee, and to extinguish the glory of thy house and thine altar, speak the praises of vanities, and in order that a mortal king should be admired forever. to injure us. us, O Lord, manifest thyself in the time of our affliction, and encourage me, O king of gods, and ruler of all dominion. who am destitute, and have none but thee, O Lord. at the table of Haman, and I have not honored the banquet of the king, neither have I drunk wine of libations.