16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
17
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
18
Then Mardocheus thought upon all the works of the Lord, and made his prayer unto him,
19
Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world is in thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man that can gainsay thee:
20
For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things under the heaven.
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Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord.
22
Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.
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For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.
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But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride.
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And now, O Lord God and King, spare thy people: for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought; yea, they desire to destroy the inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.
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Despise not the portion, which thou hast delivered out of Egypt for thine own self.