Additions to Esther 4:16-26

16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish."
17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
18 Then Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to remembrance all the works of the Lord.
19 e said, "O Lord, Lord, you rule as King over all things, for the universe is in your power and there is no one who can oppose you when it is your will to save Israel,
20 for you have made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under heaven.
21 You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, the Lord.
22 You know all things; you know, O Lord, that it was not in insolence or pride or for any love of glory that I did this, and refused to bow down to this proud Haman;
23 for I would have been willing to kiss the soles of his feet to save Israel!
24 But I did this so that I might not set human glory above the glory of God, and I will not bow down to anyone but you, who are my Lord; and I will not do these things in pride.
25 And now, O Lord God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; for the eyes of our foes are upon us to annihilate us, and they desire to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from the beginning.
26 Do not neglect your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Chapters 13.8--15.16 correspond to chapters C 1-30 and D 1-16 in some translations.
  • [b]. Gk [he]
  • [c]. Gk [for they are eying us]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.