13
he sent her this warning: "Esther, don't imagine that you are safer than any of the other Jews in the empire.
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If you keep quiet at a time like this, help will come to the Jews in some other way and they will be saved, but you will die and your father's family will come to an end. Yet, who knows? Maybe it was for a time like this that you were made queen!"
15
Esther sent Mordecai this reply:
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"Go and gather all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don't eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die."
17
Mordecai then left and did everything that Esther had told him to do.
18
Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to mind what the Lord had done in the past:
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"O Lord, you are the Lord and King of all creation, and everything obeys your commands. If you wish to save Israel, no one can stop you.
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You made heaven and earth and all the wonderful things on earth.
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You are the Lord of all, and there is no one who can stand against you.
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You know all things. You know, Lord, that when I refused to bow to that arrogant Haman, it was not because I was arrogant or trying to impress people.
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I simply did not want to honor any human being more than I honor God. I refuse to bow to anyone but you, my Lord; and this is not because of pride. If it would help to save Israel, I would be willing even to kiss the soles of his feet.