Additions to Esther 4:39-49

39 O Lord, do not surrender thy scepter to what has no being; and do not let them mock at our downfall; but turn their plan against themselves, and make an example of the man who began this against us.
40 Remember, O Lord; make thyself known in this time of our affliction, and give me courage, O King of the gods and Master of all dominion!
41 Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion, and turn his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that there may be an end of him and those who agree with him.
42 But save us by thy hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but thee, O Lord.
43 Thou hast knowledge of all things; and thou knowest that I hate the splendor of the wicked and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised and of any alien.
44 Thou knowest my necessity -- that I abhor the sign of my proud position, which is upon my head on the days when I appear in public. I abhor it like a menstruous rag, and I do not wear it on the days when I am at leisure.
45 And thy servant has not eaten at Haman's table, and I have not honored the king's feast or drunk the wine of the libations.
46 Thy servant has had no joy since the day that I was brought here until now, except in thee, O Lord God of Abraham.
47 O God, whose might is over all, hear the voice of the despairing, and save us from the hands of evildoers. And save me from my fear!"
48 On the third day, when she ended her prayer, she took off the garments in which she had worshiped, and arrayed herself in splendid attire.
49 Then, majestically adorned, after invoking the aid of the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her,
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.