Esther 4 Parallel Bible Translations

Esther 4 ▼
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1 When Mordecai (little man) learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry. When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. He went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.
3 In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. And in every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s (star) maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai (little man) to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.
5 Then Esther (star) summoned Hathach (verily), one of the king’s eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai (little man) to learn what was troubling him and why. Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.
6 So Hathach (verily) went out to Mordecai (little man) in the city square in front of the king’s gate, Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate, So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate.
7 and Mordecai (little man) told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman (magnificent) had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews. and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.
8 Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa (lily) for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther (star), urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
9 So Hathach (verily) went back and relayed Mordecai’s (little man) response to Esther (star). And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.
10 Then Esther (star) spoke to Hathach (verily) and instructed him to tell Mordecai (little man), Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say, Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai,
11 “All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.” “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.” “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”
12 When Esther’s (star) words were relayed to Mordecai (little man), And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,
13 he (little man) sent back to her (star) this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther (star) sent this reply to Mordecai (little man): Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:
16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa (lily), and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you⁺ do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish (if I am destroyed, then I will be destroyed!)! “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
17 So Mordecai (little man) went and did all that Esther (star) had instructed him. Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him. So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
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