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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. 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. 9 So Hathach (verily) went back and relayed Mordecai’s (little man) response to Esther (star). 10 Then Esther (star) spoke to Hathach (verily) and instructed him to tell Mordecai (little man), 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.” 12 When Esther’s (star) words were relayed to Mordecai (little man), 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. 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?” 15 Then Esther (star) sent this reply to Mordecai (little man): 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!)! 17 So Mordecai (little man) went and did all that Esther (star) had instructed him. Esther 4:7-17, Berean Annotated Bible. Public domain.
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