Esther 4:8-17 ▼

8 And a copy of the writing of the law that was given in Susa to destroy them he gave to him to show Esther, and to tell it to her, and to lay the charge upon her to come in to the king, to implore favor from him, and to seek from before his face concerning her people.

9 And Hathach came and told to Esther the words of Mordecai.

10 And Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him unto Mordecai:

11 “All the servants of the king and the people of the provinces of the king know that any man or woman who comes in to the king, into the inner court, who has not been called—there is one law: to put him to death, except to whom the king extends to him the golden scepter, and he shall live. And I—I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.”

12 And they told to Mordecai the words of Esther.

13 And Mordecai said to return to Esther, “You should not think in your soul to escape in the house of the king more than all the Jews.

14 For if you surely remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and the house of your father will perish. And who knows if perhaps for a time like this you have come to the kingdom?”

15 And Esther said to return to Mordecai:

16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast over me, and you? shall not eat and you? shall not drink for three days, night and day. Also I and my young women will fast likewise, and with this I will go to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish!”

17 And Mordecai passed by and did according to all that Esther commanded to him.