Dual Panel1Now when Mordecai <04782> became aware <03045> of all <03605> that <0834> had been done <06213>, he <04782> tore <07167> his garments <0899> and put on <03847> sackcloth <08242> and ashes <0665>. He went out <03318> into <08432> the city <05892>, crying out <02199> in a loud <01419> and bitter <04751> voice <02201>.
2But he went <0935> no further <05704> than the king’s <04428> gate <08179>, for <03588> no one <0369> was permitted to enter <0935> the king’s <04428> gate <08179> clothed <03830> in sackcloth <08242>.
3Throughout each <04082> and every <03605> province <04082> where <04725> the king’s <04428> edict <01697> and law <01881> were announced <05060> there was considerable <01419> mourning <060> among the Jews <03064>, along with fasting <06685>, weeping <01065>, and sorrow <04553>. Sackcloth <08242> and ashes <0665> were characteristic <03331> of many <07227>.
4When Esther’s <0635> female attendants <05291> and her eunuchs <05631> came <0935> and informed <05046> her about Mordecai’s behavior, the queen <04436> was overcome <03966> with anguish <02342>. Although she sent <07971> garments <0899> for Mordecai <04782> to put on <03847> so that he could remove <05493> his sackcloth <08242>, he would not <03808> accept <06901> them.
5So Esther <0635> called <07121> for Hathach <02047>, one of the king’s <04428> eunuchs <05631> who <0834> had been placed <05975> at <06440> her service <06440>, and instructed <06680> him to find out <03045> the cause <02088> <04100> and reason <02088> <04100> for Mordecai’s <04782> behavior.
6So Hathach <02047> went to <0413> Mordecai <04782> at the plaza <07339> of the city <05892> in front <06440> of the king’s <04428> gate <08179>.
7Then Mordecai <04782> related <05046> to him everything <03605> that had happened <07136> to him, even the specific amount <06575> of money <03701> that <0834> Haman <02001> had offered to pay <08254> to the king’s <04428> treasuries <01595> for <05921> the Jews <03064> to be destroyed <06>.
8He also gave <05414> him a written <03791> copy <06572> of the law <01881> that <0834> had been disseminated <05414> in Susa <07800> for their destruction <08045> so that he could show <07200> it to Esther <0635> and talk <05046> to her about it. He also gave instructions <06680> that she should go <0935> to <0413> the king <04428> to implore <02603> him and petition <01245> him on behalf of <05921> her people <05971>.
9So Hathach <02047> returned <0935> and related <05046> Mordecai’s <04782> instructions <01697> to Esther <0635>.
10Then Esther <0635> replied <0559> to Hathach <02047> with instructions <06680> for <0413> Mordecai <04782>:
11“All <03605> the servants <05650> of the king <04428> and the people <05971> of the king’s <04428> provinces <04082> know <03045> that <0834> there is only one <0259> law <01881> applicable to any <03605> man <0376> or woman <0802> who <0834> comes <0935> uninvited <07121> <03808> to <0413> the king <04428> in the inner <06442> court <02691>– that person will be put to death <04191>, unless <0905> the king <04428> extends <03447> to him the gold <02091> scepter <08275>, permitting him to be spared <02421>. Now I <0589> have not <03808> been invited <07121> to come <0935> to <0413> the king <04428> for some thirty <07970> days <03117>!”
12When Esther’s <0635> reply <01697> was conveyed <05046> to Mordecai <04782>,
13he <04782> said <0559> to take back <07725> this answer to <0413> Esther <0635>:
14“Don’t imagine that because you are part of the king’s household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If <0518> you keep <02790> quiet <02790> at this <02063> time <06256>, liberation <07305> and protection <02020> for the Jews <03064> will appear <05975> from another <0312> source <04725>, while you <0859> and your father’s <01> household <01004> perish <06>. It may very well be that you have achieved <05060> royal status <04438> for such a time <06256> as this <02063>!”
15Then Esther <0635> sent <0559> this reply <07725> to <0413> Mordecai <04782>:
16“Go <01980>, assemble <03664> all <03605> the Jews <03064> who are found <04672> in Susa <07800> and fast <06684> in <05921> my behalf. Don’t <0408> eat <0398> and don’t <0408> drink <08354> for three <07969> days <03117>, night <03915> or day <03117>. My female attendants <05291> and I <0589> will also <01571> fast <06684> in the same <03651> way. Afterward <03651> I will go <0935> to <0413> the king <04428>, even though it violates the law <01881>. If I perish <06>, I perish <06>!”
17So Mordecai <04782> set out <05674> to do <06213> everything <03605> that <0834> Esther <0635> had instructed <06680> him.