1 When Mordecai learned what had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and walked through the city crying bitterly and loudly.
2 But he came only as far as the king's gate, for no one in sackcloth was allowed to enter.
3 In every province where the king's edict was read, there was great mourning among the Jews; fasting and weeping with lamentation, and many of them slept on sackcloth and ashes.
4 Queen Esther's maids and eunuchs informed her about Mordecai. Overcome with grief, she sent clothes for Mordecai to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he refused.
5 Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend to her, and ordered him to find out the reason for Mordecai's action.
6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the king's gate.
7 Mordecai told him all that had happened, as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to contribute to the royal treasury.
8 He also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree for their destruction, to show and explain to Esther. He further told him to urge her to go to the king to beg for mercy and intercede for her people: "Remember the days of your lowly estate when you were brought up in my charge. Haman, who is next to the king, has asked for our death. Pray to the Lord and speak to the king for us. Save us from death."
9 Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.
10 In reply, Esther gave Hathach this message for Mordecai,
11 "All the king's servants and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned suffers the death penalty, unless the king grants them their life by holding out to them his golden scepter. But I have not been called to go to the king for thirty days now."
12 When Mordecai received Esther's words,
13 he sent back this answer, "Do not suppose that because you are in the king's palace, you alone of all the Jews will escape.
14 If you remain silent now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows - perhaps you have come to the throne for just such a time as this."
15 Esther sent back her reply to Mordecai,
16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are in Susa. Fast for me - all of you; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will also fast. Then I will go to the king, even if it is against the law. If I die for this, let it be."
17 Mordecai went away and carried out Esther's instructions.
Versículos relacionados com Esther, 4:
Esther 4 reports the anguish of Mordecai and all Jews before the Assyrian king's decree authorizing the execution of all Jews. Esther, who is Jewish, is informed by Mordecai about the situation and encouraged to talk to the king to intercede for his people. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Esther 4:
Deuteronomy 31:6: "Strong and courageous thirst; do not fear, nor fear you before them; For the Lord, your God, is the one who will let you not let you, nor will you." Just as Mordochew encouraged Esther to be brave, this verse encourages God's people to be strong and brave, trusting that God will always accompany them.
Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear, because I am with you; do not haunt yourself, because I am your God; I strengthen you, and help you, and I support you with my faithful right hand." This verse is another passage that encourages believers not to be afraid, trusting in God's power to help them in all situations.
Philippians 4:6-7: "Be not restless for anything; before, your petitions are in all known before God for prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding, will keep Your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. " This verse shows the importance of prayer and gratitude in difficult times, and that God is able to bring us peace even in the midst of anguish.
Hebrews 13:6: "So, having the Lord care of us, we do not fear, therefore, to say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what the man may do to me." This verse reinforces the idea that God is our helper and protector, and that we need not fear anything that men can do.
Psalm 34:4: "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." This psalm shows how the psalmist sought God in a moment of fear and anguish and was heard and rescued by him. This verse can encourage believers to seek God in prayer, even in difficult times.
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