Judges 3
1 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ସହେି ଭୂମିର ରହିବା ପାଇଁ ସହେି ଜାତିକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଅନକ୍ସ୍ଟମତି ଦେଲେ। ସେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଏହିପରି ପରୀକ୍ଷା କଲେ। ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ଯରକ୍ସ୍ଟ କହେି ଜଣେ ସହେି ସମୟରେ ହରାଇବାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ କିଣାନ ଦେଶର ୟକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଲଢାଇ କରିନଥିଲେ।
2 ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ସହେି ଭୂମିରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଅନ୍ୟ ଜାତିକକ୍ସ୍ଟ କାହାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ବିତାଡିତ କରି ନଥିଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଏହିପରି କଲେ, ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଶିଖାଇଲେ ଯେଉଁମାନେ କିଣାନ ଦେଶ ବିରକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ଧ କରି ନଥିଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଭୂମିକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପରିତ୍ଯାଗ କରି, ଏହି ଜାତିର ସୂଚି ଅଟେ।
3 ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନଙ୍କ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଅଧିପତି, ବାଲ୍ହର୍ମୋନ ପର୍ବତଠାରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ହମାତ ରେ ପ୍ରବେଶିବା ପଥ ପର୍ପ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଲିବା ନୋନ ପର୍ବତ ନିବାସୀ ସମସ୍ତ କିଣାନୀଯ ସୀଦୋନୀଯ ଏବଂ ହିଦ୍ଦୀଯ ଲୋକମାନେ।
4 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରୀକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସହେି ଜାତିଗକ୍ସ୍ଟଡିକ ଭୂମିରେ ପରିତ୍ଯାଗ କଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଦେଖିବାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଚାହିଁଲେ, ଯଦି ଏହି ଲୋକମାନେ ମାଶାଙ୍କେ ଦ୍ବାରା ସମାନଙ୍କେର ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ଦଖାୟୋଇଥିବା ଆଦେଶଗକ୍ସ୍ଟଡିକ ମାନକ୍ସ୍ଟଛନ୍ତି।
5 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲୀୟ କିଣାନୀଯ, ହିତ୍ତୀଯ, ଇ ମାରେିଯ, ପରିଷୀଯ, ହିଦ୍ଦୀଯ, ଏବଂ ୟିବକ୍ସ୍ଟଷୀଯ ସହିତ ବାସ କଲେ।
6 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲୀୟ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ଝିଅମାନଙ୍କୁ ବିବାହ କରିବାକୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ। ସମାନେେ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ଝିଅମାନଙ୍କୁ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ପକ୍ସ୍ଟଅମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ବିବାହ କରିବାକୁ ଅନକ୍ସ୍ଟମତି ଦେଲେ। ଏହା ବ୍ଯତିତ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲୀତ ସହେି ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ଦବେତାଗଣକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପୂଜା କଲେ।
7 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲିର ଲୋକମାନେ ସବୁ ପ୍ରକାର କର୍ମ ରେ ରତ ଥିଲେ। ଯାହାସବୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଚକ୍ଷକ୍ସ୍ଟ ରେ ପାପ ଥିଲା। ଏବଂ ବାଲ୍ ଦେଶର ଦବେତାଗଣଙ୍କର ପୂଜା କଲେ ଏବଂ ଆଶରୋ ଏବଂ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବିଷଯସବୁ ପାଶୋରି ଗଲେ।
8 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କୋପ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲବାସୀଙ୍କ ଉପରେ ପଡିଲା। ତେଣୁ ସେ ଅରାମ ନହରଯିମର ରାଜା କୂଶନରିଶିଯାଥଯିମର ହସ୍ତ ରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲବାସୀଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପରାସ୍ତ କଲେ। ତେଣୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲବାସୀମାନେ ଆଠବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ତାଙ୍କର ସବୋ କଲେ।
9 ଏହାପରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ରନ୍ଦନ କଲେ। ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ସାହାୟ୍ଯ ଓ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଏକ ଲୋକ ପଠାଇଲେ। ସହେି ଲୋକର ନାମ ଥିଲା ଅତ୍ନୀଯଲେ। ସେ ଥିଲେ କାଲବଙ୍କେର ସାନ ଭାଇ କନସରର ପକ୍ସ୍ଟତ୍ର।
10 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କର ଆତ୍ମା ତାଙ୍କଠା ରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲାରକ୍ସ୍ଟ, ସେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ବିଗ୍ଭର କଲେ, ଓ ୟକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ଆଗଇେ ଆସିଲେ। ଏବଂ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କୂଶନ ରିଶିଯାଥଯିମକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଅରାମୀଯର ରାଜାଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ହରାଇବା ରେ ଅତ୍ନୀଯଲଙ୍କେ ସାହାୟ୍ଯ କରିଥିଲେ ଓ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଆଯତ କଲେ।
11 ଅତଯବ, ଗ୍ଭଳିଷ ବର୍ଷ ପାଇଁ ସହେି ଭୂମି ଶାନ୍ତି ରେ ରହିଲା। କନ୍ସର ପକ୍ସ୍ଟତ୍ର ଅତ୍ନୀଯଲେ ମୃତକ୍ସ୍ଟ୍ଯବରଣ କଲା ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ।
12 ଏହାପରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନେ ସହେିସବୁ କଲେ, ଯାହା ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମନ୍ଦ ବୋଲି କହିଥିଲେ। ତେଣୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଇଗ୍ଲୋନ, ମାୟୋବର ରାଜା ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ହରାଇବାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ତିଆରି କଲେ।
13 ରାଜା ସେ ଅମ୍ମୋନ୍ ଓ ଅମାଲକେ ସହିତ ସଂୟକ୍ସ୍ଟକ୍ତ ତିଆରି କଲେ। ସମାନେେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କଲେ। ସମାନେେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ପରାସ୍ତ କଲେ ଏବଂ ଖଜର୍କ୍ସ୍ଟର (ଯିରିହାେ) ରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ତଡି ଦେଲେ। ଏବଂ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲମାନଙ୍କୁ ଖଜର୍କ୍ସ୍ଟରପକ୍ସ୍ଟରର ସହରକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଅଧିକାର କଲେ।
14 ମାୟୋବଙ୍କର ରାଜା ଇଲ୍ଲୋନ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଉପରେ ଅଠର ବର୍ଷ ଶାସନ କଲେ।
15 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ରନ୍ଦନ କଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଉଦ୍ଧାର କର୍ତ୍ତାଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପଠାଇଲେ। ସହେି ଲୋକ ଜଣଙ୍କ ଥିଲେ ଏହୂଦ୍। ଏହକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ ଥିଲେ ବିନ୍ଯାମିନୀଯ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗର ଗରୋର ପକ୍ସ୍ଟତ୍ର। ତାଙ୍କର ବାମହାତ ରେ ୟକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ୍ଧ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷିତ ହାଇେଥିଲେ। ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଲୋକମାନେ ତାଙ୍କଦ୍ବାରା ମାୟୋବୀଯର ରାଜା ଇଲ୍ଲୋନଙ୍କ ନିକଟକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଭଟେି ପଠାଇଲେ।
16 ଏହକ୍ସ୍ଟଦ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଖଣ୍ତା ନିର୍ମାଣ କଲେ। ଯାହାର ର୍ଦୈଘ୍ଯ ଥିଲା ଅଠର ଇଞ୍ଚ ଲମ୍ବା ଏବଂ ଦ୍ବିଧାର ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଥିଲା। ଏହାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ତାଙ୍କର ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଜଂଘ ରେ ବସ୍ତ୍ର ଭିତ ରେ ବାନ୍ଧି କଖିଲେ।
17 ତେଣୁ ସେ ମାୟୋବୀଯ ରାଜା ଇଗ୍ଲୋନ୍ ନିକଟକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ସହେି ଉପହାର ନେଲେ। ଇଗ୍ଲୋନ୍ ବଡ ମାଟେ ଲୋକ ଥିଲେ।
18 ସେ ଭଟେୀ ନଇେସାରିବା ପରେ ସହେି ଉପହାର ବହନ କରିଥିବା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଠାେରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପଠାଇ ଦେଲେ। ସମାନେେ ରାଜା ପ୍ରାସାଦଠାରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଗଲେ।
19 ଏହୂଦ୍ ଜାଣିଲେ ଏବଂ ପକ୍ସ୍ଟର୍ତ୍ତୀ ନିକଟ ଗିଲଗଲସ୍ଥକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଗଲେ, ତା'ପରେ ସେ ଫରେି ଆସି ରାଜାଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଭଟେି ଏହୂଦ୍ କହିଲେ, ମୁ ଆପଣାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଗକ୍ସ୍ଟଲ୍ଗ ଖବର ଆଣିଛି।
20 ଏହୂଦ୍ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଗଲେ। ସହେି ସମୟରେ, ଇଲ୍ଲୋନ ଉଚ୍ଚ ସିଂହାସନ ମଂଚ ଉପରେ ବସିଥିଲେ, ଏହା କବଳେ ତାଙ୍କର ଥିଲା।
21 ଯଟେେ ବେଳେ ରାଜା ଉଠି ପଡିଲେ, ଏହୂଦ୍ ତାଙ୍କର ବାମ ହାତ ରେ ବ୍ଯବହୃତ ଖଣ୍ତା ବାହାର କଲେ ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଜଂଘରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଏବଂ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ପଟେ ରେ ଭୂଷି ଦେଲେ।
22 ଏହୂଦ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ପଟେ ରେ ଖଡ୍ଗ ପକ୍ସ୍ଟରାଇଲା ବେଳେ, ତାଙ୍କର ଖଡ୍ଗ ସହିତ ମକ୍ସ୍ଟଠା ମଧ୍ଯ ପଶିଗଲା। ଚର୍ବି ସଐକ୍ସ୍ଟର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଖଣ୍ତା ରେ ଲାଗି ରହିଥିଲା। ଏହୂଦ୍ ଖଡ୍ଗ ବାହାର କଲେ ନାହିଁ। ଇଲ୍ଲୋନ ଖଡ୍ଗଘାତ ହେଲା ପରେ, ସେ ନିଜର କ୍ଷମତା ଅନ୍ତବକ୍ସ୍ଟଜକ୍ସ୍ଟଳା ଉପରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ହରାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ମଳ ପଦାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ବାହାରି ଆସିଥିଲା।
23 ଏହାପରେ ଏହୂଦ ଘରର ବାହାର ଓ ଭିତର କବାଟ ବନ୍ଦ କଲେ ଏବଂ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ତାଲା ପକାଇ ଦେଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ସିଂହାସନ ଘର ଆଡକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଲେ ଏବଂ ନିମ୍ନ ରେ ଥିବା ନିଜ ପାଇଖାନା ରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲେ।
24 ତାହାପରେ ଏହୂଦ୍ ମୂଖ ଛାଡିଲେ ଏବଂ ଏଲ୍ଲୋନର ଦାସମାନେ ଆସିଲେ। ଯେତବେେଳେ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସିଂହାସନ ଘରର ଫାଟକ ବନ୍ଦ ହାଇେଥିଲା, ଦାସମାନେ କହିଲେ, ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କର ନିଜର କୋଠରି ମଧିଅରେ ଆରାମ ନେଉଛନ୍ତି।
25 ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ସଠାେରେ ବହକ୍ସ୍ଟତ ସମୟ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କଲେ କିନ୍ତୁ କବାଟଗକ୍ସ୍ଟଡିକ ଆଦୌ ଖାଲିେଲା ନାହିଁ। ସର୍ବଶଷେ ରେ ଦାସମାନେ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ର୍ଧୈୟ୍ଯ ହରାଇଲେ। ସମାନେେ ସେ ଗ୍ଭବି ପାଇଲେ କବାଟ ଖାଲିେଲେ ଓ ଭିତ ରେ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲେ। ସଠାେରେ ସମାନେେ ଚଟାଣ ଉପରେ ରାଜା ମରି ପଡିଥିବାର ସମାନେେ ପାଇଲେ।
26 ଦାସମାନେ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସଠାେରେ କିଛି ସମୟ ଅପେକ୍ଷା କଲେ। ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଏହୂଦ୍ ସେ ସ୍ଥାନ ଛାଡି ପଳାଇଗଲେ। ଏହୂଦ୍ ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ବାଟଦଇେ ସିଯୀରାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପଳାଇଗଲେ।
27 ଏହୂଦଦ୍ ଯେତବେେଳେ ସିଯୀରା ରେ ପହଁଞ୍ଚିଲେ, ସେ ଇଫ୍ରଯିମ ପର୍ବତମଯ ଦେଶ ରେ ତୂରୀ ବଜାଇଲେ। ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣ ତୂରୀର ଶଦ୍ଦଶକ୍ସ୍ଟଣି ପର୍ବତରକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଆସିଲେ। ଏହୂଦ୍ ସମାନଙ୍କେର ନତେୃତ୍ବ ନେଲେ।
28 ଏହୂଦ୍ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ସନ୍ତାନଗଣଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ କହିଲେ, ମାେତେ ଅନକ୍ସ୍ଟସରଣ କର, ଯେପରି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ଶତୃ ମାଯାେବୀଯ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ, ତକ୍ସ୍ଟମ୍ଭ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ସମର୍ପଣ କରିଅଛନ୍ତି।
29 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ଲୋକମାନେ ମାୟୋବର 10,000 ସାହାସୀ ଓ ବଳବାନ୍ ଯୋଦ୍ଧାମାନଙ୍କୁ ହତ୍ଯା କଲେ। କୌଣସି ଗୋଟିଏ ହେଲେ ମାୟୋବର ଲୋକଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ପଳାଇ ୟିବାକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ସମାନେେ ଦେଲେ ନାହିଁ।
30 ଏହିପରି ମାୟୋବ ସହେିଦିନ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଅଧିନ ରେ ବଶିଭୂତ ହେଲା। ତେଣୁ ଦେଶ ଅଶି ବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଶାନ୍ତି ରେ ରହିଲା।
31 ଏହୂଦ୍ଙ୍କ ପରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆଉ ଜଣେ ରକ୍ଷା କଲେ। ସେ ଶମ୍ଗାର, ଅନାତର ପକ୍ସ୍ଟତ୍ର ଥିଲେ। ସେ 600 ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ଲୋକଙ୍କକ୍ସ୍ଟ ଗୋକଣ୍ଟକ ପଞ୍ଚମ ଦ୍ବାରା ହତ୍ଯା କଲେ। ସେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକକ୍ସ୍ଟ ମଧ୍ଯ ରକ୍ଷା କଲେ।
1 Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
2 Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
3 Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
4 And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
8 Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.
9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
10 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.
11 And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord.
13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.
14 So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
17 And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.
18 And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.
19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.
20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.
24 When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.
25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
27 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
28 And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the Lord hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.
29 And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.
30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.
31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.
3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate.
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.