For

Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,

The king inquired, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?” “Nothing has been done for him,” replied the king’s attendants.

The king inquired, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?” “Nothing has been done for him,” replied the king’s attendants.

“Who is in the court?” the king asked. Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.

Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?”

And Haman told the king, “For the man whom the king is delighted to honor,

Let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them array the man the king wants to honor and parade him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!’”

So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai, and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, “This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!”

Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him.”

For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.”

In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.

In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.

In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.

Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king.

So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.

For how could I bear to see the disaster that would befall my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?”

Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”

For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.

For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

This is why the rural Jews, who live in the villages, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting. It is a holiday for sending gifts to one another.

For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.

For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”

“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.

“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.

May its morning stars grow dark; may it wait in vain for daylight; may it not see the breaking of dawn.

For that night did not shut the doors of the womb to hide the sorrow from my eyes.

For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest

…with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves cities now in ruins,

…who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,

…who long for death that does not come, and search for it like hidden treasure,

For the thing I feared has overtaken me, and what I dreaded has befallen me.

I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come.”

The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

For distress does not spring from the dust, and trouble does not sprout from the ground.

For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal.

For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.”

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.

Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.

The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.

I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For soon I will lie down in the dust; You will seek me, but I will be no more.”

But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,

For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.

His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.

For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.

Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court.

…and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?

Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.

For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.

You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.

If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me!

For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.

He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.”

For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

Are the consolations of God not enough for you, even words spoken gently to you?

A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.

He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.

He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.

For he has stretched out his hand against God and has vaunted himself against the Almighty,

Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.

For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.

For when only a few years are past I will go the way of no return.

If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail.

But come back and try again, all of you. For I will not find a wise man among you.

If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness,

…where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?

For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.

Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.

I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth.

Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me.

I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!

His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth.

For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.

Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.