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Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:

Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request:

If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.

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.”

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?”

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?”

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.”

…saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

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.”

“May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’

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

I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.

Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it.

…fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder.

Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled.

Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled.

It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice:

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him—

“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

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.

My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

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

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope.

Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

…so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.

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

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

Will You never look away from me, or leave me alone to swallow my spittle?

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.”

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.”

How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him?

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

If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.

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

He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness.

Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.

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

My days are swifter than a runner; they flee without seeing good.

If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’

If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’

I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.

If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

…then You would plunge me into the pit, and even my own clothes would despise me.

Then I would speak without fear of Him. But as it is, I am on my own.

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.

…that You should seek my iniquity and search out my sin—

…that You should seek my iniquity and search out my sin—

You have granted me life and loving devotion, and Your care has preserved my spirit.

If I sinned, You would take note, and would not acquit me of my iniquity.

If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.

If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.

Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.

Are my days not few? Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort,

You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.

“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.

“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.

Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.

Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

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

Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

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.