Would

He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.

You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.

You were patient with them for many years, and Your Spirit admonished them through Your prophets. Yet they would not listen, so You gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.

For even while they were in their kingdom, with the abundant goodness that You had given them, and in the spacious and fertile land that You had set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.

And every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn about Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.

When the young woman would go to the king, she was given whatever she requested to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace.

She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

She would go there in the evening, and in the morning she would return to a second harem under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he delighted in her and summoned her by name.

All the royal servants at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.

Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.

A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.

When Esther’s maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.

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?”

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 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.”

Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

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?”

A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

…that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

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

But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

…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.

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

Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.

Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; were He to move, I would not recognize Him.

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.

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

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

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

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

…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.

Your hands shaped me and altogether formed me. Would You now turn and destroy me?

Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?

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

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

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

But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

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

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

Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?

Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.

Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?

Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?

Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?

Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?

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!

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.

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

My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.

My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity.

But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.

But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.

If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my disgrace against me,

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’

Behold, I know your thoughts full well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

I would learn how He would answer, and consider what He would say.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

Would He contend with me in His great power? No, He would certainly take note of me.

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.

For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged.

For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.

…though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

…this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

…this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

…because I greatly feared the crowds and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so that I kept silent and would not go outside—

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

…all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

…all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?

Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

He leaves a glistening wake behind him; one would think the deep had white hair!

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!