Esther 4

1Now when Mordecai knew 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;

1When Mordecai learned about everything that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, crying out loudly and bitterly.

2and he came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter within the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.

2He went only as far as the entrance to the king’s gate, because no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate wearing clothes made of burlap.

3And 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.

3In every province reached by the king’s command and decree, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many of them lay down in burlap and ashes.

4And Esther’s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved: and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he received it not.

4When Esther’s female servants and eunuchs came and told her about this, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take off his burlap, but he would not accept them.

5Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was.

5Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom the king had appointed to serve her. She ordered him to go to Mordecai to find out what was happening and why.

6So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king’s gate.

6So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate.

7And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.

7Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.

8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show 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.

8He also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Shushan that called for their destruction. He wanted Hathach to show it to Esther, explain it to her, and urge her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

9And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

9Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.

10Then Esther spake unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai, saying:

10Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai:

11All 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 for him, that he be put to death, except those 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.

11'All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that there is only one law for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being invited: that person must be put to death. The only exception is if the king holds out his gold scepter to them so that they may live. And I have not been summoned to see the king for thirty days.'

12And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

12When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,

13Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

13he sent back this answer to Esther: 'Do not think that because you are in the king’s palace you alone of all the Jews will escape.'

14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father’s house will perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

14'If you keep silent at a time like this, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows if you have reached your royal position for such a time as this?'

15Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai,

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:

16Go, 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 in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

16'Go, gather all the Jews who are in Shushan and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My attendants and I will fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.'

17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

17So Mordecai went away and did everything Esther had commanded him to do.