Esther 4

Mordecai Mourns the Decree

1 When Mordecai found out everything that had gone down, he tore his clothes, put on rough burlap and ashes, and went out into the city crying loud and bitter.

2 He came as far as the king’s gate, but no one dressed in burlap could go in.

3 In every province where the king’s order reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, fasting, weeping, and wailing. Many lay in burlap and ashes.

Esther Hears About Mordecai

4 When Esther’s attendants and eunuchs told her about Mordecai, she was deeply troubled. She sent him clothes to replace the burlap, but he would not take them.

5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to her, and told him to find out what was going on with Mordecai and why.

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

7 Mordecai told him everything that happened, including how much silver Haman promised to put into the king’s treasury to pay for the destruction of the Jews.

8 He gave Hathach a copy of the decree to show Esther, to explain it, and to tell her to go to the king and beg for mercy for her people.

Esther Hesitates

9 Hathach went back and gave Esther Mordecai’s message.

10 Esther told Hathach to take this reply to Mordecai:

11 “Everybody knows that for any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being called, there is only one law, they get put to death, unless the king holds out the gold scepter and spares them. And I have not been called to the king for thirty days.”

Mordecai’s Famous Response

12 When Mordecai heard Esther’s words,

13 He sent back this answer: “Do not think for a second that just because you are in the palace you will escape when all the other Jews are killed.

14 If you stay silent right now, relief and rescue will come for the Jews from somewhere else, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows, Maybe you were put in this royal position for just this moment.”

Esther Steps Up

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:

16 “Go gather all the Jews in Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My attendants and I will do the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I die, I die.”

17 So Mordecai went and did everything Esther told him.