Then the young men who attended the king suggested, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.

Let the king appoint officials in all the provinces of his kingdom to bring all the beautiful young virgins into the harem in Susa the capital. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women to give them their beauty treatments.

Then let the young woman who pleases the king rule in place of Vashti." This advice pleased the king, and he did this.

In the twelfth year of the reign of King Ahasuerus, in the first month (the month Nisan), the (that is, the lot) was cast in Haman's presence to determine the best day and month to carry out his plot. The lot indicated the twelfth month, the month Adar.

If the king approves, let it be decreed that they're to be destroyed, and I'll measure out 10,000 silver talents and bring it to the king's treasury for those who will do the work."

When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his garments and clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried out with a loud and bitter cry.

Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I've prepared for him."

If I've found favor with the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I'll prepare for them tomorrow, and then I'll do what the king has said."

The king's young men told him, "Look, Haman is standing in the courtyard." The king said, "Let him come in."

let them bring royal robes that the king has worn and a horse on which the king has ridden, with a royal crown placed on its head.

Then give the robes and the horse to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them put the robes on the man whom the king desires to honor, and let them put him on the horse in the main square of the city. Then let them announce in front of him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor.'"

Then the king told Haman, "Quick! Take the clothes and the horse just as you have suggested and do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits in the king's gate. And don't let anything you've suggested fall through the cracks."

Queen Esther answered: "If I've found favor with you, your majesty, and if it seems good to the king, let my life be given to me as my petition and my people as my request.

She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I've found favor with him, and if the matter is proper in the king's opinion, and if I'm pleasing to the king, let an order be issued revoking the letters devised by Hammedatha the Agagite's son Haman, which ordered the destruction of the Jewish people throughout the king's provinces.

For the Jewish people, there was light and joy, gladness and honor.

Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it also be granted to the Jewish people in Susa to do tomorrow what the edict allowed them to do today, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on poles."

The king said, "Let this be done." So an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman's ten sons were hanged on poles.

since Hammedatha's son Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people, had plotted against the Jewish people to destroy them, and he had cast the (that is, the lot) to determine when to confuse and destroy them.

"Let the day when I was born be annihilated, along with the night when it was announced, "It's a boy!'

Let that day be dark; let God above not care about it; let no light shine over it.

Let darkness and deep gloom reclaim it; let clouds settle down on it; let blackness in mid-day terrify it.

Let darkness carry that night away; let it not take its place joyfully among the days of the year; let it not be entered into the calendar.

"Yes, let that night be barren; let it not appear with its joyful shout.

Let whoever curses days curse it those who are ready to awaken monsters.

Let the stars of its evening twilight be dark; let it hope for light but let there be none; let it not see the breaking rays of the dawn.

"Or why was I not buried like a stillborn child, like babies who never saw the light?

"Why does God give light to the sufferer or life to the bitter person:

that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me!

Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake.

He won't let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness.

If I were to say, "Let me forget my complaint,' change the expression on my face, and look cheerful,

I'll say to God, "Don't condemn me! Let me know why you are fighting me.

Didn't you pour me out like milk and let me congeal like cheese?

If you have any iniquity, throw it far away. Don't let evil live in your residence.

Or ask the green plants of the earth and they'll teach you; let the fish in the sea tell you.

He uncovers the hidden dimensions from darkness, bringing what is in deep shadow to light.

They grope in the dark without light; he causes them to stagger around like a drunkard."

Then call and I'll answer, or let me speak and then you reply to me!"

"I'll tell you what, listen to me! Let me relate what I've seen,

Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.

"Because you're the one who closed their hearts to compassion; therefore, you won't let them triumph.

They have transformed night into day "The light,' they say, "is about to become dark.'

"Indeed, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame from his fire doesn't shine.

Light in his tent is dark, and his lamp goes out above him.

He is driven away from light to darkness, made to wander the landscape.

He is breaking me down on every side, and now it's too late for me; he has uprooted my hopes like a tree.

using an iron stylus with lead for ink! Then they'd be engraved in rock forever.

"Since his appetite won't quit; he won't let anything escape his lust.

"Listen carefully to my words; let this encourage all of you.

Bear with me and let me speak! Then, after I've spoken, you'll be free to mock me.

When you make a decision on something, it will be established for you, and light will brighten your way.

My feet stay where his footsteps lead; I kept on his pathway and haven't turned aside.

"Then there are those who rebel against the light; they are not acquainted with its ways; and they don't stay on its course.

Is there any limit to his armies? On whom does his light not shine?

He has delimited a boundary over the surface of the oceans as a limit between light and darkness.

He dams up flowing rivers, bringing hidden things to light."

I have hoped for good, but evil came instead; I have hoped for light, but darkness came.

let my righteousness be weighed in honest scales, and God will make known my integrity.

what I've planted, let another eat or let my crops be uprooted."

"If my heart has been seduced by a woman and I've laid in wait at my friend's door,

then let my wife cook for another person and may someone else sleep with her,

then let my arm fall from its socket; and may my arm be torn off at the shoulder.

if I've found joy in great wealth that I own, if I've earned a lot with my own hands,

"Who will grant me a hearing? Here's my signature let the Almighty answer! Since my adversary indicted me,

"So that you cannot claim, "We have found wisdom!' let God do the rebuking, not man;

let him not direct a rebuke toward me. I won't be responding to him with your arguments.

"Let me speak! I need relief! Let me open my lips and respond.

Let his flesh be rejuvenated as he was in his youth! Let him recover the strength of his youth.

Let him pray to God and he will accept him; he will appear before him with joyful shouts!"

He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit; my life will see the light.'

to bring back his soul from the Pit; to light him with the light of life."

"Job, pay attention! Listen to me! Be silent and let me speak.

let's choose what's right for us. Let's consider among ourselves what is good."

He doesn't let the wicked live; he grants justice to the afflicted.

So that no one entices you with riches, don't let a large ransom turn you astray.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of my earth? Tell me, since you're so informed!

On what were its bases set? Who laid its corner stone

Then from the wicked their light is withheld and their upraised arm is broken.

"Where is the road to where the light lives? Or where does the darkness live?

when they crouch down to give birth to their offspring, and let go of their birth pangs?

"Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? Let God's accuser answer."

"His snorting releases flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of the dawn.

"Let us tear off their shackles from us, and cast off their chains."

Let me announce the decree of the LORD that he told me: "You are my son, today I have become your father.

Many are asking, "Who will help us to see better days?" LORD, may the light of your favor shine upon us.

LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your path straight before me.

Declare them guilty, God! Let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them away because of their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.

Let all those who take refuge in you rejoice! Let them shout for joy forever, and may you protect them. Let those who love your name exult in you.

then, let my enemy pursue me, let him overtake me, and let him trample my life to the ground. Interlude Let him put my honor into the dust.

Let the assembly of the nations gather around you, and you will sit high above them.

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. For you are the righteous God who discerns the inner thoughts.

Rise up, LORD, do not let man prevail! The nations will be judged in your presence.

Make them afraid, LORD, Let the nations know that they are only human. Interlude

Look at me! Answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes! Otherwise, I will sleep in death;

The LORD is my inheritance and my cup; you support my lot.

In his anger smoke poured out of his nostrils, and consuming fire from his mouth; coals were lit from it.

The precepts of the LORD are upright, making the heart rejoice. The commandment of the LORD is pure, giving light to the eyes.

Preserve your servant from arrogant people; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be upright and acquitted of great wickedness.

I trust in you, my God, do not let me be ashamed; do not let my enemies triumph over me.

Do not remember my youthful sins and transgressions; but remember me in light of your gracious love, in light of your goodness, LORD.