Study Desk

"According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus delivered by the eunuchs?"

So King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Behold, I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and him they have hanged on the gallows because he had stretched out his hands against the Jews.

Even all the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who were doing the king's business assisted the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them.

because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. And because of the instructions in this letter, both what they had seen in this regard and what had happened to them,

Because it did not shut the opening of my mother's womb, Or hide trouble from my eyes.

Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts.

"For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.

"Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely.

Because he has stretched out his hand against God And conducts himself arrogantly against the Almighty.

"My eye has also grown dim because of grief, And all my members are as a shadow.

"Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation.

"Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.

"Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you, That He enters into judgment against you?

"His survivors will be buried because of the plague, And their widows will not be able to weep.

Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper.

"Because He has loosed His bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off the bridle before me.

If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate,

"For calamity from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty I can do nothing.

If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much;