Study Desk

And in the drawing nigh of the turn of each young woman to come in unto the king Ahasuerus, at the end of there being to her -- according to the law of the women -- twelve months, for so they fulfil the days of their purifications; six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with spices, and with the purifications of women,

and all servants of the king, who [are] in the gate of the king, are bowing and doing obeisance to Haman, for so hath the king commanded for him; and Mordecai doth not bow nor do obeisance.

`Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Shushan, and fast for me, and do not eat nor drink three days, by night and by day; also I and my young women do fast likewise, and so I go in unto the king, that [is] not according to law, and when I have perished -- I have perished.'

And the king saith to Haman, `Haste, take the clothing and the horse, as thou hast spoken, and do so to Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting in the gate of the king; there doth not fall a thing of all that thou hast spoken.'

And the king Ahasuerus saith, yea, he saith to Esther the queen, `Who [is] he -- this one? and where [is] this one? -- he whose heart hath filled him to do so?'

And the king saith -- `to be done so;' and a law is given in Shushan, and the ten sons of Haman they have hanged.

So I have been caused to inherit months of vanity, And nights of misery they numbered to me.

Consumed hath been a cloud, and it goeth, So he who is going down to Sheol cometh not up.

So [are] the paths of all forgetting God, And the hope of the profane doth perish,

Truly I have known that [it is] so, And what -- is man righteous with God?

I -- to man [is] my complaint? and if [so], wherefore May not my temper become short?

So as to set on the dust a defence, And on a rock of the valleys a covering.

And he hath travelled for company With workers of iniquity, So as to go with men of wickedness.

None so fierce that he doth awake him, And who [is] he before Me stationeth himself?

And now, take to you seven bullocks and seven rams, and go ye unto My servant Job, and ye have caused a burnt-offering to ascend for you; and Job My servant doth pray for you, for surely his face I accept, so as not to do with you folly, because ye have not spoken concerning Me rightly, like My servant Job.

Not so the wicked: But -- as chaff that wind driveth away!

So that I recount all Thy praise, In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I rejoice on Thy salvation.

So that honour doth praise Thee, and is not silent, O Jehovah, my God, to the age I thank Thee!

To the Overseer. -- An Instruction. By sons of Korah. As a hart doth pant for streams of water, So my soul panteth toward Thee, O God.

They have seen -- so they have marvelled, They have been troubled, they were hastened away.