Study Desk

They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

Here we are today, slaves in the land You gave our ancestors so that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness. Here we are—slaves in it!

Didn't your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!"

When shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could enter during the Sabbath day.

"If it meets the king's approval, he should personally issue a royal decree. Let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media, so that it cannot be revoked: Vashti is not to enter King Ahasuerus's presence, and her royal position is to be given to another woman who is more worthy than she.

Let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom, so that they may assemble all the beautiful young women to the harem at the fortress of Susa. Put them under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women, and give them the required beauty treatments.

The young woman pleased him and gained his favor so that he accelerated the process of the beauty treatments and the special diet that she received. He assigned seven hand-picked female servants to her from the palace and transferred her and her servants to the harem's best quarters.

A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples so that they might get ready for that day.

Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and command her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people.

These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life and their memory will not fade from their descendants.

Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

He frustrates the schemes of the crafty so that they achieve no success.

He traps the wise in their craftiness so that the plans of the deceptive are quickly brought to an end.

so that I prefer strangling— death rather than life in this body.

If I have sinned, what have I done to You, Watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I have become a burden to You?

He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble.

Are my days not few? Stop it! Leave me alone, so that I can smile a little

Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you?

Only grant these two things to me, God, so that I will not have to hide from Your presence:

look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired hand.