Esther 4:8-12

4:8 He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated ¹  in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people. 4:9 So Hathach returned and related Mordecai’s instructions ²  to Esther.

4:10 Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai: 4:11 “All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable ³  to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court – that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. ⁴  Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!”

4:12 When Esther’s reply ⁵  was conveyed to Mordecai,

¹ tn Heb “given” (so KJV); NASB, NRSV, TEV, NLT “issued”; NIV “published”; NAB “promulgated.”

² tn Heb “the words of Mordecai” (so KJV); NIV, NRSV, CEV “what Mordecai had said”; NLT “with Mordecai’s message.”

³ tn Heb “one is his law”; NASB “he (the king NIV) has but one law”

⁴ tn Heb “and he will live”; KJV, ASV “that he may live”; NIV “and spare his life.”

⁴ tn Heb “the words of Esther”; TEV, NLT “Esther’s message.”