Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her. Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.

The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king’s edict without delay. And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well.

I am a laughingstock to my friends, I, who called on God and whom he answered – a righteous and blameless man is a laughingstock!

“But there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.

You may say, ‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his children!’ Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may know it!

The womb forgets him, the worm feasts on him, no longer will he be remembered. Like a tree, wickedness will be broken down.

He entreats God, and God delights in him, he sees God’s face with rejoicing, and God restores to him his righteousness.

Evil men draw their swords and prepare their bows, to bring down the oppressed and needy, and to slaughter those who are godly.

Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.

How blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and does not seek help from the proud or from liars!

They spend all their time planning how to bring him down. They love to use deceit; they pronounce blessings with their mouths, but inwardly they utter curses. (Selah)

For the music director; to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm, a song. May God show us his favor and bless us! May he smile on us! (Selah)

so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them.

You cause those who know me to keep their distance; you make me an appalling sight to them. I am trapped and cannot get free.

The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me.

They will perish, but you will endure. They will wear out like a garment; like clothes you will remove them and they will disappear.

Proud men hide a snare for me; evil men spread a net by the path; they set traps for me. (Selah)

Look to the right and see! No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life.

The mandrakes send out their fragrance; over our door is every delicacy, both new and old, which I have stored up for you, my lover.

Those remaining in Zion, those left in Jerusalem, will be called “holy,” all in Jerusalem who are destined to live.