I sent word back to him, “We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination.”

But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Would someone like me flee to the temple in order to save his life? I will not go!”

In those days the aristocrats of Judah repeatedly sent letters to Tobiah, and responses from Tobiah were repeatedly coming to them.

Then the Levites – Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani – stood on the steps and called out loudly to the LORD their God.

Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.

As for the settlements with their fields, some of the people of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba and its neighboring villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its settlements,

the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace.

But he went no further than the king’s gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.

he said to take back this answer to Esther:

Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Mordecai wrote these matters down and sent letters to all the Jews who were throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” And Satan answered the Lord, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”

And the Lord said to Satan, “Where do you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”

Then they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, yet no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.

So they went, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, and did just as the Lord had told them; and the Lord had respect for Job.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.

For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed; he did not ignore him; when he cried out to him, he responded.

Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him! Let all the nations worship you!