נִי

Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah;

and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.

and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.

I told them of the hand of my God which was good on me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I didn’t demand the governor’s pay, because the bondage was heavy on this people.

Remember me, my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come! Let’s meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me.

It grieved me severely. Therefore I threw all Tobiah’s household stuff out of the room.

Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don’t wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.

and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

Then Esther the queen answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.

For now should I have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept, then I would have been at rest,

For the thing which I fear comes on me, That which I am afraid of comes to me.

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

Did I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.

so am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

so am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

The eye of him who sees me will see me no more. Your eyes will be on me, but I will not be.

If I am wicked, woe to me. If I am righteous, I still will not lift up my head, being filled with disgrace, and conscious of my affliction.

If my head is held high, you hunt me like a lion. Again you show yourself powerful to me.

But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who doesn’t know such things as these?

This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

“Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time and remember me!

“I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare

You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.

He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

“My spirit is consumed. My days are extinct, and the grave is ready for me.

You have reproached me ten times. You aren’t ashamed that you attack me.

Even young children despise me. If I arise, they speak against me.

Even young children despise me. If I arise, they speak against me.

All my familiar friends abhor me. They whom I loved have turned against me.

“Have pity on me. Have pity on me, you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.

whom I, even I, will see on my side. My eyes will see, and not as a stranger. “My heart is consumed within me.

If you say, ‘How we will persecute him!’ because the root of the matter is found in me,

“Therefore my thoughts answer me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.