Esther 4 - Expanded Bible (EXB)

Mordecai Asks Esther to Help

4 When Mordecai ·heard [learned] about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth] and ashes [C signs of grief or repentance], and went out into the city ·crying [wailing] loudly and ·painfully [bitterly]. 2 But Mordecai went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one was allowed to enter that gate dressed in ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth]. 3 As the king’s ·order [edict; decree] reached every area, there was great ·sadness and loud crying [mourning] among the Jews. They fasted and ·cried out loud [wept and wailed], and many of them lay down on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth] and ashes [C signs of grief or repentance].

4 When Esther’s ·servant girls [maids; attendants] and eunuchs came to her and told her about Mordecai, she was ·very upset and afraid [deeply distressed; overcome with anguish]. She sent clothes for Mordecai to put on instead of the ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth], but he would not ·wear [accept] them. 5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs chosen by the king to serve her. Esther ordered him to find out what was bothering Mordecai and why.

6 So Hathach went to Mordecai, who was in the city square in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told Hathach everything that had happened to him, and he told Hathach about the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasury for the ·killing [destruction] of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the ·order [edict; decree] to ·kill [destroy] the Jews, which had been ·given [issued] in Susa. He wanted Hathach to show it to Esther and to ·tell her about [explain] it. And Mordecai told him to ·order [direct; instruct] Esther to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and to ·plead with [petition] him for her people.

9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther everything Mordecai had ·said [instructed]. 10 Then Esther told Hathach to tell Mordecai, 11 “All the ·royal officers [ministers; officials] and people of the ·royal [king’s] ·states [provinces] know that no man or woman may ·go [come] to the king in the inner courtyard ·without being called [uninvited]. ·There is [He has] only one law about this: Anyone who enters must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter. Then that person may live. And I have not been ·called [summoned; invited] to go to the king for thirty days.”

12 Esther’s ·message [L words] was given to Mordecai. 13 Then Mordecai sent back ·word [this answer/reply] to Esther: “Just because you ·live in [are part of] the king’s ·palace [L house], don’t ·think [imagine] that out of all the Jews you alone will escape. 14 If you keep ·quiet [silent] at this time, ·someone else will help and save the Jews [liberation/relief and protection/deliverance for the Jews will arise/appear from another place], but you and your ·father’s family [relatives] will all die. And who knows, you may have ·been chosen queen [come to your royal position; L come to the kingdom] for just such a time as this.”

15 Then Esther sent this answer to Mordecai: 16 “Go and ·get [assemble] all the Jews in Susa together. ·For my sake [On my behalf], fast; do not eat or drink for three days, night ·and [or] day. I and my ·servant girls [maids; attendants] will also fast. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I die, I die.”

17 So Mordecai went away and did everything Esther had ·told [commanded; instructed] him to do.

You Might Also Like:

Esther 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 And Mordecai hath known all that hath been done, and Mordecai rendeth his garments, and putteth on sackcloth and ashes, and goeth forth into the midst of the city and crieth -- a cry loud and bitter, 2 and he cometh in unto the front of the gate of the king, but none is to come in unto the gate of...
Read More

Esther 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 And when Mordecai had heard these things, he rent his clothes, and he was clothed in a sackcloth, and he sprinkled ashes upon his head, and he cried with great voice in the street of the midst of the city, and showed the bitterness of his soul, (And when Mordecai had heard these things, he tore hi...
Read More

Esther 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, and wailed loudly and bitterly. 2 He came even before the king’s gate, for no one is allowed inside the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 In ev...
Read More

Esther 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 Mordecai mourned when he found out what had happened. He ripped his clothes, put on sackcloth, and wiped ash onto his body. Then he went through the city, weeping loudly in anguish. 2 When he came to the king’s gate, not far from the palace, he stopped since those wearing sackcloth were not permi...
Read More

Esther 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

If I Perish!4 When Mordecai learned all that was done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city crying out in a loud and bitter voice. 2 He went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one could enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 In ea...
Read More

Esther 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mor′decai learned all that had been done, Mor′decai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s g...
Read More

Esther 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mor′decai learned all that had been done, Mor′decai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s g...
Read More

Esther 4 - Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)

4 When Mordechai perceived all that was done, Mordechai rent his garments, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a zeakah gedolah umarah (loud and a bitter wailing); 2 And came even before the Sha’ar HaMelech; for none might enter into the Sha’ar Ha...
Read More

Esther 4 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with...
Read More

Esther 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; 2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with...
Read More

Esther 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry;(A)2 he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with...
Read More

Esther 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Mordecai Requests Esther’s Help4 When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail. 2 He went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing...
Read More

Esther 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

Mordecai Asks for Esther’s Help4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes. He dressed in cloth made from hair and put on ashes, and went out into the city and cried with loud cries. 2 He went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to go through the king’s gate wearing cl...
Read More

Esther 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews4 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, [a]he (A)tore his clothes and put on sackcloth (B)and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He (C)cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He went as far as the front of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the...
Read More

Esther 4 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Mordecai persuades Esther to help4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3...
Read More

Esther 4 - New International Version (NIV)

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes,(A) put on sackcloth and ashes,(B) and went out into the city, wailing(C) loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate,(D) because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to e...
Read More

Esther 4 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Mordecai Talks Esther Into Helping the Jews4 Mordecai found out about everything that had been done. So he tore his clothes. He put on the rough clothing people wear when they’re sad. He sat down in ashes. Then he went out into the city. He wept out loud. He cried bitter tears. 2 But he only went a...
Read More