1 Seized with anguish in her fear of death, Queen Esther likewise had recourse to the Lord.
2 Taking off her splendid robes, she put on garments of distress and mourning. In place of expensive perfumes, she covered her head with dirt and ashes. Humbling her body severely, she put aside all her festive adornments and left her hair disheveled.
3 Then she prayed to the Lord God of Israel:
4 My Lord, you who stand alone, come to my help; I am alone and have no help but you. Through my own choice I am endangering my life.
5 As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forebears that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among their ancestors to be your lasting heritage; that you did for them, all that you have promised.
6 But we have sinned, and for this you have handed us over to our enemies;
7 we have worshiped their gods, but you, O Lord, are just.
8 Dissatisfied with our bitter servitude, they made a pact with their idols
9 to abolish what you have decreed, to blot out your heritage,
10 to shut the mouths that give you praise, to quench the glory of your Temple and your altar and instead to let the pagans sing the praise of worthless idols, and idolize forever a king of flesh.
11 Do not give up your scepter, O Lord, to non-existent beings. Never let them gloat over our ruin, but turn their designs against themselves and make an example of our chief enemy.
12 Remember us, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our calamity. Give me courage, King of gods and master of all power.
13 Make my words persuasive when I face the lion; turn his heart against our enemy, that the latter and his like may be brought to their end.
14 Save us by your hand; help me who am alone and have none but you, O Lord.
15 You know everything; you know how I hate honor if from the impious, how I loathe the bed of the uncircumcised and of any foreigner.
16 You know I am here under constraint, that I loathe the diadem about my brow when I appear in public; as a filthy rag I loathe it and do not wear it in private.
17 Your handmaid has never eaten at Haman's table, nor has taken pleasure in royal banquets, nor drunk the wine offered to their gods.
18 Neither has your handmaid found pleasure from the day of her promotion till now except in you, Lord God of Abraham.
19 O God, more powerful than all, hear the voice of those in despair; save us from the evil man's power, and deliver me from my fear.
Versículos relacionados com Esther, 14:
Deuteronomy 30:9: "The Lord your God will grant you abundance in all the works of your hands, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of thy animals and in the fruit of your land, for your good; for the Lord will make the Lord To rejoice in you for your good, as you rejoiced in your parents, "this verse highlights the idea that God desires the prosperity of his people, including material blessings.
Psalm 21:2-3: "He gave him the desire of his heart and did not deny him the supplications of his lips. For thou hast presented him with excellent blessings; he put a crown of thin gold in his head." This psalm speaks of God's generosity by granting his people his petitions and blessings.
Proverbs 11:10: "When it goes well to the righteous, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there is joy." This proverb speaks of the joy that is experienced when the righteous is successful and thrives.
Isaiah 61:7: "Instead of your shame, you shall have a double honor; and instead of affront, you shall exulted in your part; so they will have double, and have perpetual joy." This verse brings the idea that God will bring honor and joy to his people, replacing shame and affronts with double blessings and perpetual joy.
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