Esther, 15
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1. Ending her prayer on the third day, Esther took off her penitential garments and put on her royal attire.
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2. Radiant in appearance after invoking the all-seeing God and Savior, she took her two maids with her,
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3. and leaned gently on one of them for support,
4. And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel.
4. while the other followed carrying her train.
5. And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and saviour of all things, she took two maids with her:
5. Although her heart was frozen with fear, she looked radiant in her perfect beauty, her face depicting love and joy.
6. And upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily;
6. After passing through all the doors, she found herself face to face with the king seated on his throne, awe-inspiring in the full array of his majesty, his robes all covered with gold and precious stones.
7. And the other followed, bearing up her train.
7. As he looked up, his face flushed with majestic anger, the queen faltered, turned pale and leaned weakly upon the shoulder of the maid in front of her.
8. And she was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable: but her heart was in anguish for fear.
8. Then God changed the king's anger to gentleness. Alarmed, he sprang from his throne, took Esther in his arms until she had recovered and comforted her with soothing words.
9. Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones; and he was very dreadful.
9. "What is it, Esther?" he said. "I am your brother. Take heart.
10. Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her: and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her.
10. You will not die, because our decree applies only to ordinary people.
11. Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness, who in a fear leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, till she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her,
11. Come, speak to me."
12. Esther, what is the matter? I am thy brother, be of good cheer:
12. He raised the golden scepter, touched her neck with it, then embraced her saying, "Speak to me."
13. Thou shalt not die, though our our commandment be general: come near.
13. Esther spoke: "My lord, I saw you like an angel of God, and I trembled with fear before your majesty.
14. And so be held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck,
14. For you are admirable, my Lord, and your appearance is awesome although you are full of kindness."
15. And embraced her, and said, Speak unto me.
15. But she fell fainting as she spoke.
16. Then said she unto him, I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.
16. The king was deeply distressed, and his attendants tried to revive her.
17. For wonderful art thou, lord, and thy countenance is full of grace.
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18. And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness.
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19. Then the king was troubled, and ail his servants comforted her.
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