5 Mordecai giveth the Queen knowledge of the cruel decree of the king against the Jews. 16 She willeth that they pray for her.

Now when Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth, and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a great cry, and a bitter.

And he came even before the King’s [a]gate, but he might not enter within the king’s gate, being clothed with sackcloth.

And in every province and place, whither the king’s charge and his commission came, there was great sorrow among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and mourning, and [b]many lay in sackcloth and in ashes.

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Footnotes

  1. Esther 4:2 Because he would advertise Esther of this cruel proclamation.
  2. Esther 4:3 Hebrew, sackcloth and ashes were spread for many.

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

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. But he went only as far as the king’s gate,(D) because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

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