²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favor, But a man's justice comes from Yahweh.

⁶ Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

⁹ Save, Yahweh; Let the King answer us when we call!

⁴ For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, What do you?

⁴ But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice [due] to me is with Yahweh, and my recompense with my God.

⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me;

¹⁰ declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

¹¹ calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it.

¹ The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

²¹ There are many plans in a man's heart, But Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

⁷ When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

¹² Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, For you reward every man according to his work.

¹⁶ Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

¹¹ Lord, I beg you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cup bearer to the king.

²⁷ Blessed be Yahweh, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem;

²⁸ and has extended loving kindness to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the hand of Yahweh my God on me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

¹⁴ May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."