27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth(A) and walked around subdued.

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Mordecai Appeals to Esther

When Mordecai learned all that had occurred,(A) he tore his clothes,(B) put on sackcloth and ashes,(C) went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly.(D) He only went as far as the King’s Gate,(E) since the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict(F) came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.(G)

Esther’s female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear.(H) She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take off his sackcloth, but he did not accept them.

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26 My dear[a] people, dress yourselves in sackcloth
and roll in the dust.(A)
Mourn as you would for an only son,(B)
a bitter lament,
for suddenly the destroyer(C) will come on us.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 6:26 Lit Daughter of My

30 They raise their voices over you
and cry out bitterly.
They throw dust on their heads;(A)
they roll in ashes.
31 They shave their heads because of you
and wrap themselves in sackcloth.
They weep over you
with deep anguish and bitter mourning.

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