Esther 4:1-3

GOD’S WORD Translation

4 When Mordecai found out about everything that had been done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried loudly and bitterly. ² He even went right up to the king’s gate. (No one could enter it wearing sackcloth.)

³ In every province touched by the king’s command and decree, the Jews went into mourning, fasting, weeping, and wailing. Many put on sackcloth and ashes.