Esther 4:1-3

New Century Version

Mordecai Asks Esther to Help

4 When Mordecai heard about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on rough cloth and ashes, and went out into the city crying loudly and painfully. ² But Mordecai went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one was allowed to enter that gate dressed in rough cloth. ³ As the king’s order reached every area, there was great sadness and loud crying among the Jewish people. They fasted and cried out loud, and many of them lay down on rough cloth and ashes to show how sad they were.