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For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?"

Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring-for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked."

Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king's signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.

For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.

That is why rural Jews-those living in villages-observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction.

to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation.

3�Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.

"Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life.

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn,

for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.

For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest

with kings and counselors of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,

to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure,

For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water.

The lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.