16 “Go, gather all the Jews that are to be found in Shuʹshan+ and fast+ in my behalf and neither eat nor drink for three days,+ night and day. I too with my young women,+ I shall fast likewise, and upon that I shall come in to the king, which is not according to the law; and in case I must perish,+ I must perish.”

4 For we have been sold,+ I and my people, to be annihilated, killed and destroyed.+ Now if we had been sold for mere men slaves+ and for mere maidservants, I should have kept silent. But the distress is not appropriate when with damage to the king.”*

3 The rod of haughtiness is in the mouth of the foolish one,+ but the very lips of the wise ones will guard them.+

2 The tongue of wise ones does good with knowledge,+ but the mouth of the stupid ones bubbles forth with foolishness.+