[Dì‐125 ([125th]) yè (page) de (’s) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

DÌ‐15 ([15th]) ZHĀNG (chapter)

Tǐng·shēn ({straightened up} · {body → [self]}) Bāngzhù ({to help}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Zǐ·mín (persons · people)
[🔊 MP3s (jw.org)]

4 Zǎo·qī (early · period) de (’s) Jīng·lì ({gone through} · experienced [things])

7 “ Róng·mào (looks · appearance) Xiù·lì ({were elegant} · {were beautiful}) ”

10 “ Fán (every) Kàn·jian ({looking at} · seeing) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) Rén (person) , Dōu ({each one}) Hěn ({very much}) Xǐ’·ài (liked · loved) Tā (her) ”

18 Xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) Zāo·shòu (encounters · receives) Kǎoyàn (testing)   (→ [trial])

24 Xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) Zhàn·shèng ({wars against} · victoriously) Kǒngjù (fearing)

[The material in this section with a lower-contrast background has not yet been proofread. More proofreading may be done later as time allows.]

1–3. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) qù ({was going}) jiàn ({to see}) zhàngfu (husband) shí (time) gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) hài·pà (feeling · {was afraid}) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Guān·yú (relating · to) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , wǒmen ([we]) huì (will) tán ({talk about}) xiē (some) shénme ([what]) ?

Yǐsītiē (Esther) zhèng ({just then}) cháo·zhe ({was face-} · -ing) Shūshān (Shushan’s) wáng·gōng (king’s · palace) de (’s) yuàn·zi (courtyard · [suf]) zǒu·qù (walking · going) , tā (she) shè·fǎ ({set up} · ways)   (→ [tried]) píng·fu ({to calm} · {to recover}) zìjǐ (self’s) nà (that) jǐn·zhāng (tight · stretched)   (→ [tense]) de (’s) xīn·qíng (heart · feeling) , dàn (but) tā (she) yòu ({on the other hand}) zěn·néng (how · could) bù (not) jǐn·zhāng ({be tight} · {be stretched})   (→ [be tense]) ne! Shūshān (Shushan) chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) lín·jìn ({was neighbouring} · {was near}) bái·xuě (white · snow) gài (covered) dǐng (tops) de (’) Zhāgéluósī (Zagros) Shān·mài (Mountains · vein) , fǔ·kàn ({was bowing} · {to look down at}) Shào’āsīpèi (Choaspes) Hé (River) de (’s) qīng·chè (clear · limpid) hé·shuǐ (river · water) . Chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) zuò·luò ({was seated} · {was settled}) zài (on) jù·dà (huge · big) de (’s) tái·jī (platforms · bases) shang (upon) , chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) li (inside) bú·dàn (not · only) yǒu (had) hóng·wěi (grand · great) de (’s) diāo·xiàng (carved · images)   (→ [statues]) ,   ([having]) āo (sunken) cáo (grooves’) shí·zhù (stone · columns) , hái·yǒu (also · had) bù·mǎn (arranged · {full of}) cǎi·sè (multicolour · colours) fú·diāo (inflated · carved)   (→ [relief sculpted]) de (’s) qiáng (walls) , tú’·àn (picture · plans)   (→ [patterns]) yǒu (had) shè·shǒu (shooting · hands)   (→ [archers]) , shī·zi (lions · [suf]) hé (and) yǒu·yì (having · wings) gōng·niú (male · cattle)   (→ [bulls]) . Zhè (this) yí·qiè ({one [whole]} · corresponding)   (→ [everything]) dōu (all) shì (was) jīng·guò ({passed through} · past) jīng·xīn (meticulous · -hearted) shèjì (designing) de (’s) , ràng ({to make}) měi (every) ge ([mw]) qián·lái (forward · {comes to}) chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) de (’s) rén (person) dōu ({each one}) gǎn·shòu ({to feel} · {to receive}) dào ({arriving at}) guó·wáng (nation’s · king) de (’s) wēi·yán ({impressive power} · {being strict}) hé (and) quán·lì (authority · power) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) jiù·shì (exactly · was) yào (needing) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) zì·chēng (self · called) “wěidà (great) de (’s) jūn·wáng (monarch · king) ” de (’s) guó·wáng (nation’s · king) , yě (also) jiù·shì (exactly · was) tā de ([her]) zhàngfu (husband) .

2 Tā de ([her]) zhàngfu (husband) ! Rèn·hé ({no matter} · which)   (→ [any]) zhōng·yú (loyal · to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Yóutài (Jewish) shào·nǚ (young ·girl) , dōu ({each one}) bù (not) xiǎng ({did want}) jià·gěi ({to become a wife to} · {to be given to}) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) nà·yàng (that · kind) de (’s) rén (man) .* Shǒuxiān (first) , tā (he) méi·yǒu (not · had) xiào·fǎ (imitated · {taken as a model}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhōng·pú (loyal · servants) , bǐ·rú ({compared to} · like) xué·huì (learned · {to be able}) xiàng (like) Yàbólāhǎn (Abraham) nà·yàng (that · [way]) tīng·cóng ({to listen to} · {to follow}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhǐ·shì (pointings · instructions) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) , qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (-ly) língtīng ({to listen to})   (→ [to listen to respectfully]) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) de (’s) yì·jian (idea · view) . ( Chuàng·shì·jì (creating · world · record)   (→ [Genesis]) 21:12) Cǐ·wài (this · outside) , tā (he) duì·yú (towards · {with regard to}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǐjí ({as well as}) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) , jī·hū (nearly · at) yì·wú ({[in even] one [thing]} · {was without}) ‐ suǒ·zhī ({that which [he]} · {was knowing}) . Tā (he) suǒ ({those which [he]}) rèn·shi (recognized · knew) de (’s) shì (were) Bōsī·rén (Persian · people) de (’s) fǎlǜ (laws) , qí·zhōng (them · among) yì (one) tiáo ([mw for long, narrow things]) zhèng·shì (exactly · was) Yǐsītiē (Esther) huì (will) chù·fàn (contact · violate) de (’s) . Zhèi (this) tiáo ([mw for long, narrow things]) fǎlǜ (law) jiù·shì (exactly · was) : Rèn·hé ({no matter} · which)   (→ [any]) rén (person) bù (not) méng ({had received}) Bōsī (Persian) wáng (king) chuánzhào (summoning) jiù (then) shàn·zì ({on his own authority} · self) qù (went) jiàn ({to see}) wáng (king) de (’s) , dōu ({each one}) huì (will) bèi ([get]) chǔ·sǐ (punished · {to die}) . Zhèi·cì (this · time) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) méi·yǒu (not · had) bèi ([gotten]) chuánzhào (summoned) , dàn (but) tā (she) hái·shi (still · was) yào (needing) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) wáng (king) . Tā (she) yí·bù·bù (one · step · step)   (→ [step by step]) de (-ly) zǒu·xiàng (walked · towards) wáng·gōng (king’s · palace’s) nèi·yuàn (inner · courtyard) , zuò (sitting) zài (on) bǎo·zuò (precious · seat)   (→ [throne]) shang (upon) de (’s) guó·wáng (nation’s · king) néng ({was able}) kàn·jian ({to look at} · {to see}) tā (her) . Dāng·shí ({at that} · time) tā (she) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) jué·de (felt · {getting to be}) zìjǐ (self) zhèng·zài (exactly · {was then}) bù·xiàng (stepping · towards) sǐwáng (dying) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 4:11; 5:1.)

3 Yǐsītiē (Esther) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào ({did need}) mào ({to risk}) shēngmìng (life) wēixiǎn (danger) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) wáng (king) ne? Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yǔ·zhòng·bù·tóng (with · crowd · not · {was the same}) de (’s) nǚ·zǐ (female · person) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) hěn ({very much}) yǒu (had) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) , wǒmen ([we]) cóng (from) tā (her) shēn·shang (body → [self] · upon) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) xué·dào (learn · {arriving at}) shénme ([what]) ne? Ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) xiān (first) kàn·kan ({look at} · {look at}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) shì (was) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) chéng·wéi (became · {to be}) Bōsī (Persia’s) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) de (’s) .

Zǎo·qī (early · period) de (’s) Jīng·lì ({gone through} · experienced [things]) ˄

4. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Qǐng (please) shuō·shuo ({speak of} · {speak of}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) shēn·shì (body → [self] · {lifetime [experience]}) . (Yǐ) ((second)) Tā (she) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) dào·le ({arrived at} · [to completion]) táng·xiōng ({cousin on the father’s side} · {elder brother})   (→ [elder male cousin on the father’s side]) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) jiā (home) ?

4 Yǐsītiē (Esther) shì (was) ge ([mw]) gū’·ér (orphaned · child) . Wǒmen ([we]) duì (towards) tā de ([her]) fù·mǔ (father · mother) suǒ ({that which [we]}) zhī (know) bù (not) duō ({is much}) , zhǐ (only) zhī·dào (know · way)   (→ [know]) tāmen ([they]) wèi (for) tā (her) qǐ·le ({had raised} · [to completion]) ge ([mw]) Xībólái·yǔ (Hebrew · language) míng·zi (name · word) Hādàshā (Hadassah) ( yì·si (meaning · thought) shì (is) “ xiāng·táo·mù (fragrant · peach · tree)   (→ [myrtle]) ”, yì (one) zhǒng ({type of}) kāi (opens) bái·sè (white · colour) huā (blossoms) de (’) měilì (beautiful) guàn·mù (irrigated · tree)   (→ [shrub]) ). Fù·mǔ (father · mother) qù·shì ({went from} · world)   (→ [passed away]) hòu ({after ←}) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) bèi (by) hǎo·xīn (good·-hearted) de (’s) táng·xiōng ({cousin on the father’s side} · {elder brother})   (→ [elder male cousin on the father’s side]) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) shōu·liú ({was taken in} · {to stay}) le ([indicates a change]) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) nián·jì (years · age) bǐ ({compared to}) tā (her) dà ({were [more] great}) hěn (very) duō (much) , jiāng (took) tā (her) dài ({to bring}) huí·jiā ({to circle back to} · home) dàng ({to regard as}) nǚ’·ér (female · child)   (→ [daughter]) fǔ·yǎng ({to foster} · {to raise}) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:5–7, 15)

[Dì‐126 ([126th]) yè (page) de (’s) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) yǒu (had) chōng·fèn (ample · portion) de (’s) lǐ·yóu (reason · cause) wèi ({on account of}) tā de ([his]) yǎng·nǚ (adoptive · daughter) gǎn·dào ({to feel} · {arriving at}) zì·háo (self · {being bold & unconstrained})   (→ [being proud])

5, 6. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) jiào·yǎng ({did teach} · {did raise}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Qǐng (please) shuō·shuo ({speak of} · {speak of}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) hé (and) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zài (in) Shūshān (Shushan) chéng (city) de (’s) shēng·huó (life · living) qíng·jǐng (situation · scene) .

5 Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) hé (and) Yǐsītiē (Esther) dōu (both) shì (were) liú·wáng (wandering · fleeing)   (→ [exiled]) zài (in) Bōsī (Persia) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) , zhù (living) zài (in) dì·guó (emperor’s · nation)   (→ [empire]) de (’s) shǒu·dū (chief · capital) Shūshān (Shushan) chéng (city) . Yóu·yú ({because of} · from) wéi·hù (maintaining · protecting) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) xìn·yǎng (beliefs · reverence) , bìng ({side by side with}) zūnshǒu ({abiding by}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Lǜfǎ (Law) , Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) hěn ({very much}) kě·néng (maybe · {being able}) huì (would) shòu·dào (receive · {arriving at}) qí·shì ({[as] divergent} · {being viewed}) . Kě·shì (however · was) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) réng (still) jìn·lì ({expended to the limit} · power) jiào·dǎo ({to teach} · {to guide}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) rèn·shi ({to recognize} · {to know}) cí·bēi (kind · compassionate)   (→ [merciful]) de (’s) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) . Zhèi (this) wèi ([mw for persons]) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) céng (had) duō (many) cì (times) zhěngjiù (rescued) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) tuō·lí ({to shed} · {to leave}) kùn·jìng (difficult · circumstances) , jiāng·lái ({going to} · come)   (→ [in the future]) yě (also) huì (would) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (do) . ( Lìwèi·jì (Levi · record)   (→ [Leviticus]) 26:44, 45) Tāmen ([they]) liǎ ({two [mw]}) hùxiāng ({each other}) guān’·ài ({were concerned about} · {loved}) , bù·lí (not · {would leave}) ‐ bú·qì (not · {would abandon}) .

6 Kàn·lái ({looking at} · {coming to be}) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zài (in) Shūshān (Shushan) chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) dān·rèn (shouldered · {was appointed to}) gōng·zhí (public · post) , yīn·wei (because · for) tā (he) cháng (often) gēn (with) wáng (king) de (’s) qí·tā (him · besides’)   (→ [other]) chén·pú (officials · servants) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) zuò (sat) zài (at) wáng·gōng (king’s · palace’s) mén (gate) qián ({before ←}) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:19, 21; 3:3) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) méi·yǒu (not · has) shuō (said) Yǐsītiē (Esther) xiǎo·shíhou (young · time) de (’s) shēng·huó (life · living) shì (was) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) de (’s) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) tā (she) shì (was) zài (in) chéng (city) li (inside) yí (one) ge ([mw]) bǐ·jiào (compared · relatively) pínqióng (poor) de (’s) xiǎo·qū (small · district)   (→ [neighbourhood]) zhǎng·dà (grown · big) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xiǎo·qū (small · district)   (→ [neighbourhood]) gēn (with) wáng·gōng (king’s · palace) yǒu (had) yì (one) hé (river) zhī (’s) gé (separating) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) huì (would) hǎohāor ({very well}) liào·lǐ (material · manage) jiā·wù (household · affairs) , zhàogu ({look after}) táng·xiōng ({cousin on the father’s side} · {elder brother})   (→ [elder male cousin on the father’s side]) . Píng·rì (ordinary · days) tā (she) kě·néng (maybe · {was able}) hěn ({very much}) xǐ·huan ({to like} · {to enjoy}) guàng ({strolling through}) shì·chǎng (market·place) , nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) yǒu (had) jīn·qì (gold · wares) , yín·qì (silver · wares) hé (and) qí·tā (these · besides’) shāng·pǐn (commercial · products) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) zěn·me (how · [so]) yě (even) liào·bu·dào (anticipated · not · {arriving at}) , zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) shē·chǐ·pǐn (luxurious · extravagant · goods) rì·hòu ([in the] days · afterwards) huì (would) chéng·wéi (become · {to be}) tā (she) tuò·shǒu·kě·dé ({spit on} · hands · could · get)   (→ [could get extremely easily]) de (’s) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) . Tā (she) duì (towards) jí·jiāng ({were approaching} · {were about to}) fā·shēng ({issue forth} · {come to life})   (→ [happen]) zài (at) zìjǐ (self’s) shēn·shang (body → [self] · upon) de (’s) shì (things) yì·wú ({[in even] one [thing]} · {was without}) ‐ suǒ·zhī ({that which [she]} · {was knowing}) .

“ Róng·mào (looks · appearance) Xiù·lì ({were elegant} · {were beautiful}) ” ˄

7. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wǎshítí (Vashti) Wáng·hòu (king’s · Queen) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) bèi ([got]) fèi (deposed) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) shì (things) fā·shēng ({issue forth} · {come to life})   (→ [happen]) ?

7 Yì (one) tiān (sky)   (→ [day]) , Shūshān (Shushan) chéng (city) de (’s) jū·mín (residing · people) dōu (all) zài ({were then}) qī·zuǐ (seven · mouths) ‐ bā·shé (eight · tongues)   (→ [all talking at once ]) de (-ly) yìlùn (discussing) wáng·shì (king’s · family) fā·shēng ({had issued forth} · {had come to life})   (→ [had happened]) de (’s) yí (one) jiàn ([mw]) dà·shì (great · matter) . Shì·qing (matter · situation) shì (was) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) de (’s) : Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) bǎi·shè ({had arranged} · {had set up}) shèng·yàn (grand · banquet) , yǐ (using) jiā·yáo (fine · {meat and fish dishes}) ‐ měi·jiǔ (good · wine) kuǎndài ({to entertain}) guì·zú (noble · class [members]) qún·chén ({group of} · officials) , xí·jiān (banquet · during) tā (he) zhào (summoned) měilì (beautiful) de (’s) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) Wǎshítí (Vashti) qián·lái (forward · {to come}) . Kě·shì (however · was) , Wǎshítí (Vashti) zhèng ({just then}) yú (in) lìng (another) yí (one) ge ([mw]) dìfang (place) wèi (for) fùnǚ (women) shè·yàn ({had set up} · feast) , bù (not) kěn ({was willing}) qián·lái (forward · {to come}) . Zhè (this) lìng (made) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) fēi·cháng (un·usually) qì·fèn ({to be enraged} · {with anger}) , gǎn·jué ({to feel} · {to become aware}) shòu·dào ({had received} · {arriving at}) xiū·rǔ (shame · disgrace) , jiù (then) wèn (asked) móu·chén (planning · officials) gāi (should) rú·hé (like · how) chǔfá (punish) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) . Jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [as a result]) , Wǎshítí (Vashti) Wáng·hòu (king’s · Queen) bèi ([got]) fèi (deposed) . Zhī·hòu (it · after) , wáng (king) de (’s) shì·cóng (serving · attendants) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) dào ({to arrive at}) quán·guó (entire · nation’s) gè (each) dì (land) wù·sè (things · colour/look)   (→ [to look for a certain colour/look of]) nián·qīng (years · light) mào·měi (appearance · beautiful) de (’s) chǔ·nǚ ([virgin] · girls) , ràng ({to allow}) wáng (king) cóng·zhōng (from · {among [them]}) tiāoxuǎn ({to select}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) zuò ({to be}) xīn (new) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 1:1–2:4)

8. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) kàn·zhe (see·ing) Yǐsītiē (Esther) zhǎng·dà (growing · big) chéng·rén (becoming · {(full-grown) person}) , xīn·li (heart · inside) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) gǎn·shòu (feeling · receiving) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) duì (towards) měi·mào (beautiful · appearance) yǒu (has) shénme ([what]) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) ( Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 31:30.)

8 Xiǎng·xiàng ({think of} · image) yí·xià (one · {going down})   (→ one · [time]) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) kàn·zhe (see·ing) táng·mèi ({cousin on the father’s side} · {younger sister})   (→ [younger female cousin on the father’s side]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) cóng (from) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xiǎo (little) nǚ·háir (female · child) zhǎng·chéng (growing · {to be}) tíngtíng (graceful) yù·lì ({beautiful (re women)} · upright) de (’s) shào·nǚ (young ·girl) , xīn·li (heart · inside) chōng·mǎn·le ({was filled} · {full with} · [to completion]) zì·háo (self · {being bold & unconstrained})   (→ [being proud of her]) hé (and) guān’·ài ({being concerned} · love) . Zhǎng·dà ({had grown} · big) hòu ({after ←}) de (’s) Yǐsītiē (Esther) shì (was) ge ([mw]) měi (beautiful) rén (person) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) xíngróng (compares · {appearance [of]})   (→ [describes]) tā (her) shuō (saying) : “ Zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shào·nǚ (young ·girl) tǐ·tài (body · form) pīng·tíng ({was attractive} · {was pretty}) , róng·mào (looks · appearance) xiù·lì ({were elegant} · {were beautiful}) .” ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:7) Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) bāngzhù (helps) wǒmen ([us]) duì (towards) měi·mào (beautiful · appearance) yǒu ({to have}) zhèng·què (right · true) de (’s) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) . Wài·biǎo (outside · appearance) piào·liang ({being elegant} · {being bright})   (→ [being good-looking]) gù·rán ({of course} · -ly) rě·rén (causes · people) xǐ’·ài ({to be liking} · {to be loving}) , dàn (but) zhì·huì (wisdom · intelligence) yǐjí ({as well as}) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (’s) tàidu (attitude) yě (also) bù·kě (not · can) quēshǎo (lack) , fǒu·zé (not · then) , rén (person) jiù (then) hěn ({very much}) róng·yì ({is allowing} · {being easy}) xiǎn·chū ({to show} · out) jiāo’·ào ({being proud} · {being arrogant}) ‐ zì·dà ({[considering] self} · great) , ài·mù (loving · admiring) xū·róng (empty · glory)   (→ [vanity]) děng (etc.) chǒu’·è (ugly · bad) de (’s) tè·zhì (particular · qualities) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 11:22.) Nǐ (you) jiàn·guo ({have seen} · {[in the] past}) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) rén (person) ma? Duì (to) Yǐsītiē (Esther) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , měi·mào (beautiful · appearance) dào·dǐ (to · bottom) huì (would) duì (to) tā (her) yǒu·lì ({be having} · advantage) hái·shi ({still more} · be)   (→ [or be]) yǒu·hài (having · harm) ? Ràng (let) wǒmen ([us]) jìxù (continue) kàn·kan ({to see} · {to see}) .

9. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wáng (king) de (’s) shì·yì (attending · servants) fā·xiàn (generated · {revealing of})   (→ [discovered]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) hòu ({after ←}) jiù (then) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (did) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) bù·rěn (not · {was bearing}) gēn (with) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) fēn·lí ({to separate} · {to part}) ? (Bǐng) ((third)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) huì (would) ràng (allow) Yǐsītiē (Esther) jià·gěi ({to become a wife to} · {to be given to}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) yì·jiào·tú (different · religion · follower)   (→ [pagan]) ? ( Qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) tí·jí ({brings up} · reaching) de (’s) fù·lán (attached · {bounded area})   (→ [box]) .)

9 Wáng (king) de (’s) shì·yì (attending · servants) zài ({were then}) sōuxún ({searching for}) měi·mào ({were beautiful} · {[in] appearance}) chǔ·nǚ ([virgin] · girls) de (’) shíhou (time) fā·xiàn·le (generated · {revealing of} · [to completion])   (→ [discovered]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , yú·shì ({from [that]} · {came to be [that]}) jiāng (took) tā (her) dài·zǒu ({to be taken} · {to go away}) , sòng·dào ({to be delivered} · to) duì’·àn (opposite · riverbank) nèi (that) zuò ([mw]) hóng·wěi (grand · great) de (’s) gōngdiàn (palace) li (inside) qù ({to go}) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:8) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai’s) hé (and) Yǐsītiē (Esther’s) qíng (feelings) tóng ({were the same as}) fù (father’s) ‐ nǚ (daughter’s) , lín·bié (facing · parting) de (’s) shíhou (time) , liǎng (two) rén (persons) xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) yīyī ({were depending on}) ‐ bù·shě (not · {were abandoning})   (→ [couldn’t bear to part]) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) kěn·dìng (agreed · {as certain}) bù (not) xiǎng ({did want}) ràng ({to let}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) jià·gěi ({become a wife to} · {to be given to}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) bú (not) shì·fèng ({did serve} · {did attend to}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) rén (person) , nǎ·pà (how · {would fear})   (→ [even if]) duì·fāng (facing · party) shì (was) jūn·wáng (monarch · king) , dàn (but) shì·qing (matter · situation) què (indeed) bù (not) yóu (by) tā (him) kòngzhì ({was being controlled}) .* Zhì·yú (reaching · to) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , tā (she) bèi ([got]) dài·zǒu (taken · {to go away}) zhī·qián (’s · before) bìdìng (certainly) hěn ({very much}) liú·xīn ({had let remain} · heart) tīng ({to listen to}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) dīng·zhǔ ({saying repeatedly} · advising) . Dāng (when) tā (she) xiàng·zhe ({was face-} · -ing) Shūshān (Shushan) chéng·bǎo (wall · fort)   (→ [castle]) zǒu·qù (walking · going) shí (time) , nǎo·zi (brain · [suf]) li (inside) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) yǒu (had) hěn (very) duō (many) yí·wèn (doubts · askings) . Tā de ([her]) qián (ahead) lù (road) huì (would) zěn·yàng ({be what} · [way]) ne?

“ Fán (every) Kàn·jian ({looking at} · seeing) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) Rén (person) , Dōu ({each one}) Hěn ({very much}) Xǐ’·ài (liked · loved) Tā (her) ” ˄

10, 11. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Xīn (new) de (’s) shēng·huó (life · living) huán·jìng (surrounding · situation) hěn ({very much}) róng·yì (allowed · {being easy}) duì (towards) Yǐsītiē (Esther) chǎn·shēng ({to produce} · {to give birth to}) shénme ([what]) yǐng·xiǎng (relfections · sounds)   (→ [influences]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Shénme ([what]) xiǎn·shì (evidently · showed) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) hěn ({very much}) guān·xīn (concerned · heart [with]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) ?

10 Yǐsītiē (Esther) fā·xiàn (generated · {revealing of})   (→ [discovered]) , tā (she) bèi ([had gotten]) dài·dào·le (brought · to · [to completion]) yí (one) ge ([mw]) wánquán (completely) mò·shēng ({[from] road} · unfamiliar)   (→ [strange]) de (’s) shì·jiè (world · extent) , zhì·shēn (placing · body → [self]) yú (in) hěn (very) duō (many) shào·nǚ (young ·girls) dāng·zhōng (at · among) , zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) shào·nǚ (young · girls) shì (was) cóng (from) Bōsī (Persian) Dì·guó (emperor’s · nation’s)   (→ [Empire’s]) gè (each) dì (land) zhāo·jù (recruited · assembled) lái ({to come}) de (’s) . Tāmen de ([their]) xísú (customs) , yǔ·yán (languages · speech) hé (and) sīxiǎng (thinking) tàidu (attitudes) dōu (all) gè (each) bù (not) xiāng·tóng (mutually · {were the same}) . Fù·zé (bore · responsibility) zhào·guǎn ({to look after} · {to manage}) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) shào·nǚ (young ·girls) de (’) , shì (was) yí (one) ge ([mw]) jiào (called) Xīgāi (Hegai) de (’s) guān·yuán ({government official} · member) . Zài (in) jiē ({taking hold of [next]}) xia·lai (down · {to come}) de (’s) yì (one) nián (year) li (inside) , tāmen ([they]) huì (would) jiēshòu (receive) xǔ·duō (amount · much) měi·róng ({to beautify} · appearance) hù·lǐ (protecting · managing) , bāokuò (including) yòng (using) xiāng·gāo (fragrant · ointments) àn·mó ({to press} · {to rub})   (→ [to massage]) shēntǐ (bodies) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:8, 12) Zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) huán·jìng (surrounding · situation) hé (and) shēng·huó (life · living) fāng·shì (direction · style) hěn ({very much}) róng·yì (allowing · {being easy}) huì (would) lìng (cause) shào·nǚ·men (young ·girls · [pl]) guò·dù (excessive · degree) guān·zhù ({to be concerned about} · {to pay full attention to}) zìjǐ (selves) de (’) wài·biǎo (outside · appearance) , zhù·zhǎng (assist · {growing [of]}) tāmen de ([their]) zì·jiāo·xīn (self · proud · heart) hé (and) jìng·zhēng (competing · contending) jīngshén (spirit) . Nà·me (that · [so]) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) shòu·dào (received · {arriving at}) yǐng·xiǎng (relfection · sound)   (→ [influencing]) ne?

11 Shì·shàng (world · upon) zài (further) méi·yǒu (not · {did have}) rén (person) bǐ ({compared to}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) gèng (more) guān·xīn (concerning · heart [with]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) le ([to completion]) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) tiān·tiān (sky · sky)   (→ [every day]) dōu ({each one}) dào ({arrived at}) nǚ·yuàn (women’s · facility) fùjìn (nearby) , xiǎng (wanting) zhī·dào ({to know} · way)   (→ [to know]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) shēng·huó (life · {was living}) de ({getting to be}) hǎo (well) bu (not) hǎo (well) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:11) Tā (he) kě·néng (could · {have been able}) xiàng ({to turn towards}) gōng (palace) zhōng (within) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) yuàn·yì ([were with] willing · intention) bāng·máng ({to help} · {[with] being busy}) de (’s) shì·yì (attending · servants) dǎ·ting ({to strike up} · hearing)   (→ [to ask about]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) xiāo·xi (disappearing · news)   (→ [news]) . Měi·dāng (every · {[time] when}) tā (he) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) xiāo·xi (disappearing · news)   (→ [news]) shí (times) , dōu (even) wèi ({on account of}) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) yǎng·nǚ (adoptive · daughter) gǎn·dào ({would feel} · {arriving at}) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) zì·háo (self · {being bold & unconstrained})   (→ [being proud]) . Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) shuō (say) ne?

12, 13. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) de (’s) rén (people) duì (towards) Yǐsītiē (Esther) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) kàn·fǎ ({looking at} · way) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) shuō (say) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zhī·dào (knowing · way)   (→ [knowing]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) méi·yǒu (not · had) gàosu (told) bié·ren (other · people) zìjǐ (self) shì (was) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · person) , bìdìng (certainly) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) gāo·xìng ({was [with] high} · enthusiasm) ?

12 Xīgāi (Hegai) hěn ({very much}) xǐ·huan (liked · {was happy with}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , duì (towards) tā (her) ài·hù (cherished · protected) bèi·zhì (fully · extremely) . Tā (he) pài·le (assign·ed) qī (seven) ge ([mw]) shì·nǚ (serving · girls) qù ({to go}) fú·shì ({to serve} · {to attend upon}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , yòu (also) ràng (let) tā (her) zhù (reside) zài (in) nǚ·yuàn (women’s · facility) li (inside) zuì·hǎo (most · good) de (’s) dìfang (place) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) hái (also) shuō (says) : “Fán (every) kàn·jian ({looking at} · seeing) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) rén (person) , dōu ({each one}) hěn ({very much}) xǐ’·ài (liked · loved) tā (her) .” ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:9, 15) Yǐsītiē (Esther) zhè·me (this · [so]) tǎo (invited) rén (people) xǐ·huan ({to like} · {to be happy with her}) , chúncuì (purely) shì (was) yīn·wei (because · for) tā (she) zhǎng·de ({had grown} · {to get to be}) piào·liang (elegant · bright)   (→ [pretty]) ma? Bú (not) shì (was) de (’s) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) xīyǐn (attracted) rén (people) de (’s) dìfang (place) bù·dān (not · solely) shì (was) tā de ([her]) wài·mào (outside · appearance) , hái·yǒu (also · had) xǔ·duō (numbers · many) qí·tā (this · besides’) yōu·diǎn (excellent · points) .

[Dì‐128 ([128th]) hé (and) ‐129 yè (pages) de (’) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

Yǐsītiē (Esther) shēn·zhī (deeply · knew) , qiān·bēi ({being modest} · {being low})   (→ [being humble]) hé (and) zhì·huì (wisdom · intelligence) bǐ ({compared to}) měilì (beautiful) de (’s) wài·biǎo (outside · appearance) zhòng·yào ({is weighty} · {is important}) de ({getting to be}) duō ({much more})

13 Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) : “Yǐsītiē (Esther) méi·yǒu (not · had) tòu·lù ({told secretly} · revealed) zìjǐ (self) shì (was) něi (which) zú (group’s) rén (person) , shì (was) shéi (who) de (’s) qīn·shǔ (relative · {family member}) , yīn·wei (because · for) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) fēnfu ({had instructed}) tā (her) bù·kě (not · could) shuō (say) chu·lai (out · {to come}) .” ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:10) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) liú·yì ({had left} · {attention [on]}) dào ({arriving at})   (→ [had noticed]) Bōsī (Persia’s) wáng·shì (king’s · family) zhōng (within) yǒu (had) hěn (very) duō (many) rén (people) duì (towards) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) yǒu (having) piān·jiàn (prejudiced · view) , suǒ·yǐ ({that which} · {was the reason}) dīng·zhǔ ({said to repeatedly} · advised) Yǐsītiē (Esther) qiān·wàn (thousand · {ten thousand} [times]) bú·yào (not · must)   (→ [must not]) gàosu (tell) bié·ren (other · people) tā (she) shì (was) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · person) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) , suī·rán (although · -ly) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) bú (not) zài ({was at}) shēn·biān (body → [self] · beside) , dàn (yet) Yǐsītiē (Esther) réng·rán (still · -ly) fúcóng (obeyed) tā (him) , xíng·shì (did · things) míng·zhì (understandingly · wisely) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zhī·dào (knowing · way)   (→ [knowing]) zhè (this) yì (one) diǎn (point) , bìdìng (certainly) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) gāo·xìng ({was [with] high} · enthusiasm) !

14. Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , nián·qīng·rén (years · light · persons) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) ?

14 Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) de (’s) nián·qīng·rén (years · light · persons) yě (also) néng (can) xiàng (like) Yǐsītiē (Esther) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , lìng (cause) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) hé (and) yǎng·yù ({provide for} · raise) tāmen ([them]) de (’s) rén (persons) mǎn·xīn ({[to have] full} · {heart [of]}) huān·xǐ ({being joyful} · {being happy}) . Jí·shǐ ({even though} · if) fù·mǔ (fathers · mothers) bú (not) zài ({are at}) shēn·biān (bodies → [selves] · beside) , zhōu·wéi ({all around} · surrounding) yòu (moreover) yǒu (have) hěn (very) duō (many) sīxiǎng (thinking) fū·qiǎn ({[like] skin} · {is shallow}) , dào·dé (principles · morals) duòluò ({are fallen}) huò (or) xìng·qíng (nature · emotions) bào·lì ({are violent} · {are perverse}) de (’s) rén (people) , tāmen ([they]) réng·rán (still · -ly) dǐkàng (resist) bù·liáng (not · good) de (’s) yǐng·xiǎng (relfections · sounds)   (→ [influencing]) , jiān·chí (firmly · hold) zuò ({to do/make}) duì (right) de (’s) shì·qing (things · situations) . Zhè·yàng (this · [way]) , tāmen ([they]) jiù (then) néng (can) xiàng (like) Yǐsītiē (Esther) yí·yàng ({[of] one} · [way])   (→ [the same]) , lìng (cause) Tiān·fù (heavenly · Father) de (’s) xīn (heart) huān·xǐ ({to be joyful} · {to be happy}) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 27:11.)

15, 16. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yǐsītiē (Esther) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) néng ({was able}) yíng·dé ({to win} · {to get}) wáng (king) de (’s) xīn (heart) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Duì (to) Yǐsītiē (Esther) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , wèi·shénme (for · [what]) yào (needing) shì·yìng (appropriately · {to respond to}) shēng·huó (life · living) shang (upon) de (’s) gǎibiàn (changing) bìng (definitely) bù (not) róng·yì ({was allowing} · {being easy}) ?

15 Yǐsītiē (Esther) yè·jiàn ({to call on (a superior)} · {to meet}) wáng (king) de (’s) shíhou (time) dào·le (arrived · [to completion]) . Tā (she) kě·yǐ (could · [suf]) xiàng ({turn towards}) wáng (king) suǒ·qǔ ({to ask for} · {to get}) tā (she) xūyào (needed) de (’s) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) suǒ·qǔ ({to ask for} · {to get}) yì·xiē (one · {number of}) néng ({were able}) bǎ ({to hold}) zìjǐ (self) dǎ·ban ({to strike up} · {dressing up}) de ({to get to be}) gèng (more) piào·liang (elegant · bright)   (→ [pretty]) de (’s) dōng·xi (easts · wests)   (→ [things]) . Dàn (but) chú·le (besides · [to completion]) Xīgāi (Hegai) tí·dào (raised · {arriving at})   (→ [mentioned]) de (’s) zhī·wài (them · outside) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) jiù (exactly) bié·wú (other · {not did have}) suǒ ({that which [she]}) qiú (asked) , kě·jiàn (can · see) tā (her) wéi·rén ({acting as} · person) qiānxùn ({was modest}) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:15) Tā (she) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) kàn·chū (saw · out) , yào (wanting) yíng·dé ({to win} · {to get}) wáng (king) de (’s) xīn (heart) bù·néng (not · could) dān (solely) kào ({lean on}) wài·biǎo (outside · appearance) . Zài (in) Bōsī (Persia’s) gōng·tíng (palace · court) li (inside) , qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (’s) jīngshén (spirit) yóu·qí (especially · it) nán·néng·kě·guì ({was difficult} · {to be capable of} · could · {be highly valued}) . Qíngkuàng (situation) zhēn·shi (truly · was) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) ma?

16 Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) : “Wáng (king) ài ({was loving}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) shèng·guò (winning · over) ài (loving) qí·tā (her · besides’) shào·nǚ (young ·girls) . Tā (she) zài (at) wáng (king’s) miàn·qián (face · before) dé·méng (got · received) ēn·chǒng (favour · {bestowing of favour})   (→ [imperial favour]) , bèi·shòu (fully · received) ài·hù (cherishing · protecting) , bǐ ({compared to}) bié·de (other · ’s) chǔ·nǚ ([virgin] · girls) duō ({more than ←}) . Wáng (king) bǎ (held) hòu·guān (queen’s · crown) dài ({to be put on}) zài (on) tā (her) tóu (head) shang (upon) , lì (appointed) tā (her) wéi (as) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) , dàitì ({to replace}) Wǎshítí (Vashti) .” ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:17) Yǐsītiē (Esther) hū·rán (sudden·ly) chéng·le (became · [to completion]) dāng·shí ({at that} · time) shì·shàng (world · upon) zuì (most) yǒu ({was having}) quán·shì (power · influence) de (’s) dì·guó (emperor’s · nation)   (→ [empire]) de (’s) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) . Duì (to) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) de (’s) Yóutài (Jewish) shào·nǚ (young ·girl) lái (coming) shuō ({to say}) , yào (needing) shì·yìng (appropriately · {to respond to}) shēng·huó (life · living) shang (upon) de (’s) gǎibiàn (changing) shí·zài (truly · presently) bù (not) róng·yì ({was allowing} · {being easy}) . Xiànzài (presently) tā (she) guì ({was of high rank}) wéi (as) yì (one) guó (nation) zhī (’s) hòu (queen) , yǒu (had) méi·yǒu (not · had) yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) ér (thus) jiāo’·ào ({been proud} · {been arrogant}) qi·lai (up · {to come}) , gǎn·dào (felt · {arriving at}) piāopiāo·rán (flutter·y)   (→ [smug, complacent]) ne? Yì (one) diǎn (bit) yě (even) méi·yǒu (not · had) .

17. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Yǐsītiē (Esther) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) fúcóng (obeyed) yǎng·fù (foster · father) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , wǒmen ([we]) wèi·shénme (for · [what]) xūyào (must) xiào·fǎ ({to imitate} · {to take as a model}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) ?

17 Yǐsītiē (Esther) jìxù (continued) fúcóng ({to obey}) yǎng·fù (foster · father) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) , méi·yǒu (not · had) xiàng (to) bié·ren (other · people) tòu·lù ({told secretly} · revealed) zìjǐ (self) shì (was) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · person) . Yǒu (had) yí (one) cì (time) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) fā·xiàn (generated · {revealing of})   (→ [discovered]) yǒu (had) rén (persons) mì·móu (secretly · plotting) cì·shā ({to assassinate} · {to kill}) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) , jiù (then) jiào (asked) Yǐsītiē (Esther) bǎ ({to hold}) shì·qing (matter · situation) bǐng·gào ({to report (to one's superior)} · {to tell}) wáng (king) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) zūn·zhào (obeyed · {according to}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) huà (words) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) , cóng’·ér ({from [this]} · thus) cuò·bài·le (frustrated · defeated · [to completion]) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) yīn·móu (covert · plot) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 2:20–23) Yǐsītiē (Esther) réng·rán (still · -ly) shì (was) nà·me (that · [so]) qiān·bēi (modest · low)   (→ [humble]) , nà·me (that · [so]) fúcóng (obeying) , xiǎn·shì (evidently · showed) tā (she) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yǒu (had) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) díquè (indeed) zhí·de ({is worth} · getting) wǒmen ([us]) xué·xí ({to imitate} · {to get practised with}) . Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , dà·duō·shù (great[er] · numerous · {number of}) rén (people) dōu (even) xiǎn·chū (show · out) pàn·nì (rebelling · {going against}) de (’s) jīngshén (spirit) , bìng (simultaneously) méi·yǒu (not · have) bǎ (held) fúcóng (obeying) shì·wéi ({to be regarded} · as) měi·dé (beautiful · virtue) . Rán’ér (but) , zhēn·zhèng (truly · properly) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yǒu (have) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) de (’s) rén (persons) què (however) huì (will) xiàng ({be like}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , nǔ·lì (exerting· strength) péiyǎng ({to cultivate}) shùn·fú (submitting · obeying) de (’s) tàidu (attitude) .

Xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) Zāo·shòu (encounters · receives) Kǎoyàn (testing)   (→ [trial]) ˄

18. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) bù (not) kěn ({was willing}) xiàng (to) Hāmàn (Haman) xià·bài ({to go down} · {to do obeisance}) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .) (Yǐ) ((second)) Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhōng·pú (loyal · servants) kě·yǐ (can · [suf]) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiào·fǎ (imitate · {take as a model}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) ?

18 Hòu·lái (afterwards · {came to be}) , Bōsī (Persia’s) gōng·tíng (palace · court) zhōng (within) chū·xiàn ({put forward} · {appearing of}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) wèi·gāo (position · high) ‐ quán·zhòng (authority · weighty) de (’s) rén (person) , zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) rén (person) míng·jiào (name · {was called}) Hāmàn (Haman) . Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) rèn·mìng (appointed · assigned) Hāmàn (Haman) zuò ({to be}) zǎi·xiàng (governing · {chief minister})   (→ [prime minister]) hé (and) shǒu·yào (chief · important) móu·chén (planning · official) . Zài (in) dì·guó (emperor’s · nation’s)   (→ [empire’s]) jìng·nèi (borders · inside) , tā (he) kě·wèi (can · {be said}) yì (one) rén (person) zhī·xià (him · {was under}) , wàn ({ten thousand}) rén (people) zhī·shàng (them · {were above}) . Wáng (king) shèn·zhì (greatly · {went to the point of}) xià·lìng ({[setting] down} · order) , rèn·hé ({no matter} · which)   (→ [any]) rén (person) kàn·jian ({looking at} · seeing) Hāmàn (Haman) , dōu ({each one}) yào (must) xiàng (to) tā (him) xià·bài ({go down} · {to do obeisance}) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 3:1–4) Zhèi (this) tiáo ([mw for long, narrow things]) fǎ·lìng (law · command) wèi (for) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) dài·lái·le (brought · {to come} · [to completion]) nán·tí (difficult · problem) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) suī·rán (although · -ly) rèn·wéi (identified · {to be}) yīnggāi (should) fúcóng (obey) jūn·wáng (monarch · king) , què (but) bú·huì (not · would) yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) ér (thus) zuò·chū (do · out) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) bú·jìng (not · {was respecting}) de (’s) shì (things) . Shèng·jīng ([the] holy · Scriptures)   (→ [the Bible]) shuō (says) Hāmàn (Haman) shì (was) Yàjiǎ·rén (Agagite · person) , yě (also) jiù·shì (exactly · was) Yàjiǎ (Agag) de (’s) hòu·dài (afterwards · generation)   (→ [descendant]) , ér (and) Yàjiǎ (Agag) jiù·shì (exactly · was) bèi (by) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) xiān·zhī (earlier · knows [person])   (→ [prophet]) Sāmǔ’ěr (Samuel) chǔ·jué ({had punished with} · executing) de (’s) nèi·ge (that · [mw]) Yàmǎlì (Amalekite) wáng (king) . ( Sāmǔ’ěr·jì (Samuel · record) Shàng (upper)   (→ [1 Samuel]) 15:33) Yàmǎlì·rén (Amalekite · people) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) xié’·è ({were evil} · {were wicked}) , gēn (with) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) hé (and) Yǐsèliè·rén (Israelite · people) wéi (were) dí (enemies) , yīn·cǐ ({because of} · this) shòu (received) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) qiǎn·zé (censuring · reproaching)   (→ [condemning]) .* ( Shēn·mìng·jì (states · commands · record)   (→ [Deuteronomy]) 25:19) Shì·wèn (try · asking) yí (one) ge ([mw]) zhōng·yú (loyal · to) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · person) , yòu ((used for emphasis)) zěn·néng (how · could) xiàng (to) Yàmǎlì·rén (Amalekite · person) xià·bài ({go down} · {to do obeisance}) ne? Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) jué (absolutely) bù·néng (not · could) zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (do) , tā (he) jù·jué (refused · {cut off}) xiàng (to) Hāmàn (Haman) xià·bài ({to go down} · {to do obeisance}) . Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zhōng·pú (loyal · servants) , bú·lùn (not · discussing)   (→ [no matter]) nán (male) ‐ nǚ (female) , dōu (all) jǐn·shǒu (cautiously · keep) yǐ·xià (at · below) de (’s) yuán·zé (original · rule)   (→ [principle]) : “Wǒmen ([we]) bìxū (must) jiēshòu (accept) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) tǒng·zhì (command · rule) , fúcóng (obey) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) ér (and) bú (not) shì (be) fúcóng (obeying) rén (men) .” ( Shǐ·tú (sent · disciples’)   (→ [apostles’]) Xíng·zhuàn (doings · biography)   (→ [Acts]) 5:29)

19. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Hāmàn (Haman) xiǎng (wanted) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) duì·fu ({to treat} · {to hand sth. over to}) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Tā (he) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) shuō·fú (spoke · {to convince}) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) àn ({according to}) tā de ([his]) yì·si (meaning · thought) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) ?

19 Zhè (this) lìng (made) Hāmàn (Haman) nù·bù·kě’·è ({to become angry} · not · could · {hold back}) . Hāmàn (Haman) bù·zhǐ (not · only) xiǎng (wanted) shā ({to kill}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) yì (one) rén (person) , hái (also) xiǎng (wanted) chú·miè ({to eliminate} · {to exterminate}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) mín·zú (people · group) ! Yú·shì ({from [that]} · {came to be}) , Hāmàn (Haman) zài (at) wáng (king’s) miàn·qián (face · before) mǒ·hēi (smeared · black) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) , shuō (said) tāmen ([about them]) de (’s) huài·huà (harmful · words) . Tā (he) shǒuxiān (first) bù (not) zhǐ·míng ({pointing to} · name) de (-ly) shuō (said) yǒu (had) ge ([mw]) mín·zú (people · group) “ sǎn·jū (scattered · residing) zài (in) quán (whole) guó (nation) gè (each) shěng (province) de (’s) rén (people) dāng·zhōng (at · among) , què (but) gēn (from) qí·tā (them · besides’)   (→ [other]) mín·zú (people · groups) gé·kāi (separated · apart) ”, àn·shì (dimly · showing)   (→ [suggesting]) zhè (this) shì (was) ge ([mw]) wú·guān (without · concerning) ‐ zhòng·yào ({being weighty} · {being important})   (→ [unimportant]) de (’s) mín·zú (people · group) . Jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) , tā (he) jìn·yí·bù (advancing · one · step) dǐ·huǐ (slandered · defamed) tāmen ([them]) , shuō (saying) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) mín·zú (people · group) de (’s) rén (people) bù (not) zūnshǒu ({did abide by}) wáng (king) de (’s) fǎlǜ (laws) , shì (were) wēixiǎn (dangerous) de (’) pàn·luàn (rebelling · disorder)   (→ [armed rebellion]) fèn·zǐ ({part of the group} · persons)   (→ [members]) . Tā (he) hái (also) dā·ying (agreed · promised) juān·chū ({to donate} · out) yí (one) dà (big) bǐ ([mw for sums of money]) qián (money) , sòng·jìn ({to be delivered} · into) wáng (king) de (’s) bǎo·kù (treasure · storehouse) , yòng·lái ({to be used} · {to come}) bǔ·cháng ({to make up for} · {to compensate for}) miè·jué (extinguishing · {cutting off}) dì·guó (emperor’s · nation’s)   (→ [empire’s]) jìng·nèi (borders · inside) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) suǒ ({that which [it]}) dài·lái ({would bring} · {to come}) de (’s) cái·zhèng (money · affairs’) sǔn·shī (harm · losing) .* Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) jiù (then) bǎ (held) zìjǐ (self’s) nà (that) yòng·lái ({was used} · {to come}) gài·yìn ({to affix} · seal) de (’s) jiè·zhi (ring · {[for] finger}) jiāo·gěi ({to hand over} · {to give to}) Hāmàn (Haman) , ràng ({to allow}) tā (him) suí ({complying with}) zìjǐ (self) de (’s) yì·si (meaning · thoughts) qiānshǔ ({to sign}) fǎ·lìng (laws · commands) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 3:5–10)

20, 21. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) yǐjí ({as well as}) Bōsī (Persian) Dì·guó (emperor’s · nation’s)   (→ [Empire’s]) qí·yú (him · {remainder beyond}) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) Hāmàn (Haman) de (’s) fǎ·lìng (law · command) hòu ({after ←}) yǒu (had) shénme ([what]) fǎn·yìng ({in return} · responding) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) qǐng (asked) Yǐsītiē (Esther) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò ({to do}) ?

20 Bù·jiǔ (not · {was a long time}) , yì·shǐ ({relay station} · messengers) jiù (then) qí·zhe ({were ride-} · -ing) kuài (fast) mǎ (horses) , zǒu·biàn (going · {all over}) fú·yuán (size · members)   (→ [nation’s extent]) guǎng·dà (vast · large) de (’s) Bōsī (Persian) Dì·guó (emperor’s · nation)   (→ [Empire]) , bǎ (holding) miè·jué ({to extinguish} · {to cut off}) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) de (’s) fǎ·lìng (law · command) tōng·gào ({to notify} · {to tell}) dì·guó (emperor’s · nation’s)   (→ [empire’s]) gè (each) dì (land) de (’s) rén (people) . Zhèi (this) tiáo ([mw for long, narrow things]) fǎ·lìng (law · command) wú·yí (no · doubt) yě (also) chuán·dào (spread · to) yuǎn·fāng (distant · place) de (’s) Yēlùsālěng (Jerusalem) . Shì (try) xiǎng·xiàng ({to think of} · image) , dāng·dì ({at that} · land) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) xiāo·xi (disappearing · news)   (→ [news]) shí (time) duō·me (much · [so]) zhèn·jīng ({were shocked} · {were startled}) ! Tāmen ([they]) gāng (just) cóng (from) Bābǐlún (Babylon) huí·lai ({had circled back} · {had come}) , wèi·le ({on account of} · [to completion]) chóng·jiàn (again · building) Yēlùsālěng (Jerusalem) yǐ (already) miànduì ({were facing}) hěn (very) duō (much) kùn·nan ({being hard-pressed} · {[things] being difficult}) , zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) chéng·qiáng (city · walls) hái (still) méi (not) jiàn·chéng ({had been built} · {to completion}) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) fǎ·lìng (law · command) , huòxǔ (perhaps) huì (would) xiǎng·dào (think · {arriving at}) Yēlùsālěng (Jerusalem) de (’s) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) hé (and) shēn·chǔ (bodies → [selves] · {were situated in}) Shūshān (Shushan) de (’s) qīn·yǒu (relatives · friends) . Tā (he) shí·fēn (ten · portions)   (→ [very]) bēi·tòng ({was sad} · {was in pain}) , jiù (then) sī·liè (ripped · {to be rent}) yīfu (clothing) , pī·shang ({draped over shoulders} · upon) cū·bù (coarse · cloth) , sǎ (scattered) huī·jìn (ashes · cinders) zài (on) tóu (head) shang (upon) , bìng ({side by side with}) dào ({arriving at}) chéng (city) de (’s) zhōngyāng (centre) fàng·shēng ({to let go} · voice) hǎnjiào ({to cry out}) . Hāmàn (Haman) gěi (for) Shūshān (Shushan) de (’s) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) dài·lái·le (brought · {to come} · [to completion]) hěn (very) dà (great) de (’s) bēi·tòng ({being sad} · {being in pain}) , dàn (yet) tā (he) zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) què (however) zài ({was then}) gēn (with) wáng (king) hē (drinking) jiǔ (wine) , yì·diǎnr (a · bit) yě (even) méi·yǒu (not · had) bǎ (held) zhèi (this) jiàn ([mw]) shì (matter) fàng ({to put}) zài (on) xīn (heart) shang (upon) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 3:12–4:1.)

21 Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zhī·dào (knew · way)   (→ [knew]) zìjǐ (self) bù·néng (not · could) zuò·shì (sit · watch) ‐ bù·lǐ (not · {put in order}) le ([indicates a change]) . Dàn (but) tā (he) kě·yǐ (could · [suf]) zěn·me (how · [so]) zuò (do) ne? Yǐsītiē (Esther) tīng·dào (heard · reaching) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) qíngkuàng (situation) , jiù (then) pài (sent) rén (persons) sòng ({to deliver}) yīfu (clothing) gěi ({to give to}) tā (him) , Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) què (however) bù (not) kěn ({was willing}) jiēshòu ({to accept}) ān·wèi (calming · comforting) . Tā (he) yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) yì·zhí (one · straight)   (→ [all along]) xiǎng·bu·tōng (thought · not · {to be passing through})   (→ [couldn’t understand]) , wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) Shàngdì ([God]) róng·xǔ ({had allowed} · {had permitted}) tā (he) téng’·ài (achingly · loved) de (’s) Yǐsītiē (Esther) bèi ([to get]) dài·zǒu (taken · {to go away}) , gěi ({to be given to}) yí (one) ge ([mw]) xìn·fèng (believed · revered) yì·jiào (different · religion)   (→ [pagan]) de (’s) jūn·wáng (monarch · king) zuò ({to be}) qī·zi (wife · [suf]) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) tā (he) kāi·shǐ (opened · began) míng·bai ({to understand} · clearly) le ([indicates a change]) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) yú·shì ({from [that]} · came) qǐng ({to ask}) rén (person) sòng ({to deliver}) kǒu·xìnr ({mouth (oral)} · message) gěi ({to give to}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) Wáng·hòu (king’s · Queen) , qǐng (asking) tā (her) qiú ({to request}) wáng (king) kāi’·ēn ({to open up} · kindness)   (→ [to show mercy]) , tǐng·shēn ({to straighten up} · {body → [self]}) “wèi (for) běn·zú (own · clan) de (’s) rén (people) qiú·qíng ({to request} · kindness) ”. ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 4:4–8)

22. Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) bù·gǎn (not · {did dare}) qù ({to go}) jiàn ({to see}) wáng (king) ? ( Yě (also) qǐng (please) kàn (see) jiǎo·zhù (foot·note) .)

22 Yǐsītiē (Esther) tīng·jian (heard · meeting) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) kǒu·xìnr ({mouth (oral)} · message) , xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) xīn·li (heart · inside) yì ({as one})   (→ [completely]) chén (sank) . Tā de ([her]) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) cóng (ever) méi (not) shòu·guo ({had received} · {[in the] past}) zhè·me (this · [so]) dà (great) de (’s) kǎoyàn (testing)   (→ [trial]) . Zài (in) huí·fù ({to circle back} · {to reply to}) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) kǒu·xìnr ({mouth (oral)} · message) zhōng (within) , tā (she) tǎn·bái (candidly · plainly) shuō·chū·le (said · out · [to completion]) xīn·zhōng (heart · within) de (’s) kǒngjù (fearing) . Tā (she) tí·xǐng (raised · {being awake of})   (→ [reminded]) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) , wáng (king) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) lì·fǎ ({laying down} · law) guī·dìng (rule · determining) , fán (all) méi·yǒu (not · had) méng·zhào (received · {being called}) jiù (then) shàn·zì ({on their own authority} · selves) jìn·jiàn (entered · {to meet}) wáng (king) de (’s) , dōu (all) yào (must) bèi ([get]) chǔ·sǐ (punished · {to die}) . Chú·fēi ({except if} · not)   (→ [unless]) wáng (king) shēn·chū (stretched · out) jīn (gold) zhàng (rod) lai ({came to be}) , fǒu·zé (not · then) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) rén (person) bù·néng (not · could) huò·dé (obtain · get) shè·miǎn (pardoning · excusing) . Zhī·qián (this · before) , Wǎshítí (Vashti) Wáng·hòu (king’s · Queen) bù (not) fúcóng ({did obey}) wáng·mìng (king’s · order) , jù·jué (refused · {cut off}) dào ({to arrive at}) wáng (king) nà·li (that · inside)   (→ [there]) qù ({to go}) , jié·guǒ (formed · fruit)   (→ [as a result]) bèi ([got]) fèi (deposed) . Yǒu·jiàn·yú·cǐ (having · reflecting · from · this) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) méi·yǒu (not · {did have}) lǐ·yóu (reason · cause) qī·wàng ({to expect} · {to hope}) wáng (king) huì (would) kuān·róng (generously · tolerate) tā (her) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) hái (also) gàosu (told) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) , wáng (king) yǐ·jing (already · {had gone through}) sān·shí (three · tens)   (→ [thirty]) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) méi·yǒu (not · having) zhào·jiàn (summoned · {to see}) tā (her) le ([to completion]) . Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) hěn ({very much}) shàn·biàn ({was apt to} · change) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) huái·yí (harboured · doubt) zìjǐ (self) shì·fǒu (was · {was not}) yǐ·jing (already · {having gone through}) shī·qù (losing · away) wáng (king) de (’s) chǒng’·ài ({bestowing favour} · love) .* ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 4:9–11)

23. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) shuō·le (say · -ed) shénme ([what]) huà (words) , cóng’·ér ({from [this]} · thus) jiā·qiáng (adding · {strength [to]}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zài (at) něi (which) fāng·miàn (side · face) zhí·de ({is worth} · getting) wǒmen ([us]) xiào·fǎ ({to imitate} · {to take as a model}) ?

23 Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) yòng (used) jiān·dìng (firm · set) de (’s) yǔ·qì (speaking · attitude) huí·yìng ({to return} · responding [to]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , cóng’·ér ({from [this]} · thus) jiā·qiáng·le (added · {strength [to]} · [to completion]) tā de ([her]) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zhǐ·chū (pointed · out) , jí·shǐ ({even though} · if) Yǐsītiē (Esther) bù (not) cǎi·qǔ ({did adopt} · {did take}) xíng·dòng (doing · moving) , Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yě (also) kěn·dìng (agreed · {as certain}) yǒu (had) bàn·fǎ (handling · method) zhěngjiù ({to rescue}) Yóutài·rén (Jewish · people) . Bú·guò (not · {do pass})   (→ [however]) , yào·shi (if · {[it] was [that]}) pò·hài (coercing · harming) jiā·jù (increased · {being intense}) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) yě (also) bù·néng (not · could) xìng·miǎn (fortunately · avoid) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) de (’s) huà (words) xiǎn·shì (evidently · show) tā (he) duì (towards) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) yǒu (had) jiān·qiáng (firm · strong) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) . Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) shēn·xìn (deeply · believed) , Shàng·dì (above’s · God) jué (absolutely) bú·huì (not · would) ràng (let) tā de ([his]) zǐ·mín (persons · people) miè·jué ({be extinguished} · {be cut off}) , shǐ (causing) tā de ([his]) zhǐyì (will) luò·kōng ({to fall} · empty) . ( Yuēshūyà·jì (Joshua · record) 23:14) Rán·hòu ({like that} · afterwards) , tā (he) wèn (asked) Yǐsītiē (Esther) : “Shéi (who) zhī·dào ({is knowing} · way)   (→ [is knowing]) nǐ (you) dé·le ({have gotten} · [to completion]) wáng·hòu (king’s · queen) de (’s) zūn·wèi (respected · position) , bú (not) shì (was) wèi·le (for · [to completion]) zhèi·ge (this · [mw]) shí·kè (time · moment) ne?” ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 4:12–14) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) quán·xīn (whole·heartedly) xìn·lài (trusted · {relied on}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) Yēhéhuá (Jehovah) , què·shí (certainly · solidly) shì (was) wǒmen de ([our]) hǎo (good) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [example]) . Wǒmen ([we]) duì (towards) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) yě (also) yǒu (have) zhè·yàng (this · kind) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) ma? ( Zhēn·yán (admonishing · sayings)   (→ [Proverbs]) 3:5, 6)

Xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) Zhàn·shèng ({wars against} · victoriously) Kǒngjù (fearing) ˄

24. Yǐsītiē (Esther) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) xiǎn·chū (showed · out) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) hé (and) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) ?

24 Xiànzài (presently) shì (was) Yǐsītiē (Esther’s) zuò ({to do}) juédìng (deciding) de (’s) shíhou (time) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā (she) qǐng (asked) Mòdǐgǎi (Mordecai) zhào·jí ({to summon} · {to assemble}) Yóutài (Jewish) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) gēn (with) tā (her) yì·qǐ ([as] one · group) jìn·shí ({to prohibit} · eating)   (→ [to fast]) sān (three) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) shuō (said) : “Yào (must) sǐ (die) jiù (then) sǐ ({will die}) ba ([indicates uncertainty]) .” Zhèi (this) jù ({sentence of}) ěr·shú·néng·xiáng (ear · {is familiar with} · can · {explain in detail}) de (’s) huà (words) suī·rán (although · -ly) jiǎndān ({is simple}) , què (yet) xiǎn·shì (evidently · shows) Yǐsītiē (Esther) yǒu (had) hěn (very) dà (great) de (’s) xìn·xīn (believing · heart)   (→ [faith]) hé (and) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) . ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 4:15–17) Zài (in) nèi (those) sān (three) tiān (skies)   (→ [days]) li (inside) , tā (she) cóng (ever) méi (not) nà·me (that · [so]) rè·qiè (hot · ardent) de (-ly) dǎo·gào·guo ({had prayed} · {had requested} · {[in the] past}) . Guān·jiàn ({critical juncture} · key) de (’s) shíhou (time) zhōng·yú (finally · {[was] at}) lái·dào ({having come} · {having arrived}) le ([indicates a change]) . Tā (she) chuān·shang ({put on} · upon) zuì (most) piào·liang (elegant · bright)   (→ [good-looking]) de (’s) gōng·tíng (palace · court) fú·shì (clothes · ornaments) , xiǎng (wanting) jìn·liàng ({to expend to the limit} · amount) shǐ ({to cause}) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) huān·xǐ ({to be joyful} · {to be happy}) , jiē·zhe ({take hold of [next]} · -ing) jiù (then) dòng·shēn ({got moving} · {body → [self]})   (→ [set out]) le ([indicates a change]) .

[Dì‐132 ([132nd]) hé (and) ‐133 yè (pages) de (’) tú·piàn (picture · [mw]) (jw.org)]

Yǐsītiē (Esther) mào (risked) shēngmìng (life) wēixiǎn (danger) bǎohù ({to protect}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people)

25. Qǐng (please) miáo·shù (depict · state)   (→ [describe]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) yè·jiàn ({calling on (a superior)} · meeting) wáng (king) de (’s) qíng·jǐng (situation · scene) .

25 Jiù (exactly) xiàng (like) běn (this) zhāng (chapter’s) kāi·tóu (opening · beginning) suǒ ({that which [it]}) shuō (said) de (’s) nà·yàng (that · [way]) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) cháo·zhe ({was face-} · -ing) wáng·gōng (king’s · palace) de (’s) yuàn·zi (courtyard · [suf]) zǒu·qù (walking · going) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) , tā (her) xīn·li (heart · inside) yí·dìng ({[with] one} · {setting fixedly})   (→ [definitely]) tǎn·tè ({was nervous} · {was fearful}) ‐ bù’·ān (not · {was at ease}) , yě·xǔ (even · perhaps) zhèng·zài (exactly · {was then}) kěn·qiè (earnest · ardent) de (-ly) mò·dǎo ({keeping silent} · praying) . Tā (she) jìn·le (enter·ed) yuàn·zi (courtyard · [suf]) , kàn·jian ({looking at} · saw) Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) zuò (sitting) zài (on) bǎo·zuò (precious · seat)   (→ [throne]) shang (upon) . Tā (she) kàn·dào·le (saw · reaching · [to completion]) wáng (king) de (’s) miàn·kǒng (face · opening) , hái·yǒu (also · had) nà (that) yì·tóu (one · {head of}) shū·lǐ (combed · {put in order}) zhěng·qí ({to be orderly} · {to be even}) de (’s) juǎn·fà (curled · hair) hé (and) xiū·jiǎn (trimmed · cut) yún·chen ({to be even} · {to be matching}) de (’s) húxū (beard) . Shuō·bu·dìng (saying · not · certainly) Yǐsītiē (Esther) cháng·shì (tasted · tried) cóng (from) wáng (king) de (’s) biǎo·qíng (exterior · feelings)   (→ [expression]) qù ({to go}) cāi·cè ({to guess} · {to infer}) tā de ([his]) xīn·qíng (heart · feelings) . Rú·guǒ (if · {fruit (result) was}) tā (she) yào (needed) xiān (first) děng ({to wait for}) yí·huìr (a · while) cái ({only then}) néng ({would be able}) yè·jiàn ({to call on (a superior)} · {to meet}) wáng (king) , nà (that) yí·zhèn·zi (one · {battle array} · [suf])   (→ [short time]) xiǎng·bì (think · certainly) huì (would) xiàng ({be like}) yí·bèi·zi (one · lifetime · [suf]) nà·me (that · [so]) jiǔ ({long time}) . Wáng (king) zhōng·yú (finally · {[was] at}) kàn·dào (seeing · reaching) tā (her) le ([indicates a change]) . Nà (that) yí (one) kè (moment) , Yàhāsuílǔ (Ahasuerus) Wáng (King) kěn·dìng (agreed · {as certain}) hěn ({very much}) jīng·yà ({was startled} · {was surprised}) , dàn (but) hěn (very) kuài (quickly) jiù (then) píng·fu (calmed · recovered) le ([indicates a change]) . Zhè·shí ({[at] this} · time) , tā (he) jìng (actually) shēn·chū (stretched · out) shǒu (hand) zhōng (within) de (’s) jīn (gold) zhàng (rod) lai ({to come}) ! ( Yǐsītiē·jì (Esther · record) 5:1, 2)

26. (Jiǎ) ((first)) Wèi·shénme (for · [what]) zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) xūyào (require) Yǐsītiē (Esther) suǒ ({that which [she]}) jùyǒu (possessed) de (’s) nèi (that) zhǒng ({kind of}) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) ? (Yǐ) ((second)) Hái·yǒu (still · had) shénme ([what]) shì·qing (things · situations) děng·zhe (await·ing) Yǐsītiē (Esther) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) ?

26 Wáng (king) yuàn·yì ([was with] willing · intention) jiē·jiàn ({to receive} · {to see})   (→ [to grant an interview to]) Yǐsītiē (Esther) , tīng ({to listen to}) tā de ([her]) sù·qiú (appealing · requesting) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) cǎi·qǔ (adopted · took) lì·chǎng (standing · field)   (→ [position]) yōng·hù (supporting · protecting) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) , bǎohù (protecting) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) , zài (at) xìn·xīn (believing · heart’s)   (→ [faith’s]) fāng·miàn (side · face) chéng·wéi (became · {to be}) suǒ·yǒu ({[all] which [there]} · have) shì·fèng (serving · {attending to}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) rén (persons) de (’) yōu·liáng (excellent · good) bǎng·yàng ({[from] list of successful candidates} · model)   (→ [example]) . Jīn·tiān (present · sky → [day]) , zhēn (true) Jīdū·tú ([Christ] · followers) yě (also) lè·yì ([are with] happy · intention) xiào·fǎ ({to imitate} · {to take as a model}) Yǐsītiē (Esther) . Yēsū (Jesus) shuō (said) , zhēn·zhèng (truly · properly) gēnsuí (following) tā (him) de (’s) rén (people) yīnggāi (should) bǐ·cǐ (those · these)   (→ [mutually]) xiāng’·ài ({each other} · love) , yuàn·yì ([be with] willing · intention) zuò·chū ({to make} · out) xī·shēng (sacrificial · {domestic animals})   (→ [sacrifices]) . (Qǐng (please) dú (read) Yuēhàn (John) Fú·yīn (blessings · news) 13:34, 35.) Zhè·yàng (this · [way]) zuò (doing) xūyào (requires) Yǐsītiē (Esther) suǒ ({that which [she]}) jùyǒu (possessed) de (’s) nèi (that) zhǒng ({kind of}) yǒng·qì (brave · spirit) . Dàng·tiān ({that very} · sky → [day]) , Yǐsītiē (Esther) yǒng·gǎn (brave · daring) de (-ly) tǐng·shēn ({straightened up} · {body → [self]}) bāngzhù ({to help}) Shàng·dì (above’s · God) de (’s) zǐ·mín (persons · people) , dàn (but) zhè (this) zhǐ·shì (only · was) qǐ·diǎn (starting · point) , hái·yǒu (still · had) qí·tā (this · besides’)   (→ [other]) shì (things) děng·zhe (await·ing) tā (her) qù ({to go}) zuò ({to do}) . Yǐsītiē (Esther) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) cái ({only then}) néng (could) shǐ (cause) wáng (king) xiāng·xìn ({evaluating in person} · {to believe}) , tā (he) zuì (most) chǒng·xìn ({bestowed favour on} · trusted) de (’s) móu·chén (planning · official) Hāmàn (Haman) qí·shí (his · actuality) shì (was) ge ([mw]) xīn·cháng (heart · intestines)   (→ [heart, intentions]) dǎi·dú (vicious · poisonous) de (’) yīn·xiǎn (treacherous · dangerous) xiǎo·rén (petty · person) ne? Tā (she) zěn·yàng (what · [way]) cái ({only then}) néng (could) bǎohù (protect) tóng·bāo ([ones born of the] same · womb)   (→ [fellow countrymen]) , shǐ (cause) tāmen ([them]) huò·jiù ({to get} · rescued) ne? Xià (below)   (→ [next]) yì (one) zhāng (chapter) huì (will) jiě·dá (solve · answer) zhèi·xiē (this · {number of}) wèn·tí (asking · subjects)   (→ [questions]) .

Qǐng (please) Xiǎngxiang ({think about}) …