Esther 4:1-2

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.