¹⁴ May ^(A)God Almighty^{[a] (B)}grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, ^(C)if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”

¹⁶ “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for ^(A)three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, ^(B)and if I perish, I perish.”^[a]