⁵ Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong,^(A) because the Lord Almighty is their God.’

⁷ The Lord will grant that the enemies^(A) who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.^(B)

9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,^(A) the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand^(B) over those who hated them.^(C)

⁴⁸ therefore in hunger and thirst,^(A) in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke^(B) on your neck^(C) until he has destroyed you.