³ There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict^(A) came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes.^(B)

¹⁶ “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days,^(A) day or night. I and my female servants will also fast^(B) in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law.^(C) If I perish, I perish.”^(D)