³ For Mordecai the Jew was ^(A)second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, ^(B)seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his ^[a]countrymen.

¹⁰ When ^(A)Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite ^[a]official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

¹⁸ For he who serves Christ in ^[a]these things ^(A)is acceptable to God and approved by men.

²⁹ Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him ^(A)that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

⁷ Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king’s son, Azrikam the officer over the house, and Elkanah who was second to the king.

⁴³ And he had him ride in the second ^(A)chariot which he had; ^(B)and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him ^(C)over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

^40 (A)You shall be ^[a]over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Israel Needs the Gospel

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for ^[a]Israel is that they may be saved.