⁸ He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated^[a] in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people.

¹⁶ “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast on my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I^[a] will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law.^[b] If I perish, I perish.”