Esther 9:29-32

New International Version

²⁹So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail,^(A) along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. ³⁰And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces^(B) of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— ³¹to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting^(C) and lamentation.^(D) ³²Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.

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Micah 7:1-7

New International Version

Israel’s Misery

7 What misery is mine!
I am like one who gathers summer fruit
    at the gleaning of the vineyard;
there is no cluster of grapes to eat,
    none of the early figs^(A) that I crave.
²The faithful have been swept from the land;^(B)
    not one^(C) upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait^(D) to shed blood;^(E)
    they hunt each other^(F) with nets.^(G)
³Both hands are skilled in doing evil;^(H)
    the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,^(I)
    the powerful dictate what they desire—
    they all conspire together.
⁴The best of them is like a brier,^(J)
    the most upright worse than a thorn^(K) hedge.
The day God visits you has come,
    the day your watchmen sound the alarm.
    Now is the time of your confusion.^(L)
⁵Do not trust a neighbor;
    put no confidence in a friend.^(M)
Even with the woman who lies in your embrace
    guard the words of your lips.
⁶For a son dishonors his father,
    a daughter rises up against her mother,^(N)
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
    a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.^(O)