A Futile Invasion Attempt^(A)

³⁹ Then Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, ^(B)and the people mourned greatly.

³ So when I heard this thing, ^(A)I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down ^(B)astonished.

Esther Agrees to Help the Jews

4 When Mordecai learned all that had happened, ^[a]he ^(A)tore his clothes and put on sackcloth ^(B)and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He ^(C)cried out with a loud and bitter cry.