Thursday 6 March 2036

12And queen Esther took refuge in the Lord,being taken as it were in the agony of death.· · · verse 13 is not read14She implored the Lord God of Israel,and said, “O my Lord,you alone are our king.Help me. I am destitute, and have no helper but you,15for my danger is near at hand.16I have heard from my birth in the tribe of my kindred that you,Lord, took Israel out of all the nations,and our fathers out of all their kindred for a perpetual inheritance,and have done for them all that you have said.· · · verses 17–22 are not read23Remember us, O Lord!Manifest yourself in the time of our affliction.Encourage me, O King of gods, and ruler of all dominion!24Put harmonious speech into my mouth before the lion,and turn his heart to hate him who fights against us,to the utter destruction of those who agree with him.25But deliver us by your hand,and help me who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord.

1I will give you thanks with my whole heart.Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.2I will bow down toward your holy temple,

2and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth;for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.3In the day that I called, you answered me.You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

7Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me.You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies.Your right hand will save me.8The Lord will fulfill that which concerns me.Your loving kindness, Lord, endures forever.Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

7“Ask, and it will be given you.Seek, and you will find.Knock, and it will be opened for you.8For everyone who asks receives.He who seeks finds.To him who knocks it will be opened.9Or who is there among you who,if his son asks him for bread,will give him a stone?10Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?11If you then, being evil,know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your Fatherwho is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you,you shall also do to them;for this is the law and the prophets.