Monday, August 30, 2021

Esther 7

1So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, 2and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."

3Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life--this is my petition. And spare my people--this is my request. 4For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king. "

5King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?"

6Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

8Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.

The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?"

As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king."

The king said, "Hang him on it!" 10So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's fury subsided.

 

 

Psalm 59

1For the director of music. [To the tune of] "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A [miktam.] When Saul had sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. 2Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. 4I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! 5O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. [Selah] 6They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 7See what they spew from their mouths-- they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, "Who can hear us?" 8But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations. 9O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, 10my loving God. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 11But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down. 12For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. [Selah] 14They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 16But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 3:6–13

6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

 

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