Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.