Esther 4:1-3

New International Version

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes,^(A) put on sackcloth and ashes,^(B) and went out into the city, wailing^(C) loudly and bitterly. ²But he went only as far as the king’s gate,^(D) because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. ³In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

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Psalm 112:4

New International Version

⁴Even in darkness light dawns^(A) for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.^(B)

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Psalm 112:4 in all English translations

Jeremiah 29:4-7

New International Version

⁴This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried^(A) into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵“Build^(B) houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.^(C) ⁷Also, seek^(D) the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray^(E) to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”