The first reading is reading from the book of Esther.

Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord.

She lay prostrate upon the ground together with her handmaids from morning until evening and said,

God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of a Jacob, blessed are you.

Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life

in my hand. As a child, I used to hear from the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free

those who are pleasing to you. Now help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord, my God. And now come to help me, am alone and have no one but you oh lord my god and now come to help me an orphan put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy so that he and those who are in league with him may perish save us from the land of our enemies. Turn into mourning, turn our

morning into gladness and our sorrow into wholeness. The word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth,

and the presence of the angels I will sing your praise.

I will worship at your Holy Temple and give thanks to your name.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and of your truth, if you have made great above all things, your name

and your promise, when I called you answered me and built up strength within me. Lord,

on the day I called for help, you answered me. Your right hand saves me.

Your hand will complete, you, Lord, will complete what you have done for me.

Your kindness, O Lord, endures forever.

Forake not the work of your hand.

Lord, on the day I call for help, you answered me.

My brothers and sisters, may our Lord be with you

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