Hoped

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.

They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness fell.

May those who fear You see me and rejoice, for I have hoped in Your word.

We hoped for peace, but no good has come, for a time of healing, but there was only terror.

Have You rejected Judah completely? Do You despise Zion? Why have You stricken us so that we are beyond healing? We hoped for peace, but no good has come, and for the time of healing, but there was only terror.