Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?