And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Sackcloth. Greek adds, "and ashes. "Such an appearance was deemed disrespectful. God forbids his priests to act thus, Leviticus xxi. 1. See Genesis xli. 14. Yet the miserable ought not to be entirely excluded from the king's presence, as he ought to be their protector.