欧宝娱乐

“Tell me everything about this woman you once knew. Tell me everything she ever told you about Jesus of Nazareth."
Marcus saw the fever in his eyes. "Why?" he said, frowning. "Why does it matter?"
"Just tell me, Marcus Lucianus Valerian. Tell me everything. From the beginning. Let me decide for myself what matters."
And so Marcus did as he was asked. He gave in to his deep need to speak of Hadassah. And all the while he talked of her, he failed to see the irony in what he was doing. For as he told the story of a simple Judean slave girl, Marcus Lucianus Valerian, a Roman who didn't believe in anything, proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
― Francine Rivers, An Echo in the Darkness

“Hadassah looked into Vashti's eyes and searched her face as though she was seeing beyond her ability to comprehend. She reached a small hand to touch Vashti's face, then placed a hand on Vashti's protruding middle. "You will have a baby soon," Hadassah said. "You are pretty and have kind eyes."
Vashti sat straighter. She took the child's hand. "And you are young to say such things."
"She has always been a bright child," Levia said.
Vashti nodded. She had no reason to detain the woman or the child, yet a part of her longed to do just that. At last common sense won out, and she cupped Hadassah's face and slowly rose. She looked at Levia. "Take good care of her. She is one who could come to great favor or great harm for her beauty."
"Thank you, Majesty. I will be extra watchful for your warning."
Vashti dismissed them, wondering what had caused her to say such a thing, yet feeling some strange sense that she had done well. She watched Levia, with Hadassah in hand, walk toward the gate, where Hadassah looked back at her and smiled. Warmth like the break of dawn after the darkness washed over Vashti, and she wondered if she had touched the face of an angel.”
― Jill Eileen Smith, Star of Persia:

“What is your name?"
She and Mordecai had discussed what to do if she ever faced this situation. "Do not tell them you are Jewish," he had said. "And tell them your name is Esther. It is the Persian version of Hadassah."
"What is your name?" the man asked again.
"Esther," she said, nearly choking on the name. "I am the daughter of Abihail. My cousin Mordecai is my adopted father.”
― Jill Eileen Smith, Star of Persia:

“Cries of joy rose in the city as copies of the decree were fastened to the walls of the king's gate and at prominent places throughout the capital.
Esther stood near, watching the frantic work. Awe that God had used her for this moment caused joy to rise up within her. When she heard the singing and laughter of the people outside, she wanted to weep and dance at the same time.
Was this why You placed me here, Adonai? She had always wondered what possible reason there could have been for her to be so chosen. Surely other women were more beautiful than she. Surely other women had captured Xerxes' heart. With a Persian wife in Amestris who had given him sons, there had been no need for him to seek another wife. Even if he missed Vashti, it wasn't like he needed more.
And yet here she stood, watching her father, second in command to the throne, write letters to every satrap, governor, high officer, and noble in all 127 provinces of her husband's kingdom. All because God saw fit to use her.
Her. Hadassah.
Her face heated with the humbling thought. How unworthy she felt, yet how blessed.”
― Jill Eileen Smith, Star of Persia: