Calling all scholars

So an interesting thing happened yesterday. As I've mentioned before, I pray the Liturgy of the Hours in Latin. Well, occasionally, there are times when the English breviary does not conform to the Latin. I've already written on one of these times on this blog. Well, I've found another.

But this one is more interesting. As I was re-reading the Office of Readings, I found the reading wasn't the same. Even after looking at several tranlsations of the Bible (the Jerusalem Bible, the New American Bible, the Revised Standard Version, a Spanish translation, the American Standard Version, the English Standard Version, the Douay Rheims), the problem still exists. What's the problem?

There's a whole section which is in the Nova Vulgata that is probably from some manuscript or version of the Book of Esther which is left out of many other translations of Esther. The verses in the Nova are 4:17a - 4:17kk. It's a beautiful hymn, lament and plea for the LORD's intervention on behalf of His people.

I've already had a number of the guys in the house here looking at it with me, and we're still left befuddled. If you can figure it out, or know the answer, please fill us in. We'd be delighted to know what's going on!

Oh, and by the way, it's a bit tricky. Sometimes, a Bible translation will use the same verse numbering, but the actual text isn't the same. So, here's a rough translation of the section that is missing from the other translations, which is what we're trying to find but can't:

I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you spared Noah in the waters of the flood.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you delivered to Abraham in his 310 years nine kings by eight men.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you freed Jonah from the belly of the whale.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you freed Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael from the furnace fire.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you plucked Daniel out from the pit of the lion.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you were merciful to Hezekiah, the king of the Jews, who was damned to death and prayed for his life, and gave him 15 more years of life.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you gave a generation of sons to Hannah, who was pleading with the desire of her soul.
I have heard from the greater of my books, O LORD, that you free all who please you, O LORD, until the end.