Esther

2After³¹⁰ these things,¹⁶⁹⁷ when the wrath²⁵³⁴ of king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ was appeased,⁷⁹¹⁸ he remembered²¹⁴² Vashti,²⁰⁶⁰ and what she had done,⁶²¹³ and what was decreed

² Then said⁵⁵⁹ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants⁵²⁸⁸ that ministered⁸³³⁴ unto him, Let there be fair^28964758 young⁵²⁹¹ virgins¹³³⁰ sought¹²⁴⁵ for the king:

³ And let the king⁴⁴²⁸ appoint⁶⁴⁸⁵ officers⁶⁴⁹⁶ in all the provinces⁴⁰⁸² of his kingdom,⁴⁴³⁸ that they may gather together⁶⁹⁰⁸ all the fair^28964758 young⁵²⁹¹ virgins¹³³⁰ unto Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace,¹⁰⁰² to the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of the women,⁸⁰² unto the custody³⁰²⁷ of Hege¹⁸⁹⁶ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlain,⁵⁶³¹ keeper⁸¹⁰⁴ of the women;⁸⁰² and let their things for purification⁸⁵⁶² be given

⁴ And let the maiden⁵²⁹¹ which pleaseth^31905869 the king⁴⁴²⁸ be queen⁴⁴²⁷ instead of Vashti.²⁰⁶⁰ And the thing¹⁶⁹⁷ pleased^31905869 the king;⁴⁴²⁸ and he did so.

^5C Now in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace¹⁰⁰² there was a certain³⁷⁶ Jew,³⁰⁶⁴ whose name⁸⁰³⁴ was Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² the son¹¹²¹ of Jair,²⁹⁷¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Shimei,⁸⁰⁹⁶ the son¹¹²¹ of Kish,⁷⁰²⁷ a Benjamite;

⁶ Who had been carried away¹⁵⁴⁰ from Jerusalem³³⁸⁹ with the captivity¹⁴⁷³ which had been carried away¹⁵⁴⁰ with Jeconiah³²⁰⁴ king⁴⁴²⁸ of Judah,³⁰⁶³ whom Nebuchadnezzar⁵⁰¹⁹ the king⁴⁴²⁸ of Babylon⁸⁹⁴ had carried away.

^7C And he brought up⁵³⁹ Hadassah,¹⁹¹⁹ that is, Esther,⁶³⁵ his uncle's¹⁷³⁰ daughter:¹³²³ for she had neither father¹ nor mother,⁵¹⁷ and the maid⁵²⁹¹ was fair^33038389 and beautiful;^28964758 whom Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² when her father¹ and mother⁵¹⁷ were dead,⁴¹⁹⁴ took³⁹⁴⁷ for his own daughter.

⁸ So it came to pass, when the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment¹⁶⁹⁷ and his decree¹⁸⁸¹ was heard,⁸⁰⁸⁵ and when many⁷²²⁷ maidens⁵²⁹¹ were gathered together⁶⁹⁰⁸ unto Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace,¹⁰⁰² to the custody³⁰²⁷ of Hegai,¹⁸⁹⁶ that Esther⁶³⁵ was brought³⁹⁴⁷ also unto the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ to the custody³⁰²⁷ of Hegai,¹⁸⁹⁶ keeper⁸¹⁰⁴ of the women.

⁹ And the maiden⁵²⁹¹ pleased^31905869 him, and she obtained⁵³⁷⁵ kindness²⁶¹⁷ of him;⁶⁴⁴⁰ and he speedily⁹²⁶ gave⁵⁴¹⁴ her her things for purification,⁸⁵⁶² with such things as belonged⁴⁴⁹⁰ to her, and seven⁷⁶⁵¹ maidens,⁵²⁹¹ which were meet⁷²⁰⁰ to be given⁵⁴¹⁴ her, out of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house:¹⁰⁰⁴ and he preferred⁸¹³⁸ her and her maids⁵²⁹¹ unto the best²⁸⁹⁶ place of the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of the women.

¹⁰ Esther⁶³⁵ had not shewed⁵⁰⁴⁶ her people⁵⁹⁷¹ nor her kindred:⁴¹³⁸ for Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² had charged⁶⁶⁸⁰ her that she should not shew

¹¹ And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² walked¹⁹⁸⁰ every day³¹¹⁷ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the court²⁶⁹¹ of the women's⁸⁰² house,¹⁰⁰⁴ to know³⁰⁴⁵ how Esther⁶³⁵ did,⁷⁹⁶⁵ and what should become

¹² Now when every maid's⁵²⁹¹ turn⁸⁴⁴⁷ was come⁵⁰⁶⁰ to go in⁹³⁵ to king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ after⁷⁰⁹³ that she had been twelve^81476240 months,²³²⁰ according to the manner¹⁸⁸¹ of the women,⁸⁰² (for so were the days³¹¹⁷ of their purifications⁴⁷⁹⁵ accomplished,⁴³⁹⁰ to wit, six⁸³³⁷ months²³²⁰ with oil⁸⁰⁸¹ of myrrh,⁴⁷⁵³ and six⁸³³⁷ months²³²⁰ with sweet odours,¹³¹⁴ and with other things for the purifying⁸⁵⁶² of the women;)

¹³ Then thus came⁹³⁵ every maiden⁵²⁹¹ unto the king;⁴⁴²⁸ whatsoever she desired⁵⁵⁹ was given⁵⁴¹⁴ her to go⁹³⁵ with her out of the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of the women⁸⁰² unto the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house.

¹⁴ In the evening⁶¹⁵³ she went,⁹³⁵ and on the morrow¹²⁴² she returned⁷⁷²⁵ into the second⁸¹⁴⁵ house¹⁰⁰⁴ of the women,⁸⁰² to the custody³⁰²⁷ of Shaashgaz,⁸¹⁹⁰ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlain,⁵⁶³¹ which kept⁸¹⁰⁴ the concubines:⁶³⁷⁰ she came in⁹³⁵ unto the king⁴⁴²⁸ no more, except the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighted²⁶⁵⁴ in her, and that she were called⁷¹²¹ by name.

¹⁵ Now when the turn⁸⁴⁴⁷ of Esther,⁶³⁵ the daughter¹³²³ of Abihail³² the uncle¹⁷³⁰ of Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² who had taken³⁹⁴⁷ her for his daughter,¹³²³ was come⁵⁰⁶⁰ to go in⁹³⁵ unto the king,⁴⁴²⁸ she required¹²⁴⁵ nothing¹⁶⁹⁷ but what Hegai¹⁸⁹⁶ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlain,⁵⁶³¹ the keeper⁸¹⁰⁴ of the women,⁸⁰² appointed.⁵⁵⁹ And Esther⁶³⁵ obtained⁵³⁷⁵ favour²⁵⁸⁰ in the sight⁵⁸⁶⁹ of all them that looked

^16C So Esther⁶³⁵ was taken³⁹⁴⁷ unto king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ into his house¹⁰⁰⁴ royal⁴⁴³⁸ in the tenth⁶²²⁴ month,²³²⁰ which is the month²³²⁰ Tebeth,²⁸⁸⁷ in the seventh⁷⁶⁵¹ year⁸¹⁴¹ of his reign.

^17C And the king⁴⁴²⁸ loved¹⁵⁷ Esther⁶³⁵ above all the women,⁸⁰² and she obtained⁵³⁷⁵ grace²⁵⁸⁰ and favour²⁶¹⁷ in his sight⁶⁴⁴⁰ more than all the virgins;¹³³⁰ so that he set⁷⁷⁶⁰ the royal⁴⁴³⁸ crown³⁸⁰⁴ upon her head,⁷²¹⁸ and made her queen⁴⁴²⁷ instead of Vashti.

¹⁸ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ made⁶²¹³ a great¹⁴¹⁹ feast⁴⁹⁶⁰ unto all his princes⁸²⁶⁹ and his servants,⁵⁶⁵⁰ even Esther's⁶³⁵ feast;⁴⁹⁶⁰ and he made⁶²¹³ a release²⁰¹⁰ to the provinces,⁴⁰⁸² and gave⁵⁴¹⁴ gifts,⁴⁸⁶⁴ according to the state³⁰²⁷ of the king.

¹⁹ And when the virgins¹³³⁰ were gathered together⁶⁹⁰⁸ the second time,⁸¹⁴⁵ then Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² sat³⁴²⁷ in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate.

²⁰ Esther⁶³⁵ had not yet shewed⁵⁰⁴⁶ her kindred⁴¹³⁸ nor her people;⁵⁹⁷¹ as Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² had charged⁶⁶⁸⁰ her: for Esther⁶³⁵ did⁶²¹³ the commandment³⁹⁸² of Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² like as when she was brought up

²¹ In those days,³¹¹⁷ while Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² sat³⁴²⁷ in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate,⁸¹⁷⁹ two⁸¹⁴⁷ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlains,⁵⁶³¹ Bigthan⁹⁰⁴ and Teresh,⁸⁶⁵⁷ of those which kept⁸¹⁰⁴ the door,⁵⁵⁹² were wroth,⁷¹⁰⁷ and sought¹²⁴⁵ to lay⁷⁹⁷¹ hand³⁰²⁷ on the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus.

²² And the thing¹⁶⁹⁷ was known³⁰⁴⁵ to Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² who told⁵⁰⁴⁶ it unto Esther⁶³⁵ the queen;⁴⁴³⁶ and Esther⁶³⁵ certified⁵⁵⁹ the king⁴⁴²⁸ thereof in Mordecai's⁴⁷⁸² name.

²³ And when inquisition¹²⁴⁵ was made of the matter,¹⁶⁹⁷ it was found out;⁴⁶⁷² therefore they were both⁸¹⁴⁷ hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ on a tree:⁶⁰⁸⁶ and it was written³⁷⁸⁹ in the book⁵⁶¹² of the chronicles^16973117 before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king.

3^CAfter³¹⁰ these things¹⁶⁹⁷ did king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ promote¹⁴³¹ Haman²⁰⁰¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Hammedatha⁴⁰⁹⁹ the Agagite,⁹¹ and advanced⁵³⁷⁵ him, and set⁷⁷⁶⁰ his seat³⁶⁷⁸ above all the princes

² And all the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants,⁵⁶⁵⁰ that were in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate,⁸¹⁷⁹ bowed,³⁷⁶⁶ and reverenced⁷⁸¹² Haman:²⁰⁰¹ for the king⁴⁴²⁸ had so commanded⁶⁶⁸⁰ concerning him. But Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² bowed³⁷⁶⁶ not, nor did him reverence.

³ Then the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants,⁵⁶⁵⁰ which were in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate,⁸¹⁷⁹ said⁵⁵⁹ unto Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² Why transgressest⁵⁶⁷⁴ thou the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment?

⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spake⁵⁵⁹ daily^31173117 unto him, and he hearkened⁸⁰⁸⁵ not unto them, that they told⁵⁰⁴⁶ Haman,²⁰⁰¹ to see⁷²⁰⁰ whether Mordecai's⁴⁷⁸² matters¹⁶⁹⁷ would stand:⁵⁹⁷⁵ for he had told⁵⁰⁴⁶ them that he was a Jew.

⁵ And when Haman²⁰⁰¹ saw⁷²⁰⁰ that Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² bowed³⁷⁶⁶ not, nor did him reverence,⁷⁸¹² then was Haman²⁰⁰¹ full⁴³⁹⁰ of wrath.

^6C And he thought⁵⁸⁶⁹ scorn⁹⁵⁹ to lay⁷⁹⁷¹ hands³⁰²⁷ on Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² alone; for they had shewed⁵⁰⁴⁶ him the people⁵⁹⁷¹ of Mordecai:⁴⁷⁸² wherefore Haman²⁰⁰¹ sought¹²⁴⁵ to destroy⁸⁰⁴⁵ all the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that were throughout the whole kingdom⁴⁴³⁸ of Ahasuerus,³²⁵ even the people⁵⁹⁷¹ of Mordecai.

⁷ In the first⁷²²³ month,²³²⁰ that is, the month²³²⁰ Nisan,⁵²¹² in the twelfth^81476240 year⁸¹⁴¹ of king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ they cast⁵³⁰⁷ Pur,⁶³³² that is, the lot,¹⁴⁸⁶ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ Haman²⁰⁰¹ from day³¹¹⁷ to day,³¹¹⁷ and from month²³²⁰ to month,²³²⁰ to the twelfth^81476240 month, that is, the month²³²⁰ Adar.

^8C And Haman²⁰⁰¹ said⁵⁵⁹ unto king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ There is³⁴²⁶ a certain²⁵⁹ people⁵⁹⁷¹ scattered abroad⁶³⁴⁰ and dispersed⁶⁵⁰⁴ among the people⁵⁹⁷¹ in all the provinces⁴⁰⁸² of thy kingdom;⁴⁴³⁸ and their laws¹⁸⁸¹ are diverse⁸¹³⁸ from all people;⁵⁹⁷¹ neither keep⁶²¹³ they the king's⁴⁴²⁸ laws:¹⁸⁸¹ therefore it is not for the king's⁴⁴²⁸ profit⁷⁷³⁷ to suffer

^9C If it please²⁸⁹⁵ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ let it be written³⁷⁸⁹ that they may be destroyed:⁶ and I will pay⁸²⁵⁴ ten⁶²³⁵ thousand⁵⁰⁵ talents³⁶⁰³ of silver³⁷⁰¹ to the hands³⁰²⁷ of those that have the charge⁶²¹³ of the business,⁴³⁹⁹ to bring⁹³⁵ it into the king's⁴⁴²⁸ treasuries.

^10C And the king⁴⁴²⁸ took⁵⁴⁹³ his ring²⁸⁸⁵ from his hand,³⁰²⁷ and gave⁵⁴¹⁴ it unto Haman²⁰⁰¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Hammedatha⁴⁰⁹⁹ the Agagite,⁹¹ the Jews'³⁰⁶⁴ enemy.

¹¹ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ unto Haman,²⁰⁰¹ The silver³⁷⁰¹ is given⁵⁴¹⁴ to thee, the people⁵⁹⁷¹ also, to do⁶²¹³ with them as it seemeth⁵⁸⁶⁹ good

¹² Then were the king's⁴⁴²⁸ scribes⁵⁶⁰⁸ called⁷¹²¹ on the thirteenth^79696240 day³¹¹⁷ of the first⁷²²³ month,²³²⁰ and there was written³⁷⁸⁹ according to all that Haman²⁰⁰¹ had commanded⁶⁶⁸⁰ unto the king's⁴⁴²⁸ lieutenants,³²³ and to the governors⁶³⁴⁶ that were over every province,⁴⁰⁸² and to the rulers⁸²⁶⁹ of every people⁵⁹⁷¹ of every province⁴⁰⁸² according to the writing³⁷⁹¹ thereof, and to every people⁵⁹⁷¹ after their language;³⁹⁵⁶ in the name⁸⁰³⁴ of king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ was it written,³⁷⁸⁹ and sealed²⁸⁵⁶ with the king's⁴⁴²⁸ ring.

¹³ And the letters⁵⁶¹² were sent⁷⁹⁷¹ by³⁰²⁷ posts⁷³²³ into all the king's⁴⁴²⁸ provinces,⁴⁰⁸² to destroy,⁸⁰⁴⁵ to kill,²⁰²⁶ and to cause to perish,⁶ all Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ both young⁵²⁸⁸ and old,²²⁰⁵ little children²⁹⁴⁵ and women,⁸⁰² in one²⁵⁹ day,³¹¹⁷ even upon the thirteenth^79696240 day of the twelfth^81476240 month,²³²⁰ which is the month²³²⁰ Adar,¹⁴³ and to take the spoil⁷⁹⁹⁸ of them for a prey.

¹⁴ The copy⁶⁵⁷² of the writing³⁷⁹¹ for a commandment¹⁸⁸¹ to be given⁵⁴¹⁴ in every province⁴⁰⁸² was published¹⁵⁴⁰ unto all people,⁵⁹⁷¹ that they should be ready⁶²⁶⁴ against that day.

¹⁵ The posts⁷³²³ went out,³³¹⁸ being hastened¹⁷⁶⁵ by the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment,¹⁶⁹⁷ and the decree¹⁸⁸¹ was given⁵⁴¹⁴ in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace.¹⁰⁰² And the king⁴⁴²⁸ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ sat down³⁴²⁷ to drink;⁸³⁵⁴ but the city⁵⁸⁹² Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ was perplexed.

4^CWhen Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² perceived³⁰⁴⁵ all that was done,⁶²¹³ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² rent⁷¹⁶⁷ his clothes,⁸⁹⁹ and put on³⁸⁴⁷ sackcloth⁸²⁴² with ashes,⁶⁶⁵ and went out³³¹⁸ into the midst⁸⁴³² of the city,⁵⁸⁹² and cried²¹⁹⁹ with a loud¹⁴¹⁹ and a bitter⁴⁷⁵¹ cry;

² And came⁹³⁵ even before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate:⁸¹⁷⁹ for none might enter⁹³⁵ into the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate⁸¹⁷⁹ clothed³⁸³⁰ with sackcloth.

³ And in every province,⁴⁰⁸² whithersoever⁴⁷²⁵ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment¹⁶⁹⁷ and his decree¹⁸⁸¹ came,⁵⁰⁶⁰ there was great¹⁴¹⁹ mourning⁶⁰ among the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ and fasting,⁶⁶⁸⁵ and weeping,¹⁰⁶⁵ and wailing;⁴⁵⁵³ and many⁷²²⁷ lay³³³¹ in sackcloth⁸²⁴² and ashes.

⁴ So Esther's⁶³⁵ maids⁵²⁹¹ and her chamberlains⁵⁶³¹ came⁹³⁵ and told⁵⁰⁴⁶ it her. Then was the queen⁴⁴³⁶ exceedingly³⁹⁶⁶ grieved;²³⁴² and she sent⁷⁹⁷¹ raiment⁸⁹⁹ to clothe³⁸⁴⁷ Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² and to take away⁵⁴⁹³ his sackcloth⁸²⁴² from him: but he received

⁵ Then called⁷¹²¹ Esther⁶³⁵ for Hatach,²⁰⁴⁷ one of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlains,⁵⁶³¹ whom he had appointed⁵⁹⁷⁵ to attend⁶⁴⁴⁰ upon her, and gave him a commandment⁶⁶⁸⁰ to Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² to know

⁶ So Hatach²⁰⁴⁷ went forth³³¹⁸ to Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² unto the street⁷³³⁹ of the city,⁵⁸⁹² which was before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate.

⁷ And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² told⁵⁰⁴⁶ him of all that had happened⁷¹³⁶ unto him, and of the sum⁶⁵⁷⁵ of the money³⁷⁰¹ that Haman²⁰⁰¹ had promised⁵⁵⁹ to pay⁸²⁵⁴ to the king's⁴⁴²⁸ treasuries¹⁵⁹⁵ for the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ to destroy

⁸ Also he gave⁵⁴¹⁴ him the copy⁶⁵⁷² of the writing³⁷⁹¹ of the decree¹⁸⁸¹ that was given⁵⁴¹⁴ at Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ to destroy⁸⁰⁴⁵ them, to shew⁷²⁰⁰ it unto Esther,⁶³⁵ and to declare⁵⁰⁴⁶ it unto her, and to charge⁶⁶⁸⁰ her that she should go in⁹³⁵ unto the king,⁴⁴²⁸ to make supplication²⁶⁰³ unto him, and to make request¹²⁴⁵ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ him for her people.

⁹ And Hatach²⁰⁴⁷ came⁹³⁵ and told⁵⁰⁴⁶ Esther⁶³⁵ the words¹⁶⁹⁷ of Mordecai.

¹⁰ Again Esther⁶³⁵ spake⁵⁵⁹ unto Hatach,²⁰⁴⁷ and gave him commandment⁶⁶⁸⁰ unto Mordecai;

^11C All the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants,⁵⁶⁵⁰ and the people⁵⁹⁷¹ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ provinces,⁴⁰⁸² do know,³⁰⁴⁵ that whosoever, whether man³⁷⁶ or woman,⁸⁰² shall come⁹³⁵ unto the king⁴⁴²⁸ into the inner⁶⁴⁴² court,²⁶⁹¹ who is not called,⁷¹²¹ there is one²⁵⁹ law¹⁸⁸¹ of his to put him to death,⁴¹⁹¹ except⁹⁰⁵ such to whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ shall hold out³⁴⁴⁷ the golden²⁰⁹¹ sceptre,⁸²⁷⁵ that he may live:²⁴²¹ but I have not been called⁷¹²¹ to come in⁹³⁵ unto the king⁴⁴²⁸ these thirty⁷⁹⁷⁰ days.

¹² And they told⁵⁰⁴⁶ to Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² Esther's⁶³⁵ words.

¹³ Then Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² commanded⁵⁵⁹ to answer⁷⁷²⁵ Esther,⁶³⁵ Think¹⁸¹⁹ not with thyself⁵³¹⁵ that thou shalt escape⁴⁴²² in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ more than all the Jews.

^14C For if thou altogether²⁷⁹⁰ holdest thy peace²⁷⁹⁰ at this time,⁶²⁵⁶ then shall there enlargement⁷³⁰⁵ and deliverance²⁰²⁰ arise⁵⁹⁷⁵ to the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ from another³¹² place;⁴⁷²⁵ but thou and thy father's¹ house¹⁰⁰⁴ shall be destroyed:⁶ and who knoweth³⁰⁴⁵ whether thou art come⁵⁰⁶⁰ to the kingdom⁴⁴³⁸ for such a time

¹⁵ Then Esther⁶³⁵ bade⁵⁵⁹ them return⁷⁷²⁵ Mordecai

^16C Go,³²¹² gather together³⁶⁶⁴ all the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that are present⁴⁶⁷² in Shushan,⁷⁸⁰⁰ and fast⁶⁶⁸⁴ ye for me, and neither eat³⁹⁸ nor drink⁸³⁵⁴ three⁷⁹⁶⁹ days,³¹¹⁷ night³⁹¹⁵ or day:³¹¹⁷ I also and my maidens⁵²⁹¹ will fast⁶⁶⁸⁴ likewise; and so³⁶⁵¹ will I go⁹³⁵ in unto the king,⁴⁴²⁸ which is not according to the law:¹⁸⁸¹ and if I perish,⁶ I perish.

¹⁷ So Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² went his way,⁵⁶⁷⁴ and did⁶²¹³ according to all that Esther⁶³⁵ had commanded

5^CNow it came to pass on the third⁷⁹⁹² day,³¹¹⁷ that Esther⁶³⁵ put on³⁸⁴⁷ her royal⁴⁴³⁸ apparel, and stood⁵⁹⁷⁵ in the inner⁶⁴⁴² court²⁶⁹¹ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ over against⁵²²⁷ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house:¹⁰⁰⁴ and the king⁴⁴²⁸ sat³⁴²⁷ upon his royal⁴⁴³⁸ throne³⁶⁷⁸ in the royal⁴⁴³⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ over against⁵²²⁷ the gate⁶⁶⁰⁷ of the house.

^2C And it was so, when the king⁴⁴²⁸ saw⁷²⁰⁰ Esther⁶³⁵ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ standing⁵⁹⁷⁵ in the court,²⁶⁹¹ that she obtained⁵³⁷⁵ favour²⁵⁸⁰ in his sight:⁵⁸⁶⁹ and the king⁴⁴²⁸ held out³⁴⁴⁷ to Esther⁶³⁵ the golden²⁰⁹¹ sceptre⁸²⁷⁵ that was in his hand.³⁰²⁷ So Esther⁶³⁵ drew near,⁷¹²⁶ and touched⁵⁰⁶⁰ the top⁷²¹⁸ of the sceptre.

^3C Then said⁵⁵⁹ the king⁴⁴²⁸ unto her, What wilt thou, queen⁴⁴³⁶ Esther?⁶³⁵ and what is thy request?¹²⁴⁶ it shall be even given⁵⁴¹⁴ thee to the half²⁶⁷⁷ of the kingdom.

⁴ And Esther⁶³⁵ answered,⁵⁵⁹ If it seem good²⁸⁹⁵ unto the king,⁴⁴²⁸ let the king⁴⁴²⁸ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ come⁹³⁵ this day³¹¹⁷ unto the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ that I have prepared

⁵ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ said,⁵⁵⁹ Cause Haman²⁰⁰¹ to make haste,⁴¹¹⁶ that he may do⁶²¹³ as Esther⁶³⁵ hath said.¹⁶⁹⁷ So the king⁴⁴²⁸ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ came⁹³⁵ to the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ that Esther⁶³⁵ had prepared.

⁶ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ unto Esther⁶³⁵ at the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ of wine,³¹⁹⁶ What is thy petition?⁷⁵⁹⁶ and it shall be granted⁵⁴¹⁴ thee: and what is thy request?¹²⁴⁶ even to the half²⁶⁷⁷ of the kingdom⁴⁴³⁸ it shall be performed.

⁷ Then answered⁶⁰³⁰ Esther,⁶³⁵ and said,⁵⁵⁹ My petition⁷⁵⁹⁶ and my request

^8C If I have found⁴⁶⁷² favour²⁵⁸⁰ in the sight⁵⁸⁶⁹ of the king,⁴⁴²⁸ and if it please²⁸⁹⁵ the king⁴⁴²⁸ to grant⁵⁴¹⁴ my petition,⁷⁵⁹⁶ and to perform⁶²¹³ my request,¹²⁴⁶ let the king⁴⁴²⁸ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ come⁹³⁵ to the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ that I shall prepare⁶²¹³ for them, and I will do⁶²¹³ to morrow⁴²⁷⁹ as the king⁴⁴²⁸ hath said.

⁹ Then went³³¹⁸ Haman²⁰⁰¹ forth³³¹⁸ that day³¹¹⁷ joyful⁸⁰⁵⁶ and with a glad²⁸⁹⁶ heart:³⁸²⁰ but when Haman²⁰⁰¹ saw⁷²⁰⁰ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate,⁸¹⁷⁹ that he stood not up,⁶⁹⁶⁵ nor moved²¹¹¹ for him, he²⁰⁰¹ was full⁴³⁹⁰ of indignation²⁵³⁴ against Mordecai.

¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman²⁰⁰¹ refrained⁶⁶² himself: and when he came⁹³⁵ home,¹⁰⁰⁴ he sent⁷⁹⁷¹ and called⁹³⁵ for his friends,¹⁵⁷ and Zeresh²²³⁸ his wife.

¹¹ And Haman²⁰⁰¹ told⁵⁶⁰⁸ them of the glory³⁵¹⁹ of his riches,⁶²³⁹ and the multitude⁷²³⁰ of his children,¹¹²¹ and all the things wherein the king⁴⁴²⁸ had promoted¹⁴³¹ him, and how he had advanced⁵³⁷⁵ him above the princes⁸²⁶⁹ and servants⁵⁶⁵⁰ of the king.

¹² Haman²⁰⁰¹ said⁵⁵⁹ moreover, Yea, Esther⁶³⁵ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ did let no man come in⁹³⁵ with the king⁴⁴²⁸ unto the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ that she had prepared⁶²¹³ but myself; and to morrow⁴²⁷⁹ am I invited⁷¹²¹ unto her also with the king.

¹³ Yet all this availeth⁷⁷³⁷ me nothing, so long as⁶²⁵⁶ I see⁷²⁰⁰ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew³⁰⁶⁴ sitting³⁴²⁷ at the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate.

¹⁴ Then said⁵⁵⁹ Zeresh²²³⁸ his wife⁸⁰² and all his friends¹⁵⁷ unto him, Let a gallows⁶⁰⁸⁶ be made⁶²¹³ of fifty²⁵⁷² cubits⁵²⁰ high,¹³⁶⁴ and to morrow¹²⁴² speak⁵⁵⁹ thou unto the king⁴⁴²⁸ that Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² may be hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ thereon: then go⁹³⁵ thou in merrily⁸⁰⁵⁶ with the king⁴⁴²⁸ unto the banquet.⁴⁹⁶⁰ And the thing¹⁶⁹⁷ pleased^31906440 Haman;²⁰⁰¹ and he caused⁶²¹³ the gallows⁶⁰⁸⁶ to be made.

6On that night³⁹¹⁵ could not⁵⁰⁷⁴ the king⁴⁴²⁸ sleep,⁸¹⁴² and he commanded⁵⁵⁹ to bring⁹³⁵ the book⁵⁶¹² of records²¹⁴⁶ of the chronicles;^16973117 and they were read⁷¹²¹ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king.

^2C And it was found⁴⁶⁷² written,³⁷⁸⁹ that Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² had told⁵⁰⁴⁶ of Bigthana⁹⁰⁴ and Teresh,⁸⁶⁵⁷ two⁸¹⁴⁷ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlains,⁵⁶³¹ the keepers⁸¹⁰⁴ of the door,⁵⁵⁹² who sought¹²⁴⁵ to lay⁷⁹⁷¹ hand³⁰²⁷ on the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus.

³ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said,⁵⁵⁹ What honour³³⁶⁶ and dignity¹⁴²⁰ hath been done⁶²¹³ to Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² for this? Then said⁵⁵⁹ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants⁵²⁸⁸ that ministered⁸³³⁴ unto him, There is nothing¹⁶⁹⁷ done

⁴ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said,⁵⁵⁹ Who is in the court?²⁶⁹¹ Now Haman²⁰⁰¹ was come⁹³⁵ into the outward²⁴³⁵ court²⁶⁹¹ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ to speak⁵⁵⁹ unto the king⁴⁴²⁸ to hang⁸⁵¹⁸ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² on the gallows⁶⁰⁸⁶ that he had prepared

⁵ And the king's⁴⁴²⁸ servants⁵²⁸⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ unto him, Behold, Haman²⁰⁰¹ standeth⁵⁹⁷⁵ in the court.²⁶⁹¹ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said,⁵⁵⁹ Let him come in.

⁶ So Haman²⁰⁰¹ came in.⁹³⁵ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ unto him, What shall be done⁶²¹³ unto the man³⁷⁶ whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighteth²⁶⁵⁴ to honour?³³⁶⁶ Now Haman²⁰⁰¹ thought⁵⁵⁹ in his heart,³⁸²⁰ To whom would the king⁴⁴²⁸ delight²⁶⁵⁴ to do⁶²¹³ honour³³⁶⁶ more

⁷ And Haman²⁰⁰¹ answered⁵⁵⁹ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ For the man³⁷⁶ whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighteth²⁶⁵⁴ to honour,

⁸ Let the royal⁴⁴³⁸ apparel³⁸³⁰ be brought⁹³⁵ which the king⁴⁴²⁸ useth to wear,³⁸⁴⁷ and the horse⁵⁴⁸³ that the king⁴⁴²⁸ rideth⁷³⁹² upon, and the crown³⁸⁰⁴ royal⁴⁴³⁸ which is set⁵⁴¹⁴ upon his head:

⁹ And let this apparel³⁸³⁰ and horse⁵⁴⁸³ be delivered⁵⁴¹⁴ to the hand³⁰²⁷ of one³⁷⁶ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ most noble⁶⁵⁷⁹ princes,⁸²⁶⁹ that they may array³⁸⁴⁷ the man³⁷⁶ withal whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighteth²⁶⁵⁴ to honour,³³⁶⁶ and bring⁷³⁹² him on horseback⁵⁴⁸³ through the street⁷³³⁹ of the city,⁵⁸⁹² and proclaim⁷¹²¹ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ him, Thus shall it be done⁶²¹³ to the man³⁷⁶ whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighteth²⁶⁵⁴ to honour.

¹⁰ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ to Haman,²⁰⁰¹ Make haste,⁴¹¹⁶ and take³⁹⁴⁷ the apparel³⁸³⁰ and the horse,⁵⁴⁸³ as thou hast said,¹⁶⁹⁶ and do⁶²¹³ even so to Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew,³⁰⁶⁴ that sitteth³⁴²⁷ at the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate:⁸¹⁷⁹ let nothing¹⁶⁹⁷ fail⁵³⁰⁷ of all that thou hast spoken.

¹¹ Then took³⁹⁴⁷ Haman²⁰⁰¹ the apparel³⁸³⁰ and the horse,⁵⁴⁸³ and arrayed³⁸⁴⁷ Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² and brought him on horseback⁷³⁹² through the street⁷³³⁹ of the city,⁵⁸⁹² and proclaimed⁷¹²¹ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ him, Thus shall it be done⁶²¹³ unto the man³⁷⁶ whom the king⁴⁴²⁸ delighteth²⁶⁵⁴ to honour.

¹² And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² came again⁷⁷²⁵ to the king's⁴⁴²⁸ gate.⁸¹⁷⁹ But Haman²⁰⁰¹ hasted¹⁷⁶⁵ to his house¹⁰⁰⁴ mourning,⁵⁷ and having his head⁷²¹⁸ covered.

¹³ And Haman²⁰⁰¹ told⁵⁶⁰⁸ Zeresh²²³⁸ his wife⁸⁰² and all his friends¹⁵⁷ every thing that had befallen⁷¹³⁶ him. Then said⁵⁵⁹ his wise men²⁴⁵⁰ and Zeresh²²³⁸ his wife⁸⁰² unto him, If Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² be of the seed²²³³ of the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ whom thou hast begun²⁴⁹⁰ to fall,⁵³⁰⁷ thou shalt not prevail³²⁰¹ against him, but shalt surely⁵³⁰⁷ fall⁵³⁰⁷ before

¹⁴ And while they were yet talking¹⁶⁹⁶ with him, came⁵⁰⁶⁰ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ chamberlains,⁵⁶³¹ and hasted⁹²⁶ to bring⁹³⁵ Haman²⁰⁰¹ unto the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ that Esther⁶³⁵ had prepared.

7So the king⁴⁴²⁸ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ came⁹³⁵ to banquet⁸³⁵⁴ with Esther⁶³⁵ the queen.

² And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ again unto Esther⁶³⁵ on the second⁸¹⁴⁵ day³¹¹⁷ at the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ of wine,³¹⁹⁶ What is thy petition,⁷⁵⁹⁶ queen⁴⁴³⁶ Esther?⁶³⁵ and it shall be granted⁵⁴¹⁴ thee: and what is thy request?¹²⁴⁶ and it shall be performed,⁶²¹³ even to the half²⁶⁷⁷ of the kingdom.

³ Then Esther⁶³⁵ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ answered⁶⁰³⁰ and said,⁵⁵⁹ If I have found⁴⁶⁷² favour²⁵⁸⁰ in thy sight,⁵⁸⁶⁹ O king,⁴⁴²⁸ and if it please²⁸⁹⁵ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ let my life⁵³¹⁵ be given⁵⁴¹⁴ me at my petition,⁷⁵⁹⁶ and my people⁵⁹⁷¹ at my request:

⁴ For we are sold,⁴³⁷⁶ I and my people,⁵⁹⁷¹ to be destroyed,⁸⁰⁴⁵ to be slain,²⁰²⁶ and to perish.⁶ But if⁴³² we had been sold⁴³⁷⁶ for bondmen⁵⁶⁵⁰ and bondwomen,⁸¹⁹⁸ I had held my tongue,²⁷⁹⁰ although the enemy⁶⁸⁶² could not countervail⁷⁷³⁷ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ damage.

⁵ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ answered⁵⁵⁹ and said⁵⁵⁹ unto Esther⁶³⁵ the queen,⁴⁴³⁶ Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume⁴³⁹⁰ in his heart³⁸²⁰ to do

⁶ And Esther⁶³⁵ said,⁵⁵⁹ The adversary^3766862 and enemy³⁴¹ is this wicked⁷⁴⁵¹ Haman.²⁰⁰¹ Then Haman²⁰⁰¹ was afraid¹²⁰⁴ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king⁴⁴²⁸ and the queen.

⁷ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ arising⁶⁹⁶⁵ from the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ of wine³¹⁹⁶ in his wrath²⁵³⁴ went into the palace¹⁰⁵⁵ garden:¹⁵⁹⁴ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ stood up⁵⁹⁷⁵ to make request¹²⁴⁵ for his life⁵³¹⁵ to Esther⁶³⁵ the queen;⁴⁴³⁶ for he saw⁷²⁰⁰ that there was evil⁷⁴⁵¹ determined³⁶¹⁵ against him by the king.

⁸ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ returned⁷⁷²⁵ out of the palace¹⁰⁵⁵ garden¹⁵⁹⁴ into the place¹⁰⁰⁴ of the banquet⁴⁹⁶⁰ of wine;³¹⁹⁶ and Haman²⁰⁰¹ was fallen⁵³⁰⁷ upon the bed⁴²⁹⁶ whereon Esther⁶³⁵ was. Then said⁵⁵⁹ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ Will he force³⁵³³ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ also before me in the house?¹⁰⁰⁴ As the word¹⁶⁹⁷ went out³³¹⁸ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ mouth,⁶³¹⁰ they covered²⁶⁴⁵ Haman's²⁰⁰¹ face.

⁹ And Harbonah,²⁷²⁶ one²⁵⁹ of the chamberlains,⁵⁶³¹ said⁵⁵⁹ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ Behold also, the gallows⁶⁰⁸⁶ fifty²⁵⁷² cubits⁵²⁰ high,¹³⁶⁴ which Haman²⁰⁰¹ had made⁶²¹³ for Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² who had spoken¹⁶⁹⁶ good²⁸⁹⁶ for the king,⁴⁴²⁸ standeth⁵⁹⁷⁵ in the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of Haman.²⁰⁰¹ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ said,⁵⁵⁹ Hang

^10C So they hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ Haman²⁰⁰¹ on the gallows⁶⁰⁸⁶ that he had prepared³⁵⁵⁹ for Mordecai.⁴⁷⁸² Then was the king's⁴⁴²⁸ wrath²⁵³⁴ pacified.

8^COn that day³¹¹⁷ did the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ give⁵⁴¹⁴ the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of Haman²⁰⁰¹ the Jews'³⁰⁶⁴ enemy⁶⁸⁸⁷ unto Esther⁶³⁵ the queen.⁴⁴³⁶ And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² came⁹³⁵ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king;⁴⁴²⁸ for Esther⁶³⁵ had told

^2C And the king⁴⁴²⁸ took off⁵⁴⁹³ his ring,²⁸⁸⁵ which he had taken⁵⁶⁷⁴ from Haman,²⁰⁰¹ and gave⁵⁴¹⁴ it unto Mordecai.⁴⁷⁸² And Esther⁶³⁵ set⁷⁷⁶⁰ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² over the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of Haman.

³ And Esther⁶³⁵ spake¹⁶⁹⁶ yet again³²⁵⁴ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ and fell down⁵³⁰⁷ at⁶⁴⁴⁰ his feet,⁷²⁷² and besought²⁶⁰³ him with tears¹⁰⁵⁸ to put away⁵⁶⁷⁴ the mischief⁷⁴⁵¹ of Haman²⁰⁰¹ the Agagite,⁹¹ and his device⁴²⁸⁴ that he had devised²⁸⁰³ against the Jews.

⁴ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ held out³⁴⁴⁷ the golden²⁰⁹¹ sceptre⁸²⁷⁵ toward Esther.⁶³⁵ So Esther⁶³⁵ arose,⁶⁹⁶⁵ and stood⁵⁹⁷⁵ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king,

⁵ And said,⁵⁵⁹ If it please²⁸⁹⁶ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ and if I have found⁴⁶⁷² favour²⁵⁸⁰ in his sight,⁶⁴⁴⁰ and the thing¹⁶⁹⁷ seem right³⁷⁸⁷ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ and I be pleasing²⁸⁹⁶ in his eyes,⁵⁸⁶⁹ let it be written³⁷⁸⁹ to reverse⁷⁷²⁵ the letters⁵⁶¹² devised⁴²⁸⁴ by Haman²⁰⁰¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Hammedatha⁴⁰⁹⁹ the Agagite,⁹¹ which he wrote³⁷⁸⁹ to destroy⁶ the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ which are in all the king's⁴⁴²⁸ provinces:

⁶ For how³⁴⁹ can I endure³²⁰¹ to see⁷²⁰⁰ the evil⁷⁴⁵¹ that shall come⁴⁶⁷² unto my people?⁵⁹⁷¹ or how³⁴⁹ can I endure³²⁰¹ to see⁷²⁰⁰ the destruction¹³ of my kindred?

⁷ Then the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ said⁵⁵⁹ unto Esther⁶³⁵ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ and to Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew,³⁰⁶⁴ Behold, I have given⁵⁴¹⁴ Esther⁶³⁵ the house¹⁰⁰⁴ of Haman,²⁰⁰¹ and him they have hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ upon the gallows,⁶⁰⁸⁶ because he laid⁷⁹⁷¹ his hand³⁰²⁷ upon the Jews.

^8C Write³⁷⁸⁹ ye also for the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ as it liketh²⁸⁹⁶ you,⁵⁸⁶⁹ in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ name,⁸⁰³⁴ and seal²⁸⁵⁶ it with the king's⁴⁴²⁸ ring:²⁸⁸⁵ for the writing³⁷⁹¹ which is written³⁷⁸⁹ in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ name,⁸⁰³⁴ and sealed²⁸⁵⁶ with the king's⁴⁴²⁸ ring,²⁸⁸⁵ may no man reverse.

⁹ Then were the king's⁴⁴²⁸ scribes⁵⁶⁰⁸ called⁷¹²¹ at that time⁶²⁵⁶ in the third⁷⁹⁹² month,²³²⁰ that is, the month²³²⁰ Sivan,⁵⁵¹⁰ on the three⁷⁹⁶⁹ and twentieth⁶²⁴² day thereof; and it was written³⁷⁸⁹ according to all that Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² commanded⁶⁶⁸⁰ unto the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ and to the lieutenants,³²³ and the deputies⁶³⁴⁶ and rulers⁸²⁶⁹ of the provinces⁴⁰⁸² which are from India¹⁹¹² unto Ethiopia,³⁵⁶⁸ an hundred³⁹⁶⁷ twenty⁶²⁴² and seven⁷⁶⁵¹ provinces,⁴⁰⁸² unto every province⁴⁰⁸² according to the writing³⁷⁹¹ thereof, and unto every people⁵⁹⁷¹ after their language,³⁹⁵⁶ and to the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ according to their writing,³⁷⁹¹ and according to their language.

¹⁰ And he wrote³⁷⁸⁹ in the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus'³²⁵ name,⁸⁰³⁴ and sealed²⁸⁵⁶ it with the king's⁴⁴²⁸ ring,²⁸⁸⁵ and sent⁷⁹⁷¹ letters⁵⁶¹² by³⁰²⁷ posts⁷³²³ on horseback,⁵⁴⁸³ and riders⁷³⁹² on mules,⁷⁴⁰⁹ camels,³²⁷ and young¹¹²¹ dromedaries:

¹¹ Wherein the king⁴⁴²⁸ granted⁵⁴¹⁴ the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ which were in every city⁵⁸⁹² to gather themselves together,⁶⁹⁵⁰ and to stand⁵⁹⁷⁵ for their life,⁵³¹⁵ to destroy,⁸⁰⁴⁵ to slay,²⁰²⁶ and to cause to perish,⁶ all the power²⁴²⁸ of the people⁵⁹⁷¹ and province⁴⁰⁸² that would assault⁶⁶⁹⁶ them, both little ones²⁹⁴⁵ and women,⁸⁰² and to take the spoil⁷⁹⁹⁸ of them for a prey,

¹² Upon one²⁵⁹ day³¹¹⁷ in all the provinces⁴⁰⁸² of king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ namely, upon the thirteenth^79696240 day of the twelfth^81476240 month,²³²⁰ which is the month²³²⁰ Adar.

¹³ The copy⁶⁵⁷² of the writing³⁷⁹¹ for a commandment¹⁸⁸¹ to be given⁵⁴¹⁴ in every province⁴⁰⁸² was published¹⁵⁴⁰ unto all people,⁵⁹⁷¹ and that the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ should be ready^62646259 against that day³¹¹⁷ to avenge⁵³⁵⁸ themselves on their enemies.

¹⁴ So the posts⁷³²³ that rode⁷³⁹² upon mules⁷⁴⁰⁹ and camels³²⁷ went out,³³¹⁸ being hastened⁹²⁶ and pressed on¹⁷⁶⁵ by the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment.¹⁶⁹⁷ And the decree¹⁸⁸¹ was given⁵⁴¹⁴ at Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace.

¹⁵ And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² went out³³¹⁸ from the presence⁶⁴⁴⁰ of the king⁴⁴²⁸ in royal⁴⁴³⁸ apparel³⁸³⁰ of blue⁸⁵⁰⁴ and white,²³⁵³ and with a great¹⁴¹⁹ crown⁵⁸⁵⁰ of gold,²⁰⁹¹ and with a garment⁸⁵⁰⁹ of fine linen⁹⁴⁸ and purple:⁷¹³ and the city⁵⁸⁹² of Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ rejoiced⁶⁶⁷⁰ and was glad.

^16C The Jews³⁰⁶⁴ had light,²¹⁹ and gladness,⁸⁰⁵⁷ and joy,⁸³⁴² and honour.

¹⁷ And in every province,⁴⁰⁸² and in every city,⁵⁸⁹² whithersoever⁴⁷²⁵ the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment¹⁶⁹⁷ and his decree¹⁸⁸¹ came,⁵⁰⁶⁰ the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ had joy⁸⁰⁵⁷ and gladness,⁸³⁴² a feast⁴⁹⁶⁰ and a good²⁸⁹⁶ day.³¹¹⁷ And many⁷²²⁷ of the people⁵⁹⁷¹ of the land⁷⁷⁶ became Jews;³⁰⁵⁴ for the fear⁶³⁴³ of the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ fell

9Now in the twelfth^81476240 month,²³²⁰ that is, the month²³²⁰ Adar,¹⁴³ on the thirteenth^79696240 day³¹¹⁷ of the same, when the king's⁴⁴²⁸ commandment¹⁶⁹⁷ and his decree¹⁸⁸¹ drew near⁵⁰⁶⁰ to be put in execution,⁶²¹³ in the day³¹¹⁷ that the enemies³⁴¹ of the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ hoped⁷⁶⁶³ to have power⁷⁹⁸⁰ over them, (though it was turned²⁰¹⁵ to the contrary, that the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ had rule⁷⁹⁸⁰ over them that hated

² The Jews³⁰⁶⁴ gathered themselves together⁶⁹⁵⁰ in their cities⁵⁸⁹² throughout all the provinces⁴⁰⁸² of the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ to lay⁷⁹⁷¹ hand³⁰²⁷ on such as sought¹²⁴⁵ their hurt:⁷⁴⁵¹ and no man³⁷⁶ could withstand⁵⁹⁷⁵ them;⁶⁴⁴⁰ for the fear⁶³⁴³ of them fell⁵³⁰⁷ upon all people.

³ And all the rulers⁸²⁶⁹ of the provinces,⁴⁰⁸² and the lieutenants,³²³ and the deputies,⁶³⁴⁶ and officers^62134399 of the king,⁴⁴²⁸ helped⁵³⁷⁵ the Jews;³⁰⁶⁴ because the fear⁶³⁴³ of Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² fell

⁴ For Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² was great¹⁴¹⁹ in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ house,¹⁰⁰⁴ and his fame⁸⁰⁸⁹ went out¹⁹⁸⁰ throughout all the provinces:⁴⁰⁸² for this man³⁷⁶ Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² waxed¹⁹⁸⁰ greater and greater.

^5C Thus the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ smote⁵²²¹ all their enemies³⁴¹ with the stroke⁴³⁴⁷ of the sword,²⁷¹⁹ and slaughter,²⁰²⁷ and destruction,¹² and did⁶²¹³ what they would⁷⁵²² unto those that hated

⁶ And in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace¹⁰⁰² the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ slew²⁰²⁶ and destroyed⁶ five²⁵⁶⁸ hundred³⁹⁶⁷ men.

⁷ And Parshandatha,⁶⁵⁷⁷ and Dalphon,¹⁸¹³ and Aspatha,

⁸ And Poratha,⁶³³⁴ and Adalia,¹¹⁸ and Aridatha,

⁹ And Parmashta,⁶⁵³⁴ and Arisai,⁷⁴⁷ and Aridai,⁷⁴² and Vajezatha,

¹⁰ The ten⁶²³⁵ sons¹¹²¹ of Haman²⁰⁰¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Hammedatha,⁴⁰⁹⁹ the enemy⁶⁸⁸⁷ of the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ slew²⁰²⁶ they; but on the spoil⁹⁶¹ laid⁷⁹⁷¹ they not their hand.

¹¹ On that day³¹¹⁷ the number⁴⁵⁵⁷ of those that were slain²⁰²⁶ in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace¹⁰⁰² was brought⁹³⁵ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king.

¹² And the king⁴⁴²⁸ said⁵⁵⁹ unto Esther⁶³⁵ the queen,⁴⁴³⁶ The Jews³⁰⁶⁴ have slain²⁰²⁶ and destroyed⁶ five²⁵⁶⁸ hundred³⁹⁶⁷ men³⁷⁶ in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ the palace,¹⁰⁰² and the ten⁶²³⁵ sons¹¹²¹ of Haman;²⁰⁰¹ what have they done⁶²¹³ in the rest⁷⁶⁰⁵ of the king's⁴⁴²⁸ provinces?⁴⁰⁸² now what is thy petition?⁷⁵⁹⁶ and it shall be granted⁵⁴¹⁴ thee: or what is thy request¹²⁴⁶ further?⁵⁷⁵⁰ and it shall be done.

¹³ Then said⁵⁵⁹ Esther,⁶³⁵ If it please²⁸⁹⁶ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ let it be granted⁵⁴¹⁴ to the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ which are in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ to do⁶²¹³ to morrow⁴²⁷⁹ also according unto this day's³¹¹⁷ decree,¹⁸⁸¹ and let Haman's²⁰⁰¹ ten⁶²³⁵ sons¹¹²¹ be hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ upon the gallows.

¹⁴ And the king⁴⁴²⁸ commanded⁵⁵⁹ it so to be done:⁶²¹³ and the decree¹⁸⁸¹ was given⁵⁴¹⁴ at Shushan;⁷⁸⁰⁰ and they hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ Haman's²⁰⁰¹ ten⁶²³⁵ sons.

¹⁵ For the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that were in Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ gathered themselves together⁶⁹⁵⁰ on the fourteenth^7026240 day³¹¹⁷ also of the month²³²⁰ Adar,¹⁴³ and slew²⁰²⁶ three⁷⁹⁶⁹ hundred³⁹⁶⁷ men³⁷⁶ at Shushan;⁷⁸⁰⁰ but on the prey⁹⁶¹ they laid⁷⁹⁷¹ not their hand.

¹⁶ But the other⁷⁶⁰⁵ Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that were in the king's⁴⁴²⁸ provinces⁴⁰⁸² gathered themselves together,⁶⁹⁵⁰ and stood⁵⁹⁷⁵ for their lives,⁵³¹⁵ and had rest⁵¹¹⁸ from their enemies,³⁴¹ and slew²⁰²⁶ of their foes⁸¹³⁰ seventy⁷⁶⁵⁷ and five²⁵⁶⁸ thousand,⁵⁰⁵ but they laid⁷⁹⁷¹ not their hands³⁰²⁷ on the prey,

¹⁷ On the thirteenth^79696240 day³¹¹⁷ of the month²³²⁰ Adar;¹⁴³ and on the fourteenth^7026240 day of the same rested⁵¹¹⁸ they, and made⁶²¹³ it a day³¹¹⁷ of feasting⁴⁹⁶⁰ and gladness.

¹⁸ But the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that were at Shushan⁷⁸⁰⁰ assembled together⁶⁹⁵⁰ on the thirteenth^79696240 day thereof, and on the fourteenth^7026240 thereof; and on the fifteenth^25686240 day of the same they rested,⁵¹¹⁸ and made⁶²¹³ it a day³¹¹⁷ of feasting⁴⁹⁶⁰ and gladness.

¹⁹ Therefore the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ of the villages,⁶⁵²¹ that dwelt³⁴²⁷ in the unwalled⁶⁵¹⁹ towns,⁵⁸⁹² made⁶²¹³ the fourteenth^7026240 day³¹¹⁷ of the month²³²⁰ Adar¹⁴³ a day of gladness⁸⁰⁵⁷ and feasting,⁴⁹⁶⁰ and a good²⁸⁹⁶ day,³¹¹⁷ and of sending⁴⁹¹⁶ portions⁴⁴⁹⁰ one³⁷⁶ to another.

²⁰ And Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² wrote³⁷⁸⁹ these things,¹⁶⁹⁷ and sent⁷⁹⁷¹ letters⁵⁶¹² unto all the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ that were in all the provinces⁴⁰⁸² of the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ both nigh⁷¹³⁸ and far,

²¹ To stablish⁶⁹⁶⁵ this among them, that they should keep⁶²¹³ the fourteenth^7026240 day³¹¹⁷ of the month²³²⁰ Adar,¹⁴³ and the fifteenth^25686240 day³¹¹⁷ of the same, yearly,⁸¹⁴¹

²² As the days³¹¹⁷ wherein the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ rested⁵¹¹⁷ from their enemies,³⁴¹ and the month²³²⁰ which was turned²⁰¹⁵ unto them from sorrow³⁰¹⁵ to joy,⁸⁰⁵⁷ and from mourning⁶⁰ into a good²⁸⁹⁶ day:³¹¹⁷ that they should make⁶²¹³ them days³¹¹⁷ of feasting⁴⁹⁶⁰ and joy,⁸⁰⁵⁷ and of sending⁴⁹¹⁶ portions⁴⁴⁹⁰ one³⁷⁶ to another,⁷⁴⁵³ and gifts⁴⁹⁷⁹ to the poor.

²³ And the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ undertook⁶⁹⁰¹ to do⁶²¹³ as they had begun,²⁴⁹⁰ and as Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² had written

²⁴ Because Haman²⁰⁰¹ the son¹¹²¹ of Hammedatha,⁴⁰⁹⁹ the Agagite,⁹¹ the enemy⁶⁸⁸⁷ of all the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ had devised²⁸⁰³ against the Jews³⁰⁶⁴ to destroy⁶ them, and had cast⁵³⁰⁷ Pur,⁶³³² that is, the lot,¹⁴⁸⁶ to consume²⁰⁰⁰ them, and to destroy

²⁵ But when Esther came⁹³⁵ before⁶⁴⁴⁰ the king,⁴⁴²⁸ he commanded⁵⁵⁹ by letters⁵⁶¹² that his wicked⁷⁴⁵¹ device,⁴²⁸⁴ which he devised²⁸⁰³ against the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ should return⁷⁷²⁵ upon his own head,⁷²¹⁸ and that he and his sons¹¹²¹ should be hanged⁸⁵¹⁸ on the gallows.

²⁶ Wherefore they called⁷¹²¹ these days³¹¹⁷ Purim⁶³³² after the name⁸⁰³⁴ of Pur.⁶³³² Therefore for all the words¹⁶⁹⁷ of this letter,¹⁰⁷ and of that which they had seen⁷²⁰⁰ concerning this matter,³⁶⁰² and which had come

²⁷ The Jews³⁰⁶⁴ ordained,⁶⁹⁶⁵ and took⁶⁹⁰¹ upon them, and upon their seed,²²³³ and upon all such as joined³⁸⁶⁷ themselves unto them, so as it should not fail,⁵⁶⁷⁴ that they would keep⁶²¹³ these two⁸¹⁴⁷ days³¹¹⁷ according to their writing,³⁷⁹¹ and according to their appointed time²¹⁶⁵ every year;⁸¹⁴¹

^28C And that these days³¹¹⁷ should be remembered²¹⁴² and kept⁶²¹³ throughout¹⁷⁵⁵ every generation,¹⁷⁵⁵ every family,⁴⁹⁴⁰ every province,⁴⁰⁸² and every city;⁵⁸⁹² and that these days³¹¹⁷ of Purim⁶³³² should not fail⁵⁶⁷⁴ from among⁸⁴³² the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ nor the memorial²¹⁴³ of them perish⁵⁴⁸⁶ from their seed.

²⁹ Then Esther⁶³⁵ the queen,⁴⁴³⁶ the daughter¹³²³ of Abihail,³² and Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew,³⁰⁶⁴ wrote³⁷⁸⁹ with all authority,⁸⁶³³ to confirm⁶⁹⁶⁵ this second⁸¹⁴⁵ letter¹⁰⁷ of Purim.

³⁰ And he sent⁷⁹⁷¹ the letters⁵⁶¹² unto all the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ to the hundred³⁹⁶⁷ twenty⁶²⁴² and seven⁷⁶⁵¹ provinces⁴⁰⁸² of the kingdom⁴⁴³⁸ of Ahasuerus,³²⁵ with words¹⁶⁹⁷ of peace⁷⁹⁶⁵ and truth,

³¹ To confirm⁶⁹⁶⁵ these days³¹¹⁷ of Purim⁶³³² in their times²¹⁶⁵ appointed, according as Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew³⁰⁶⁴ and Esther⁶³⁵ the queen⁴⁴³⁶ had enjoined⁶⁹⁶⁵ them, and as they had decreed⁶⁹⁶⁵ for themselves⁵³¹⁵ and for their seed,²²³³ the matters¹⁶⁹⁷ of the fastings⁶⁶⁸⁵ and their cry.

³² And the decree³⁹⁸² of Esther⁶³⁵ confirmed⁶⁹⁶⁵ these matters¹⁶⁹⁷ of Purim;⁶³³² and it was written³⁷⁸⁹ in the book.

10And the king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus³²⁵ laid⁷⁷⁶⁰ a tribute⁴⁵²² upon the land,⁷⁷⁶ and upon the isles³³⁹ of the sea.

² And all the acts⁴⁶³⁹ of his power⁸⁶³³ and of his might,¹³⁶⁹ and the declaration⁶⁵⁷⁵ of the greatness¹⁴²⁰ of Mordecai,⁴⁷⁸² whereunto the king⁴⁴²⁸ advanced¹⁴³¹ him, are they not written³⁷⁸⁹ in the book⁵⁶¹² of the chronicles^16973117 of the kings⁴⁴²⁸ of Media⁴⁰⁷⁴ and Persia?

³ For Mordecai⁴⁷⁸² the Jew³⁰⁶⁴ was next⁴⁹³² unto king⁴⁴²⁸ Ahasuerus,³²⁵ and great¹⁴¹⁹ among the Jews,³⁰⁶⁴ and accepted⁷⁵²¹ of the multitude⁷²³⁰ of his brethren,²⁵¹ seeking¹⁸⁷⁵ the wealth²⁸⁹⁶ of his people,⁵⁹⁷¹ and speaking¹⁶⁹⁶ peace⁷⁹⁶⁵ to all his seed.