Now it
came
to pass
in the days
of Ahasuerus,
(this is Ahasuerus
which reigned,
from India
even unto Ethiopia,
over an hundred
and seven
and twenty provinces:)
That in those days,
when the king Ahasuerus
sat on the throne
of his kingdom,
which was in Shushan
the palace,
In the third year
of his reign,
he made a feast
unto all
his princes
and his servants;
the power
of Persia
and Media,
the nobles
and princes
of the provinces,
being
before him:
When he
shewed
the riches
of his glorious kingdom
and the honour
of his excellent
majesty many days,
even an hundred
and fourscore days.
And
when these days
were expired,
the king
made
a feast unto all
the people
that were
present
in Shushan the palace,
both unto great
and small,
seven days,
in the court
of the garden
of the king's palace;
Where were white,
green,
and blue,
hangings,
fastened
with cords
of fine linen
and purple
to silver rings
and pillars
of marble:
the beds
were of gold
and silver,
upon a pavement
of red,
and blue,
and white,
and black,
marble.
And
they gave them
drink
in vessels
of gold,
(the vessels
being diverse one
from another,)
and royal wine
in abundance,
according to
the state
of the king.
And the drinking
was according to
the law;
none did compel:
for so the king
had appointed
to all
the officers
of his house,
that they
should do according to
every man's pleasure.
Also Vashti
the queen
made
a feast
for the women
in the royal house which
belonged
to king Ahasuerus.
On the seventh day,
when
the heart
of the king
was merry
with wine,
he commanded
Mehuman, Biztha,
Harbona, Bigtha,
and Abagtha, Zethar,
and Carcas,
the seven chamberlains that
served
in the presence
of Ahasuerus the king,
To bring Vashti
the queen
before the king
with the crown royal,
to shew
the people
and the princes her beauty:
for she
was fair
to look on.
But the queen Vashti
refused to
come
at the king's commandment
by his chamberlains:
therefore was
the king very wroth,
and his anger
burned in him.
Then the king
said
to the wise men,
which knew the times,
(for so
was the king's manner
toward all
that knew law
and judgment:
And the next
unto him was
Carshena, Shethar,
Admatha, Tarshish,
Meres, Marsena,
and Memucan,
the seven princes
of Persia
and Media,
which saw
the king's face,
and which sat
the first in the kingdom;)
What shall
we do
unto the queen Vashti
according to law,
because
she hath not performed
the commandment
of the king Ahasuerus
by the chamberlains?
And Memucan
answered
before the king
and the princes,
Vashti the queen
hath not done
wrong
to the king only,
but also to all
the princes,
and
to all the people
that
are in all
the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus.
For this deed
of the queen
shall come abroad
unto all women,
so that
they shall despise
their husbands
in their eyes,
when it
shall be reported,
The king Ahasuerus
commanded
Vashti the queen
to be brought in
before him,
but
she came not.
Likewise
shall
the ladies
of Persia
and Media
say
this day
unto all
the king's princes,
which have heard
of the deed
of the queen.
Thus
shall there arise
too much contempt
and wrath.
If it
please the king,
let there go
a royal commandment
from him,
and let
it be written
among the laws
of the Persians
and the Medes,
that it
be not altered,
That Vashti
come no more
before king Ahasuerus;
and let
the king
give her royal estate
unto another
that is
better than she.
And
when the king's decree
which he
shall make
shall be published
throughout all his empire,
(for it is great,)
all the wives
shall give
to their husbands honour,
both to great
and small.
And the saying
pleased
the king
and the princes;
and the king
did according to
the word
of Memucan:
For he
sent letters
into all
the king's provinces,
into every province
according to the writing
thereof,
and
to every people
after their language,
that every man
should bear
rule
in his own house,
and
that it
should be published according to
the language
of every people.
After these things,
when the wrath
of king Ahasuerus
was appeased,
he remembered Vashti,
and
what
she had done,
and
what was decreed
against her.
Then said
the king's servants
that ministered unto him,
Let there be
fair
young virgins
sought
for the king:
And let
the king
appoint officers
in all the provinces
of his kingdom,
that they
may gather
together all the fair young virgins
unto Shushan the palace,
to the house
of the women,
unto the custody
of Hege
the king's chamberlain,
keeper of the women;
and let
their things
for purification
be given them:
And let
the maiden
which pleaseth
the king
be queen
instead of Vashti.
And the thing pleased
the king;
and he
did so.
Now in Shushan
the palace
there was
a certain Jew,
whose name
was Mordecai,
the son of Jair,
the son
of Shimei,
the son of Kish,
a Benjamite;
Who had been carried away
from Jerusalem
with the captivity
which had been carried away
with Jeconiah king
of Judah,
whom Nebuchadnezzar
the king
of Babylon
had carried away.
And he
brought
up Hadassah,
that is,
Esther,
his uncle's daughter:
for she
had neither father
nor mother,
and the maid
was fair
and beautiful;
whom Mordecai,
when her father
and mother
were dead,
took for his own daughter.
So it
came
to pass,
when
the king's commandment
and his decree
was heard,
and
when many maidens
were gathered together
unto Shushan
the palace,
to the custody
of Hegai,
that Esther
was brought also
unto the king's house,
to the custody
of Hegai,
keeper of the women.
And the maiden
pleased him,
and
she obtained kindness
of him;
and
he speedily gave
her her things
for purification,
with such things as
belonged to her,
and seven maidens,
which were
meet to be given her,
out of the king's house:
and he
preferred
her and her maids
unto the best place
of the house
of the women.
Esther
had not shewed
her people
nor her kindred:
for Mordecai
had charged
her
that she
should not shew it.
And Mordecai
walked every day
before the court
of the women's house,
to know how Esther did,
and
what should become
of her.
Now
when every maid's turn
was come
to go in
to king Ahasuerus,
after that
she had been
twelve months,
according to
the manner
of the women,
(for so
were the days
of their purifications accomplished,
to wit,
six months
with oil
of myrrh,
and six months
with sweet odours,
and
with other things
for the purifying
of the women;)
Then thus
came every maiden
unto the king;
whatsoever
she desired
was given
her to go
with her
out of the house
of the women
unto the king's house.
In the evening
she went,
and on the morrow
she returned
into the second house
of the women,
to the custody
of Shaashgaz,
the king's chamberlain,
which kept
the concubines:
she came in
unto the king no more,
except the king
delighted in her,
and
that she
were called
by name.
Now
when the turn
of Esther,
the daughter
of Abihail
the uncle
of Mordecai,
who had taken her
for his daughter,
was come
to go in
unto the king,
she required nothing
but
what Hegai
the king's chamberlain,
the keeper
of the women,
appointed.
And Esther
obtained
favour
in the sight
of all
them that
looked
upon her.
So Esther
was taken
unto king Ahasuerus
into his house royal
in the tenth month,
which is the month Tebeth,
in the seventh year
of his reign.
And the king
loved Esther above all
the women,
and
she obtained
grace
and favour
in his sight
more than all the virgins;
so that
he set
the royal crown
upon her head,
and made
her queen
instead of Vashti.
Then the king
made
a great feast
unto all
his princes
and his servants,
even Esther's feast;
and he
made
a release
to the provinces,
and gave gifts,
according to
the state
of the king.
And
when the virgins
were gathered
together the second time,
then Mordecai
sat
in the king's gate.
Esther
had not yet shewed
her kindred
nor her people;
as Mordecai
had charged her:
for Esther
did the commandment
of Mordecai,
like
as when
she
was brought up with him.
In those days,
while Mordecai
sat
in the king's gate,
two
of the king's chamberlains,
Bigthan
and Teresh,
of those
which kept
the door,
were wroth,
and sought
to lay hands
on the king Ahasuerus.
And the thing
was known
to Mordecai,
who told it
unto Esther the queen;
and Esther
certified
the king
thereof in Mordecai's name.
And
when inquisition
was made
of the matter,
it was found out;
therefore they
were both
hanged on a tree:
and it
was written
in the book
of the chronicles
before the king.
After these things
did king Ahasuerus
promote Haman
the son
of Hammedatha the Agagite,
and advanced him,
and set
his seat above all
the princes
that were with him.
And all
the king's servants,
that were in the king's gate,
bowed,
and reverenced Haman:
for the king
had so
commanded concerning him.
But Mordecai
bowed not,
nor did him
reverence.
Then the king's servants,
which were in the king's gate,
said unto Mordecai,
Why transgressest
thou the king's commandment?
Now it
came
to pass,
when
they
spake daily unto him,
and
he hearkened not unto them,
that they
told Haman,
to see
whether
Mordecai's matters
would stand:
for he
had told them
that he
was a Jew.
And when Haman
saw that Mordecai
bowed not,
nor did him
reverence,
then was Haman full of wrath.
And he
thought
scorn
to lay hands
on Mordecai alone;
for they had shewed him
the people
of Mordecai:
wherefore
Haman
sought
to destroy all
the Jews
that were throughout the whole kingdom
of Ahasuerus,
even the people
of Mordecai.
In the first month,
that is,
the month Nisan,
in the twelfth year
of king Ahasuerus,
they cast Pur,
that is,
the lot,
before Haman
from day to day,
and from month to month,
to the twelfth month,
that is,
the month Adar.
And Haman
said
unto king Ahasuerus,
There
is
a certain people
scattered abroad
and dispersed
among the people
in all the provinces
of thy kingdom;
and their laws
are diverse
from all people;
neither keep
they the king's laws:
therefore it
is not
for the king's profit
to suffer them.
If it
please the king,
let it
be written that
they may be destroyed:
and I
will pay
ten thousand talents
of silver
to the hands
of those
that have
the charge
of the business,
to bring it
into the king's treasuries.
And the king
took
his ring
from his hand,
and gave it
unto Haman the son
of Hammedatha the Agagite,
the Jews' enemy.
And the king
said
unto Haman,
The silver
is given to thee,
the people also,
to do
with them as it
seemeth good
to thee.
Then were
the king's scribes
called on
the thirteenth day
of the first month,
and there was written according to all
that Haman
had commanded
unto the king's lieutenants,
and
to the governors
that were over every province,
and to the rulers
of every people
of every province
according to the writing
thereof,
and
to every people
after their language;
in the name
of king
Ahasuerus
was it written,
and sealed
with the king's ring.
And the letters
were sent
by posts
into all
the king's provinces,
to destroy,
to kill,
and
to cause
to perish,
all Jews,
both young
and old,
little children
and women,
in one day,
even upon
the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month Adar,
and
to take the spoil
of them
for a prey.
The copy
of the writing
for a commandment
to be given
in every province
was published
unto all people,
that they
should be ready
against that day.
The posts went out,
being hastened
by the king's commandment,
and the decree
was given
in Shushan
the palace.
And the king
and Haman
sat down
to drink;
but the city Shushan
was perplexed.
When Mordecai
perceived all
that was done,
Mordecai
rent
his clothes,
and put on sackcloth
with ashes,
and went out
into the midst
of the city,
and cried
with a loud
and a bitter cry;
And came even before
the king's gate:
for none
might enter
into the king's gate
clothed
with sackcloth.
And
in every province,
whithersoever
the king's commandment
and his decree came,
there was great mourning
among the Jews,
and fasting,
and weeping,
and wailing;
and many lay
in sackcloth
and ashes.
So Esther's maids
and her chamberlains
came
and told it her.
Then was
the queen
exceedingly grieved;
and
she sent raiment
to clothe Mordecai,
and
to take away his sackcloth
from him:
but
he received it not.
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.
So Hatach
went forth to Mordecai
unto the street
of the city,
which was before the king's gate.
And Mordecai
told him of all
that had happened unto him,
and of the sum
of the money
that Haman
had promised
to pay
to the king's treasuries
for the Jews,
to destroy them.
Also he
gave him
the copy
of the writing
of the decree
that was given
at Shushan
to destroy them,
to shew it
unto Esther,
and
to declare it
unto her,
and
to charge
her
that she
should go in
unto the king,
to make supplication
unto him,
and
to make request
before him
for her people.
And Hatach
came
and told Esther
the words
of Mordecai.
Again Esther
spake unto Hatach,
and gave him commandment
unto Mordecai;
All the king's servants,
and the people
of the king's provinces,
do know,
that whosoever,
whether man
or women,
shall come
unto the king
into the inner court,
who is not called,
there is
one law
of his to
put him to death,
except such
to whom the king
shall hold
out the golden sceptre,
that he
may live:
but
I have not been called
to come in
unto the king
these thirty days.
And they
told
to Mordecai Esther's words.
Then Mordecai
commanded
to answer Esther,
Think
not with thyself
that thou
shalt escape
in the king's house,
more than all the Jews.
For if
thou altogether holdest
thy peace
at this time,
then shall there enlargement
and deliverance
arise
to the Jews
from another place;
but
thou
and thy father's house
shall be destroyed:
and who
knoweth
whether thou
art come
to the kingdom
for such
a time
as this?
Then Esther
bade them
return
Mordecai this answer,
Go,
gather
together all
the Jews
that are
present
in Shushan,
and fast
ye for me,
and neither
eat
nor drink
three days,
night or day:
I also
and my maidens
will fast likewise;
and so
will
I go in
unto the king,
which is not according to
the law:
and if I perish,
I perish.
So Mordecai
went his way,
and did according to all
that Esther
had commanded him.
Now it
came
to pass
on the third day,
that Esther
put on
her royal apparel,
and stood
in the inner court
of the king's house,
over against the king's house:
and the king
sat
upon his royal throne
in the royal house,
over against the gate
of the house.
And it
was so,
when the king
saw Esther
the queen
standing
in the court,
that she
obtained
favour
in his sight:
and the king
held out
to Esther
the golden sceptre
that was in his hand.
So Esther drew near,
and touched
the top
of the sceptre.
Then said
the king
unto her,
What wilt thou,
queen Esther?
and what
is
thy request?
it shall be even given thee
to the half
of the kingdom.
And Esther answered,
If it
seem good
unto the king,
let the king and
Haman
come
this day
unto the banquet
that I
have prepared for him.
Then the king said,
Cause Haman
to make haste,
that he
may do as Esther
hath said.
So the king and
Haman
came
to the banquet
that Esther
had prepared.
And the king
said
unto Esther
at the banquet
of wine,
What
is
thy petition?
and it
shall be granted thee:
and what
is
thy request?
even to the half
of the kingdom
it shall be performed.
Then answered
Esther,
and said,
My petition
and my request is;
If I
have found
favour
in the sight
of the king,
and
if it
please
the king
to grant
my petition,
and to perform
my request,
let the king and
Haman
come
to the banquet
that I
shall prepare for them,
and I
will do
to morrow
as the king
hath said.
Then went Haman
forth that day joyful
and
with a glad heart:
but
when Haman
saw Mordecai
in the king's gate,
that he
stood not up,
nor
moved for him,
he was full of indignation
against Mordecai.
Nevertheless Haman
refrained himself:
and
when he
came home,
he sent
and called for
his friends,
and Zeresh
his wife.
And Haman
told them
of the glory
of his riches,
and the multitude
of his children,
and all
the things
wherein the king
had promoted him,
and
how he
had advanced him above
the princes
and servants
of the king.
Haman
said moreover,
Yea,
Esther the queen
did let
no man
come in
with the king
unto the banquet
that
she had prepared
but myself;
and to morrow
am I
invited
unto her
also with the king.
Yet all
this availeth me
nothing,
so long
as I see
Mordecai the Jew
sitting
at the king's gate.
Then said
Zeresh his wife
and all
his friends
unto him,
Let a gallows
be made
of fifty cubits high,
and to morrow
speak
thou
unto the king
that Mordecai
may be hanged thereon:
then go
thou
in merrily with the king
unto the banquet.
And the thing
pleased Haman;
and
he caused
the gallows
to be made.
On that night
could not
the king sleep,
and
he commanded
to bring the book
of records
of the chronicles;
and
they were read
before the king.
And it
was found written,
that Mordecai
had told
of Bigthana
and Teresh,
two
of the king's chamberlains,
the keepers
of the door,
who sought
to lay hand
on the king Ahasuerus.
And the king said,
What
honour
and dignity
hath been done
to Mordecai
for this?
Then said
the king's servants
that ministered unto him,
There
is
nothing
done for him.
And the king said,
Who is
in the court?
Now Haman
was come
into the outward court
of the king's house,
to speak
unto the king
to hang Mordecai
on the gallows
that he
had prepared for him.
And the king's servants
said unto him,
Behold,
Haman standeth in the court.
And the king said,
Let him come in.
So Haman
came in.
And the king
said unto him,
What
shall be done
unto the man
whom the king
delighteth to honour?
Now Haman
thought
in his heart,
To whom
would
the king
delight
to do honour
more than
to myself?
And Haman
answered the king,
For the man
whom the king
delighteth to honour,
Let the royal apparel
be brought
which the king
useth to wear,
and the horse
that the king
rideth upon,
and the crown royal which
is set
upon his head:
And let
this apparel
and horse
be delivered
to the hand
of one
of the king's most noble princes,
that they
may array
the man withal
whom the king
delighteth to honour,
and bring him
on horseback
through the street
of the city,
and proclaim
before him,
Thus
shall
it be done
to the man
whom the king
delighteth to honour.
Then the king
said
to Haman,
Make haste,
and take
the apparel
and the horse,
as thou
hast said,
and do even so
to Mordecai the Jew,
that sitteth at the king's gate:
let nothing
fail of all
that thou
hast spoken.
Then took Haman
the apparel
and the horse,
and arrayed
Mordecai,
and brought him
on horseback
through the street
of the city,
and proclaimed
before him,
Thus
shall
it be done
unto the man
whom the king
delighteth to honour.
And Mordecai
came again
to the king's gate.
But Haman hasted
to his house mourning,
and having
his head covered.
And Haman
told
Zeresh his wife
and all
his friends every thing
that had befallen him.
Then said
his wise men
and Zeresh
his wife
unto him, If Mordecai
be of the seed
of the Jews,
before whom thou
hast begun
to fall,
thou
shalt not prevail against him,
but shalt surely fall
before him.
And
while they
were yet talking with him,
came the king's chamberlains,
and hasted
to bring Haman
unto the banquet
that Esther
had prepared.
So the king
and Haman
came
to banquet with Esther
the queen.
And the king
said again
unto Esther
on the second day
at the banquet
of wine,
What
is
thy petition,
queen Esther?
and it
shall be granted thee:
and what
is
thy request?
and it
shall be performed,
even to
the half
of the kingdom.
Then
Esther the queen
answered
and said,
If I
have found
favour in thy sight,
O king,
and
if it
please the king,
let my life
be given me
at my petition,
and my people
at my request:
For we
are sold,
I and my people,
to be destroyed,
to be slain,
and to perish.
But
if we
had been sold
for bondmen
and bondwomen,
I had held
my tongue,
although the enemy
could not countervail
the king's damage.
Then the king Ahasuerus
answered
and said
unto Esther the queen,
Who is he,
and where
is he,
that durst
presume
in his heart
to do so?
And Esther said,
The adversary
and enemy
is this wicked Haman.
Then Haman
was afraid
before the king
and the queen.
And the king
arising
from the banquet
of wine
in his wrath
went into the palace garden:
and Haman
stood up
to make
request
for his life
to Esther the queen;
for he
saw that
there was evil determined
against him
by the king.
Then the king
returned
out of the palace garden
into the place
of the banquet
of wine;
and Haman
was fallen
upon the bed
whereon Esther was.
Then said
the king,
Will
he force
the queen
also before me
in the house?
As the word
went out of king's mouth,
they covered
Haman's face.
And Harbonah,
one
of the chamberlains,
said before the king,
Behold also,
the gallows fifty cubits high,
which Haman
had made
for Mordecai,
who spoken good
for the king,
standeth in the house
of Haman.
Then the king said,
Hang him thereon.
So they
hanged Haman
on the gallows
that he
had prepared
for Mordecai.
Then was
the king's wrath pacified.
On that day
did
the king Ahasuerus
give
the house
of Haman
the Jews' enemy
unto Esther the queen.
And Mordecai
came
before the king;
for Esther
had told
what
he was unto her.
And the king
took off
his ring,
which he
had taken
from Haman,
and gave it
unto Mordecai.
And Esther set Mordecai
over the house
of Haman.
And Esther
spake yet
again before the king,
and fell down
at his feet,
and besought him
with tears
to put away
the mischief
of Haman the Agagite,
and his device
that he
had devised
against the Jews.
Then the king
held
out the golden sceptre
toward Esther.
So Esther arose,
and stood
before the king,
And said,
If it
please
the king,
and
if I
have
favour
in his sight,
and the thing
seem right before
the king,
and
I be pleasing
in his eyes,
let it
be written
to reverse the letters
devised
by Haman the son
of Hammedatha the Agagite,
which he
wrote to destroy
the Jews
which are in all
the king's provinces:
For how can
I endure
to see the evil
that shall come
unto my people?
or how can
I endure
to see the destruction
of my kindred?
Then the king Ahasuerus
said
unto Esther the queen
and
to Mordecai
the Jew, Behold,
I have given Esther
the house
of Haman,
and him
they have hanged
upon the gallows,
because
he laid
his hand
upon the Jews.
Write
ye also for the Jews,
as it liketh you,
in the king's name,
and seal it
with the king's ring:
for the writing
which is written
in the king's name,
and sealed
with the king's ring,
may
no man reverse.
Then were
the king's scribes
called
at that time
in the third month,
that is,
the month Sivan,
on the three
and twentieth day
thereof;
and it
was written according to all
that Mordecai
commanded
unto the Jews,
and
to the lieutenants,
and the deputies
and rulers
of the provinces
which are from India
unto Ethiopia,
an hundred twenty
and seven provinces,
unto every province
according to the writing
thereof,
and
unto every people
after their language,
and to the Jews
according to their writing,
and
according to their language.
And
he wrote in the king
Ahasuerus' name,
and sealed it
with the king's ring,
and sent letters
by posts
on horseback,
and riders
on mules,
camels,
and young dromedaries:
Wherein the king
granted
the Jews
which were in every city
to gather themselves together,
and to stand for
their life,
to destroy,
to slay and
to cause
to perish,
all the power
of the people
and province
that would assault them,
both little ones
and women,
and
to take the spoil
of them
for a prey,
Upon one day
in all the provinces
of king Ahasuerus,
namely,
upon the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month Adar.
The copy
of the writing
for a commandment
to be given
in every province
was published
unto all people,
and
that the Jews
should be ready
against that day
to avenge themselves
on their enemies.
So the posts
that rode upon mules
and camels went out,
being hastened
and pressed on
by the king's commandment.
And the decree
was given
at Shushan
the palace.
And Mordecai
went out
from the presence
of the king
in royal apparel
of blue
and white,
and
with a great crown
of gold,
and
with a garment
of fine linen
and purple:
and the city
of Shushan
rejoiced
and was glad.
The Jews
had light,
and gladness,
and joy,
and honour.
And
in every province,
and in every city,
whithersoever
the king's commandment
and his decree came,
the Jews
had joy
and gladness,
a feast and a good day.
And many
of the people
of the land
became Jews;
for the fear
of the Jews
fell upon them.
Now in the twelfth month,
that is,
the month Adar,
on the thirteenth day
of the same,
when
the king's commandment
and his decree
drew near
to be put in execution,
in the day
that
the enemies
of the Jews
hoped
to have
power over them,
(though
it was turned
to the contrary,
that the Jews
had rule
over them that
hated them;)
The Jews
gathered themselves
together in their cities
throughout all the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus,
to lay hand
on such as sought their hurt:
and no man
could withstand them;
for the fear
of them fell
upon all people.
And all
the rulers
of the provinces,
and the lieutenants,
and the deputies,
and officers
of the king,
helped the Jews;
because
the fear
of Mordecai
fell upon them.
For Mordecai
was great
in the king's house,
and his fame
went out
throughout all
the provinces:
for this man Mordecai
waxed greater
and greater.
Thus the Jews
smote all their enemies
with the stroke
of the sword,
and slaughter,
and destruction,
and did what
they would unto those
that hated them.
And
in Shushan
the palace the Jews
slew
and destroyed five hundred men.
And Parshandatha,
and Dalphon,
and Aspatha,
And Poratha,
and Adalia,
and Aridatha,
And Parmashta,
and Arisai,
and Aridai,
and Vajezatha,
The ten sons
of Haman
the son
of Hammedatha,
the enemy
of the Jews,
slew they;
but on the spoil
laid
they
not their hand.
On that day
the number
of those
that
were slain
in Shushan
the palace
was brought
before the king.
And the king
said
unto Esther
the queen,
The Jews
have slain
and destroyed five hundred men
in Shushan the palace,
and the ten sons
of Haman;
what have
they done
in the rest
of the king's provinces?
now what
is
thy petition?
and it
shall be granted thee:
or what
is
thy request further?
and it
shall be done.
Then said Esther,
If it
please
the king,
let it
be granted
to the Jews
which are in Shushan
to do to morrow
also according
unto this day's decree,
and let
Haman's ten sons
be hanged
upon the gallows.
And the king
commanded it so
to be done:
and the decree
was given
at Shushan;
and
they hanged
Haman's ten sons.
For the Jews
that
were in Shushan
gathered themselves
together
on the fourteenth day
also of the month Adar,
and slew three hundred men
at Shushan;
but on the prey
they laid not
their hand.
But the other Jews
that
were in the king's provinces
gathered themselves together,
and stood for
their lives,
and had
rest
from their enemies,
and slew of their foes seventy
and five thousand,
but they
laid not
their hands
on the prey,
On the thirteenth day
of the month Adar;
and on
the fourteenth day
of the same rested they,
and made it a day
of feasting
and gladness.
But the Jews
that
were at Shushan
assembled together
on the thirteenth day
thereof,
and
on the fourteenth
thereof;
and on the fifteenth day
of the same
they rested,
and made it a day
of feasting
and gladness.
Therefore the Jews
of the villages,
that dwelt
in the unwalled towns,
made the fourteenth day
of the month Adar a day
of gladness
and feasting,
and a good day,
and
of sending portions one
to another.
And Mordecai
wrote these things,
and sent
letters
unto all the Jews
that
were in all
the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus,
both nigh
and far,
To stablish
this among them,
that
they should keep
the fourteenth day
of the month Adar,
and the fifteenth day
of the same,
yearly,
As the days
wherein the Jews
rested
from their enemies,
and the month which
was turned
unto them
from sorrow
to joy,
and from mourning
into a good day:
that they
should make them days
of feasting
and joy,
and
of sending portions one
to another,
and gifts
to the poor.
And the Jews
undertook
to do as they
had begun,
and
as Mordecai
had written unto them;
Because
Haman the son
of Hammedatha,
the Agagite,
the enemy
of all the Jews,
had devised
against the Jews
to destroy them,
and had cast Pur,
that is,
the lot,
to consume them,
and
to destroy them;
But
when Esther
came
before the king,
he commanded
by letters
that his wicked device,
which he
devised
against the Jews,
should return
upon his own head,
and
that he
and his sons
should be hanged
on the gallows.
Wherefore
they called
these days Purim
after the name
of Pur.
Therefore for all
the words
of this letter,
and of that
which they
had seen concerning
this matter,
and
which had come unto them,
The Jews ordained,
and
took upon them,
and
upon their seed,
and upon
all such as joined themselves
unto them,
so as it
should not fail,
that they
would keep
these two days
according to their writing,
and according to
their appointed
time every year;
And
that these days
should be remembered
and kept
throughout every generation,
every family,
every province,
and every city;
and
that these days
of Purim
should not fail from
among the Jews,
nor the memorial
of them perish
from their seed.
Then Esther
the queen,
the daughter
of Abihail,
and Mordecai
the Jew,
wrote with all authority,
to confirm
this second letter
of Purim.
And he
sent
the letters
unto all
the Jews,
to the hundred twenty
and seven provinces
of the kingdom
of Ahasuerus,
with words
of peace
and truth,
To confirm
these days
of Purim
in their times appointed,
according
as Mordecai the Jew
and Esther
the queen
had enjoined them,
and as they
had decreed
for themselves
and for their seed,
the matters
of the fastings
and their cry.
And
the decree
of Esther
confirmed these matters
of Purim;
and it
was written
in the book.
And the king Ahasuerus
laid
a tribute
upon the land,
and
upon the isles
of the sea.
And all
the acts
of his power
and of his might,
and the declaration
of the greatness
of Mordecai,
whereunto
the king
advanced him,
are
they not written
in the book
of the chronicles
of the kings
of Media and Persia?
For Mordecai
the Jew
was next
unto king Ahasuerus,
and great
among the Jews,
and accepted
of the multitude
of his brethren,
seeking the wealth
of his people,
and speaking peace
to all his seed.