| 1:1 |
InThis happened in the days of AhasuAhasuerus e′rus the Ahasusame e′rusAhasuerus who reignedruled from India to Ethiopia over one hundred and twenty seven provinces from India to Ethiopia |
| 1:2 |
inIn those days when King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus sat on his royal throne in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa |
| 1:3 |
in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princesofficials and servantsministers theThe army chiefs of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces beingwere beforepresent him |
| 1:4 |
while he showeddisplayed the richesgreat wealth of his royalkingdom glory and the splendor and pomp of his majesty for many days aone hundred and eighty days in all |
| 1:5 |
AndWhen when these days were completed the king gave for all the people present in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa both great and small a banquet lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the kings palace |
| 1:6 |
There were white cotton curtains and blue hangings caughttied up with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars andThere alsowere couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry marble mother of pearl and preciouscolored stones |
| 1:8 |
AndDrinking drinking was accordingby toflagons thewithout law no one was compelledrestraint; for the king had given orders to all the officials of his palace to do as everyeach manone desired |
| 1:9 |
Furthermore Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the palace whichof belonged to King Ahasu e′rusAhasuerus |
| 1:10 |
On the seventh day when the heart of the king was merry with wine he commanded Mehu′manMehuman Biztha Harbo′naHarbona Bigtha and Abag′thaAbagtha Zethar and Carkas the seven eunuchs who servedattended Kinghim Ahasu e′rus as chamberlains |
| 1:11 |
to bring Queen Vashti before the king withwearing herthe royal crown in order to show the peoples and the princesofficials her beauty; for she was fair to behold |
| 1:13 |
Then the king saidconsulted to the wisesages men who knew the times—laws for this was the kings procedure toward all who were versed in law and judgmentcustom |
| 1:14 |
theand menthose next to him beingwere Carshe′naCarshena Shethar Adma′thaAdmatha Tarshish Meres Marse′naMarsena and Memu′canMemucan the seven princesofficials of Persia and Media who sawhad access to the kingsking face and sat first in the kingdom—:: |
| 1:15 |
According to the law what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she has not performed the command of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus conveyed by the eunuchs |
| 1:16 |
Then Memu′canMemucan said in the presence of the king and the princesofficials Not only to the king has Queen Vashti done wrong to the king but also to all the princesofficials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus |
| 1:17 |
For this deed of the queen will be made known to all women causing them to look with contempt uponon their husbands since they will say King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him and she did not come |
| 1:18 |
This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the queens behavior will berebel tellingagainst it to all the kings princesofficials and there will be no end of contempt and wrath in plenty |
| 1:19 |
If it pleasepleases the king let a royal order go forthout from him and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes so that it may not be altered that Vashti is never again to come no more before King Ahasu e′rusAhasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she |
| 1:20 |
So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom vast as it is all women will give honor to their husbands high and low alike |
| 1:21 |
This advice pleased the king and the princesofficials and the king did as Memu′canMemucan proposed; |
| 1:22 |
he sent letters to all the royal provinces to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language declaring that every man should be lordmaster in his own house and speak according to the language of his people |
| 2:1 |
After these things when the anger of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus had abated he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decreed against her |
| 2:3 |
And let the king appoint officerscommissioners in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa under custody of Hegai the kings eunuch who is in charge of the women; let their ointmentscosmetic treatments be given them |
| 2:4 |
And let the maidengirl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti This pleased the king and he did so |
| 2:5 |
Now there was a Jew in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa whose name was Mor′decaiMordecai the son of Ja′irJair son of Shim′eShimei i son of Kish a Benjaminite |
| 2:6 |
whoKish had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconi′ahKing kingJeconiah of Judah whom Nebuchadnez′zarKing kingNebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away |
| 2:7 |
HeMordecai had brought up Hadas′sahHadassah that is Esther the daughter of his unclecousin for she had neither father nor mother; the maidengirl was beautifulfair and lovelybeautiful and when her father and her mother died Mor′decaiMordecai adopted her as his own daughter |
| 2:8 |
So when the kings order and his edict were proclaimed and when many maidensyoung women were gathered in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa in custody of Hegai Esther also was taken into the kings palace and put in custody of Hegai who had charge of the women |
| 2:9 |
AndThe thegirl maiden pleased him and won his favor; and he quickly provided her with her ointmentscosmetic treatments and her portion of food and with seven chosen maids from the kings palace and advanced her and her maids to the best place in the harem |
| 2:10 |
Esther haddid not madereveal known her people or kindred for Mor′decaiMordecai had charged her not to maketell it known |
| 2:11 |
AndEvery every day Mor′decaiMordecai walkedwould walk around in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared |
| 2:12 |
NowThe when the turn came for each maidengirl to go in to King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus after being twelve months under the regulations for the women since this was the regular period of their beautifyingcosmetic treatment six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spicesperfumes and ointmentscosmetics for women— |
| 2:13 |
whenWhen the maidengirl went in to the king in this way she was given whatever she desiredasked for to take with her from the harem to the kings palace |
| 2:14 |
In the evening she went andin; then in the morning she came back to the second harem in custody of ShaShaashgaz ash′gaz the kings eunuch who was in charge of the concubines; she did not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name |
| 2:15 |
When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Ab′ihailAbihail the uncle of Mor′decaiMordecai who had adopted her as his own daughter to go in to the king she asked for nothing except what Hegai the kings eunuch who had charge of the women advised Now Esther foundwas favoradmired inby the eyes of all who saw her |
| 2:16 |
AndWhen when Esther was taken to King AhasuAhasuerus e′rusin into his royal palace in the tenth month which is the month of Tebeth in the seventh year of his reign |
| 2:17 |
the king loved Esther more than all the other women; andof sheall foundthe gracevirgins andshe favorwon in his sightfavor moreand thandevotion all the virgins so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti |
| 2:18 |
Then the king gave a great banquet to all his princesofficials and servants; it was ministers—Esthers banquet He also granted a remissionholiday of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal liberality |
| 2:19 |
When the virgins were being gathered together theMordecai second time Mor′decai was sitting at the kings gate |
| 2:20 |
Now Esther had not maderevealed known her kindred or her people as Mor′decaiMordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mor′decaiMordecai just as when she was brought up by him |
| 2:21 |
AndIn in those days aswhile Mor′decaiMordecai was sitting at the kings gate Bigthan and Teresh two of the kings eunuchs who guarded the threshold became angry and soughtconspired to layassassinate hands on King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus |
| 2:22 |
AndBut thisthe matter came to the knowledge of Mor′decaiMordecai and he told it to Queen Esther and Esther told the king in the name of Mor′decaiMordecai |
| 2:23 |
When the affair was investigated and found to be so both the men were both hanged on the gallows AndIt it was recorded in the Bookbook of the Chroniclesannals in the presence of the king |
| 3:1 |
After these things King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus promoted Haman theson Ag′agiteof Hammedatha the sonAgagite of Hammeda′tha and advanced him and set his seat above all the princesofficials who were with him |
| 3:2 |
And all the kings servants who were at the kings gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him But Mor′decaiMordecai did not bow down or do obeisance |
| 3:3 |
Then the kings servants who were at the kings gate said to Mor′decaiMordecai Why do you transgressdisobey the kings command |
| 3:4 |
AndWhen when they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them they told Haman in order to see whether Mor′decaisMordecais words would avail; for he had told them that he was a Jew |
| 3:5 |
AndWhen when Haman saw that Mor′decaiMordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him Haman was filledinfuriated with fury |
| 3:6 |
But he disdainedthought it beneath him to lay hands on Mor′decaiMordecai alone So ashaving theybeen hadtold madewho knownMordecais to him the people ofwere Mor′decai Haman soughtplotted to destroy all the Jews the people of Mor′decaiMordecai throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasu e′rusAhasuerus |
| 3:7 |
In the first month which is the month of Nisan in the twelfth year of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus they cast Pur—which thatmeans is the lot —before Haman dayfor afterthe day; and theyfor castthe it month afterand monththe tilllot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month of Adar |
| 3:8 |
Then Haman said to King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersedseparated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people and they do not keep the kings laws so that it is not appropriate for the kingsking profit to tolerate them |
| 3:9 |
If it pleasepleases the king let ita decree be decreedissued thatfor theytheir bedestruction destroyed and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the kings business so that they may put it into the kings treasuries |
| 3:10 |
So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Ag′agite the son of Hammeda′thaHammedatha the Agagite the enemy of the Jews |
| 3:11 |
AndThe the king said to Haman The money is given to you and the people alsoas well to do with them as it seems good to you |
| 3:12 |
Then the kings secretaries were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month and an edict according to all that Haman commanded was written to the kings satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the princesofficials of all the peoples to every province in its own script and every people in its own language; it was written in the name of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus and sealed with the kings ring |
| 3:13 |
Letters were sent by couriers to all the kings provinces giving orders to destroy to slaykill and to annihilate all Jews young and old women and children in one day the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month of Adar and to plunder their goods |
| 3:14 |
A copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province by proclamation tocalling on all the peoples to be ready for that day |
| 3:15 |
The couriers went inquickly haste by order of the king and the decree was issued in Susa the capitalcitadel Andof theSusa The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Susa was perplexedthrown into confusion |
| 4:1 |
When Mor′decaiMordecai learned all that had been done Mor′decaiMordecai renttore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went outthrough into the midst of the city wailing with a loud and bitter cry; |
| 4:3 |
AndIn in every province wherever the kings command and his decree came there was great mourning among the Jews with fasting and weeping and lamenting and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes |
| 4:4 |
When Esthers maids and her eunuchs came and told her the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mor′decaiMordecai so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he would not accept them |
| 4:5 |
Then Esther called for Hathach one of the kings eunuchs who had been appointed to attend her and ordered him to go to Mor′decaiMordecai to learn what this was happening and why it was |
| 4:6 |
Hathach went out to Mor′decaiMordecai in the open square of the city in front of the kings gate |
| 4:7 |
and Mor′decaiMordecai told him all that had happened to him and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the kings treasuries for the destruction of the Jews |
| 4:8 |
Mor′decaiMordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people |
| 4:9 |
And Hathach went and told Esther what Mor′decaiMordecai had said |
| 4:10 |
Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mor′decaiMordecai saying |
| 4:11 |
All the kings servants and the people of the kings provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called there is but one law; —all alike are to be put to death exceptOnly theif one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter thatto hesomeone may that person live And I myself have not been called to come in to the king thesefor thirty days |
| 4:12 |
AndWhen they told Mor′decaiMordecai what Esther had said |
| 4:13 |
ThenMordecai Mor′decai told them to returnreply answer to Esther ThinkDo not think that in the kings palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews |
| 4:14 |
For if you keep silence at such a time as this relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter but you and your fathers housefamily will perish AndWho who knows whetherPerhaps you have not come to theroyal kingdomdignity for just such a time as this |
| 4:15 |
Then Esther toldsaid themin to reply to Mor′decaiMordecai |
| 4:16 |
Go gather all the Jews to be found in Susa and hold a fast on my behalf and neither eat nor drink for three days night or day I and my maids will also fast as you do ThenAfter that I will go to the king though it is against the law; and if I perish I perish |
| 4:17 |
Mor′decaiMordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him |
| 5:1 |
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the kings palace opposite the kings hall The king was sitting on his royal throne inside the palace opposite the entrance to the palace; |
| 5:2 |
andAs whensoon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court she foundwon favor in his sightfavor and he held out to Estherher the golden scepter that was in his hand Then Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter |
| 5:3 |
AndThe the king said to her What is it Queen Esther What is your request It shall be given you even to the half of my kingdom |
| 5:4 |
AndThen Esther said If it pleasepleases the king let the king and Haman come thistoday day to a dinnerbanquet that I have prepared for the king |
| 5:5 |
Then said the king said Bring Haman quickly so that we may do as Esther desires So the king and Haman came to the dinnerbanquet that Esther had prepared |
| 5:6 |
AndWhile as they were drinking wine the king said to Esther What is your petition It shall be granted you And what is your request Even to the half of my kingdom it shall be fulfilled |
| 5:7 |
ButThen Esther said MyThis is my petition and my request is: |
| 5:8 |
If I have foundwon favor in the sightkings offavor the king and if it pleasepleases the king to grant my petition and fulfilfulfill my request let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the dinnerbanquet whichthat I will prepare for them and tomorrowthen I will do as the king has said |
| 5:9 |
And Haman went out that day joyfulhappy and gladin ofgood heartspirits But when Haman saw Mor′decaiMordecai in the kings gate and observed that he neither rose nor trembled before him he was filledinfuriated with wrathMordecai; against Mor′decai |
| 5:10 |
Neverthelessnevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home; andThen he sent and fetchedcalled for his friends and his wife Zeresh |
| 5:11 |
Andand Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches the number of his sons all the promotions with which the king had honored him and how he had advanced him above the princesofficials and the servantsministers of the king |
| 5:12 |
And Haman added Even Queen Esther let no one but myself come with the king to the banquet that she prepared butTomorrow myself And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king |
| 5:13 |
Yet all this does me no good so long as I see Mor′decai the Jew Mordecai sitting at the kings gate |
| 5:14 |
Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made and in the morning tell the king to have Mor′decaiMordecai hanged uponon it; then go merrily with the king to the dinnerbanquet in good spirits This counseladvice pleased Haman and he had the gallows made |
| 6:1 |
On that night the king could not sleep; and he gave orders to bring the book of memorablerecords deeds the chroniclesannals and they were read beforeto the king |
| 6:2 |
AndIt it was found written how Mor′decaiMordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh two of the kings eunuchs who guarded the threshold and who had soughtconspired to layassassinate hands upon King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus |
| 6:3 |
AndThen the king said What honor or dignitydistinction has been bestowed on Mor′decaiMordecai for this The kings servants who attended him said Nothing has been done for him |
| 6:4 |
AndThe the king said Who is in the court Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the kings palace to speak to the king about having Mor′decaiMordecai hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for him |
| 6:5 |
So the kings servants told him Haman is there standing in the court AndThe the king said Let him come in |
| 6:6 |
So Haman came in and the king said to him What shall be done tofor the man whom the king delightswishes to honor And Haman said to himself Whom would the king delightwish to honor more than me |
| 6:7 |
AndSo Haman said to the king For the man whom the king delightswishes to honor |
| 6:8 |
let royal robes be brought which the king has worn and thea horse whichthat the king has ridden andwith on whose head a royal crown ison set;its head |
| 6:9 |
andLet let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the kings most noble princesofficials; let him arrayrobe the man whom the king delightswishes to honor and let him conduct the man on horseback through the open square of the city proclaiming before him: Thus shall it be done tofor the man whom the king delightswishes to honor |
| 6:10 |
Then the king said to Haman MakeQuickly haste take the robes and the horse as you have said and do so to Mor′decai the Jew Mordecai who sits at the kings gate Leave out nothing that you have mentioned |
| 6:11 |
So Haman took the robes and the horse and herobed arrayedMordecai Mor′decai and madeled him rideriding through the open square of the city proclaiming Thus shall it be done tofor the man whom the king delightswishes to honor |
| 6:12 |
Then Mor′decaiMordecai returned to the kings gate Butbut Haman hurried to his house mourning and with his head covered |
| 6:13 |
AndWhen Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had befallenhappened to him Then his wiseadvisers men and his wife Zeresh said to him If Mor′decaiMordecai before whom youyour havedownfall has begun to fall is of the Jewish people you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him |
| 6:14 |
While they were yetstill talking with him the kings eunuchs arrived and broughthurried Haman inoff haste to the banquet that Esther had prepared |
| 7:2 |
AndOn on the second day as they were drinking wine the king again said to Esther What is your petition Queen Esther It shall be granted you And what is your request Even to the half of my kingdom it shall be fulfilled |
| 7:3 |
Then Queen Esther answered If I have foundwon favor in your sightfavor O king and if it pleasepleases the king let my life be given me—that atis my petition —and the lives of my people—that atis my request |
| 7:4 |
For we arehave been sold I and my people to be destroyed to be slainkilled and to be annihilated If we had been sold merely as slaves men and women I would have held my peace; forbut ourno afflictionenemy iscan notcompensate tofor bethis compareddamage with the loss to the king |
| 7:5 |
Then King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus said to Queen Esther Who is he and where is he thatwho wouldhas presumepresumed to do this |
| 7:6 |
And Esther said A foe and enemy Thisthis wicked Haman Then Haman was interrified terror before the king and the queen |
| 7:7 |
AndThe the king rose from the feast in wrath and went into the palace garden; but Haman stayed to beg his life from Queen Esther for he saw that evilthe wasking had determined againstto destroy him by the king |
| 7:8 |
AndWhen the king returned from the palace garden to the placebanquet wherehall theyHaman werehad drinkingthrown winehimself as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining; and the king said Will he even assault the queen in my presence in my own house As the words left the mouth of the king they covered Hamans face |
| 7:9 |
Then saidHarbona Harbo′na one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king Moreoversaid Look the very gallows whichthat Haman has prepared for Mor′decaiMordecai whose word saved the king isstands standingat in Hamans house fifty cubits high And the king said Hang him on that |
| 7:10 |
And the king said Hang him on that So they hanged Haman on the gallows whichthat he had prepared for Mor′decaiMordecai Then the anger of the king abated |
| 8:1 |
On that day King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus gave to Queen Esther the house of Haman the enemy of the Jews; Andand Mor′decaiMordecai came before the king for Esther had told what he was to her; |
| 8:2 |
andThen the king took off his signet ring which he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mor′decaiMordecai AndSo Esther set Mor′decaiMordecai over the house of Haman |
| 8:3 |
Then Esther spoke again to the king; she fell at his feet weeping and besoughtpleading him with tearshim to avert the evil design of Haman the Ag′agiteAgagite and the plot whichthat he had devised against the Jews |
| 8:4 |
AndThe the king held out the golden scepter to Esther |
| 8:5 |
and Esther rose and stood before the king AndShe she said If it pleasepleases the king and if I have foundwon favor in his sightfavor and if the thing seemseems right before the king and I behave pleasing in his eyesapproval let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman theson Ag′agiteof Hammedatha the sonAgagite of Hammeda′tha which he wrote giving orders to destroy the Jews who are in all the provinces of the king |
| 8:6 |
For how can I endurebear to see the calamity that is coming toon my people Or how can I endurebear to see the destruction of my kindred |
| 8:7 |
Then King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus said to Queen Esther and to Mor′decai the Jew BeholdMordecai See I have given Esther the house of Haman and they have hanged him on the gallows because he wouldplotted to lay hands on the Jews |
| 8:8 |
AndYou you may write as you please with regard to the Jews in the name of the king and seal it with the kings ring; for an edict written in the name of the king and sealed with the kings ring cannot be revoked |
| 8:9 |
The kings secretaries were summoned at that time in the third month which is the month of Sivan on the twenty third day; and an edict was written according to all that Mor′decaiMordecai commanded concerningto the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the princesofficials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia aone hundred and twenty seven provinces to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language and also to the Jews in their script and their language |
| 8:10 |
TheHe writingwrote wasletters in the name of King AhasuAhasuerus e′russealed andthem sealed with the kings ring and letterssent werethem sent by mounted couriers riding on swiftfast horsessteeds that were used in the kings service bred from the royal studherd |
| 8:11 |
By these letters the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gatherassemble and defend their lives to destroy to slaykill and to annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them with their children and women and to plunder their goods |
| 8:12 |
uponon onea single day throughout all the provinces of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month of Adar |
| 8:13 |
A copy of whatthe waswrit written was to be issued as a decree in every province and bypublished proclamation to all peoples and the Jews were to be ready on that day to avengetake themselvesrevenge uponon their enemies |
| 8:14 |
So the couriers mounted on their swift horsesroyal thatsteeds werehurried used in the kings service rode out in haste urged by the kings command; andThe the decree was issued in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa |
| 8:15 |
Then Mor′decaiMordecai went out from the presence of the king inwearing royal robes of blue and white with a great golden crown and a mantle of fine linen and purple while the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced |
| 8:16 |
TheFor the Jews hadthere was light and gladness and joy and honor |
| 8:17 |
AndIn in every province and in every city wherever the kings command and his edict came there was gladness and joy among the Jews a feastfestival and a holiday AndFurthermore many fromof the peoples of the country declaredprofessed themselvesto be Jews forbecause the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them |
| 9:1 |
Now in the twelfth month which is the month of Adar on the thirteenth day of the same when the kings command and edict were about to be executed on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to getgain thepower mastery over them but which had been changed to a day when the Jews shouldwould getgain thepower mastery over their foes |
| 9:2 |
the Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the provinces of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus to lay hands on suchthose aswho had sought their hurtruin; Andand no one could makewithstand a stand against them forbecause the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples |
| 9:3 |
All the princesofficials of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and the royal officials alsowere helpedsupporting the Jews forbecause the fear of Mor′decaiMordecai had fallen upon them |
| 9:4 |
For Mor′decaiMordecai was greatpowerful in the kings house and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; foras the man Mor′decaiMordecai grew more and more powerful |
| 9:5 |
So the Jews smotestruck down all their enemies with the sword slaughtering and destroying them and did as they pleased to those who hated them |
| 9:6 |
In Susa the capitalcitadel itselfof Susa the Jews slewkilled and destroyed five hundred menpeople |
| 9:7 |
andThey alsokilled slewParshandatha Parshan da′tha and Dalphon andAspatha Aspa′tha |
| 9:8 |
andPoratha Pora′thaAdalia andAridatha Ada′lia and Arida′tha |
| 9:9 |
andParmashta Parmash′taArisai andAridai Ar′isaiVaizatha and Ar′idai and Vaiza′tha |
| 9:10 |
the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammeda′thaHammedatha the enemy of the Jews; but they laiddid nonot handtouch on the plunder |
| 9:11 |
That very day the number of those slainkilled in Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa was reported to the king |
| 9:12 |
AndThe the king said to Queen Esther In Susa the capitalcitadel of Susa the Jews have slainkilled five hundred menpeople and also the ten sons of Haman What then have they done in the rest of the kings provinces Now what is your petition It shall be granted you And what further is your request It shall be fulfilled |
| 9:13 |
And Esther said If it pleasepleases the king let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this days edict Andand let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows |
| 9:15 |
The Jews who were in Susa gathered also on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and they slewkilled three hundred menpersons in Susa; but they laiddid nonot handstouch on the plunder |
| 9:16 |
Now the other Jews who were in the kings provinces also gathered to defend their lives and gotgained relief from their enemies and slewkilled seventy five thousand of those who hated them; but they laid no hands on the plunder |
| 9:19 |
Therefore the Jews of the villages who live in the open towns hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting anda holiday making and a day on which they send choicegifts portionsof food to one another |
| 9:20 |
AndMordecai Mor′decai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus both near and far |
| 9:21 |
enjoining them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same month year by year |
| 9:22 |
as the days on which the Jews gotgained relief from their enemies and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness days for sending choicegifts portionsof food to one another and giftspresents to the poor |
| 9:23 |
So the Jews undertookadopted toas doa ascustom what they had begun andto do as Mor′decaiMordecai had written to them |
| 9:24 |
For Haman the Ag′agite the son of Hammeda′thaHammedatha the Agagite the enemy of all the Jews had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur —that is the lot —to crush and destroy them; |
| 9:25 |
but when Esther came before the king he gave orders in writing that histhe wicked plot whichthat he had devised against the Jews should come upon his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows |
| 9:26 |
Therefore they called these days are called Purim afterfrom the termword Pur AndThus therefore because of all that was written in this letter and of what they had faced in this matter and of what had befallenhappened to them |
| 9:27 |
the Jews ordainedestablished and tookaccepted itas upona custom for themselves and their descendants and all who joined them that without fail they would keepcontinue to observe these two days accordingevery toyear whatas it was written and at the time appointed every year |
| 9:28 |
thatThese these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation in every family province and city; and that these days of Purim should never fall into disuse among the Jews nor should the commemoration of these days cease among their descendants |
| 9:29 |
Then Queen Esther the daughter of Ab′ihailAbihail andalong Mor′decaiwith the Jew Mordecai gave full written authority confirming this second letter about Purim |
| 9:30 |
Letters were sent wishing peace and security to all the Jews to the one hundred and twenty seven provinces of the kingdom of AhasuAhasuerus e′rus in words of peace and truth |
| 9:31 |
and giving orders that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons as Mor′decai the Jew Mordecai and Queen Esther enjoined uponon the Jews andjust as they had laid down for themselves and for their descendants withregulations regardconcerning to their fasts and their lamentinglamentations |
| 10:1 |
King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus laid tribute on the land and on the coastlandsislands of the sea |
| 10:2 |
AndAll all the acts of his power and might and the full account of the high honor of Mor′decaiMordecai to which the king advanced him are they not written in the Bookannals of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia |
| 10:3 |
For Mor′decaiMordecai the Jew was next in rank to King AhasuAhasuerus e′rus and he was greatpowerful among the Jews and popular with thehis multitudemany ofkindred his brethren for he sought the welfaregood of his people and spokeinterceded peacefor tothe welfare of all his peopledescendants |