|
1:1 |
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:) |
|
1:2 |
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne
of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, |
|
1:3 |
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: |
|
1:4 |
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour
of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore
days. |
|
1:5 |
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; |
|
1:6 |
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. |
|
1:7 |
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. |
|
1:8 |
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. |
|
1:9 |
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. |
|
1:10 |
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, |
|
1:11 |
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. |
|
1:12 |
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. |
|
1:13 |
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: |
|
1:14 |
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;) |
|
1:15 |
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? |
|
1:16 |
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. |
|
1:17 |
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. |
|
1:18 |
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. |
|
1:19 |
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. |
|
1:20 |
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. |
|
1:21 |
And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king
did according to the word of Memucan: |
|
1:22 |
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. |
|
2:1 |
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. |
|
2:2 |
Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there
be fair young virgins sought for the king: |
|
2:3 |
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: |
|
2:4 |
And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of
Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. |
|
2:5 |
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; |
|
2:6 |
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. |
|
2:7 |
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. |
|
2:8 |
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. |
|
2:9 |
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. |
|
2:10 |
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai
had charged her that she should not shew it. |
|
2:11 |
And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's
house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. |
|
2:12 |
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;) |
|
2:13 |
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. |
|
2:14 |
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. |
|
2:15 |
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. |
|
2:16 |
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. |
|
2:17 |
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. |
|
2:18 |
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. |
|
2:19 |
And when the virgins were gathered together the second time,
then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. |
|
2:20 |
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. |
|
2:21 |
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. |
|
2:22 |
And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther
the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's
name. |
|
2:23 |
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. |
|
3:1 |
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. |
|
3:2 |
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. |
|
3:3 |
Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said
unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? |
|
3:4 |
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. |
|
3:5 |
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence,
then was Haman full of wrath. |
|
3:6 |
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. |
|
3:7 |
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. |
|
3:8 |
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. |
|
3:9 |
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. |
|
3:10 |
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman
the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. |
|
3:11 |
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. |
|
3:12 |
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. |
|
3:13 |
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. |
|
3:14 |
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. |
|
3:15 |
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. |
|
4:1 |
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; |
|
4:2 |
And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into
the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. |
|
4:3 |
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. |
|
4:4 |
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. |
|
4:5 |
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. |
|
4:6 |
So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city,
which was before the king's gate. |
|
4:7 |
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. |
|
4:8 |
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. |
|
4:9 |
And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. |
|
4:10 |
Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto
Mordecai; |
|
4:11 |
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. |
|
4:12 |
And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. |
|
4:13 |
Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself
that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the
Jews. |
|
4:14 |
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? |
|
4:15 |
Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, |
|
4:16 |
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. |
|
4:17 |
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther
had commanded him. |
|
5:1 |
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. |
|
5:2 |
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. |
|
5:3 |
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. |
|
5:4 |
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. |
|
5:5 |
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. |
|
5:6 |
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. |
|
5:7 |
Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; |
|
5:8 |
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. |
|
5:9 |
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. |
|
5:10 |
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home,
he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. |
|
5:11 |
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. |
|
5:12 |
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. |
|
5:13 |
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the
Jew sitting at the king's gate. |
|
5:14 |
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. |
|
6:1 |
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. |
|
6:2 |
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. |
|
6:3 |
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. |
|
6:4 |
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. |
|
6:5 |
And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth
in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. |
|
6:6 |
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? |
|
6:7 |
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth
to honour, |
|
6:8 |
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: |
|
6:9 |
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. |
|
6:10 |
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. |
|
6:11 |
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. |
|
6:12 |
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted
to his house mourning, and having his head covered. |
|
6:13 |
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. |
|
6:14 |
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. |
|
7:1 |
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. |
|
7:2 |
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. |
|
7:3 |
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: |
|
7:4 |
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. |
|
7:5 |
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? |
|
7:6 |
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. |
|
7:7 |
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. |
|
7:8 |
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. |
|
7:9 |
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. |
|
7:10 |
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for
Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. |
|
8:1 |
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. |
|
8:2 |
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. |
|
8:3 |
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. |
|
8:4 |
Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther
arose, and stood before the king, |
|
8:5 |
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: |
|
8:6 |
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? |
|
8:7 |
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. |
|
8:8 |
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. |
|
8:9 |
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. |
|
8:10 |
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: |
|
8:11 |
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, |
|
8:12 |
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely,
upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month
Adar. |
|
8:13 |
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. |
|
8:14 |
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. |
|
8:15 |
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. |
|
8:16 |
The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. |
|
8:17 |
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. |
|
9:1 |
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;) |
|
9:2 |
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. |
|
9:3 |
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. |
|
9:4 |
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. |
|
9:5 |
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. |
|
9:6 |
And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred
men. |
|
9:7 |
And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, |
|
9:8 |
And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, |
|
9:9 |
And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, |
|
9:10 |
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. |
|
9:11 |
On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the
palace was brought before the king. |
|
9:12 |
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. |
|
9:13 |
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. |
|
9:14 |
And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given
at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. |
|
9:15 |
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. |
|
9:16 |
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, |
|
9:17 |
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. |
|
9:18 |
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. |
|
9:19 |
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. |
|
9:20 |
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, |
|
9:21 |
To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth
day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, |
|
9:22 |
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. |
|
9:23 |
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai
had written unto them; |
|
9:24 |
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; |
|
9:25 |
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. |
|
9:26 |
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, |
|
9:27 |
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; |
|
9:28 |
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. |
|
9:29 |
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai
the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter
of Purim. |
|
9:30 |
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, |
|
9:31 |
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. |
|
9:32 |
And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and
it was written in the book. |
