*Now ain the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when bthe 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;) 2 The Jews cgathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as dsought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for ethe fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the flieutenants, and the gdeputies, and †officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai hwaxed greater and greater. 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.