Esther E

Of which letter that which follows is a copy.

The great king Artaxerxes to the rulers of countries in one hundred and twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia, and to those who are well affected to our government, greeting.

Many, the more often they are honoured by the all too great goodwill of their benefactors, have become the more proud; and not only do they seek to injure our subjects, but, being unable to endure abundance, they take in hand to devise schemes against their own benefactors. And not only do they take thankfulness away from men, but also, being lifted up with the ostentatiousness of the foolish, they suppose that they shall escape the evil-hating justice of the all-surveying God.

Yea, and oftentimes many of those who have been placed in the highest positions of authority have been moved by the specious words of those their friends who have been entrusted with the administration of the government to become partakers of innocent blood, and have become involved in irretrievable disasters, these men beguiling the innocent goodwill of their lords with the false trickery of their evil disposition.

And the things impiously accomplished through the pestilent behaviour of men who thus exercise their power unworthily may be seen not so much by an examination of the more ancient records which have been handed down as by observation of the things near at hand; and care must be taken for the fụture, in order that we may render the kingdom tranquil and peaceable for all men, not by relying upon ^†informations^†, but by ever passing judgement with clemency and attentiveness upon the matters that are brought to our notice.

For Haman, the son of Hamadathus, a Macedonian ⁽an alien in very truth from the Persian blood and one who is fallen far from our favour⁽, having been a guest among us, so far enjoyed the good-will which we display towards every nation, that he was called our father, and continued to receive the honour of all as the second person after the royal throne.

But he, not bearing his proud position, took counsel to deprive us of our kingdom, and to deprive of life not only Mardocheus who is at once our saviour and perpetual benefactor, but also Esther the blameless partner of our kingdom, together with their entire nation, by manifold chicanery and deceits asking for them to be delivered up to destruction. For through these wiles he thought to catch us isolated and to transfer the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.

But we find that the Jews whom this trebly-dyed villain had delivered to destruction are no evil-doers, but govern themselves with the most righteous laws, and are sons of the Most High, Most Mighty, Living God, who ordereth the kingdom both for us and for our fathers with the most excellent governance.

Ye will do well therefore not to give effect to the letters sent by Haman the son of Hamadathus, because the man himself who wrought these things has been hanged with all his house at the gate of Susa; for God that ruleth over all hath speedily rendered unto him the justice that he merits.

Now therefore display the copy of this letter openly in every place, and suffer the Jews to obey their own laws, and reinforce them so that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, on the selfsame day, they may defend themselves against those who attacked them in the time of their affliction: for this day hath the God who ruleth over all made to be unto them a day of gladness instead of the day of destruction for the chosen race.

Do ye also therefore, among your commemorative festivals keep it a notable day with all good cheer, that both now and hereafter it may be a day of salvation to us and to the Persians friendly to us, but a memorial of destruction to those who conspire against us.

And every city or country without exception which shall not do according to these commands shall fall under our wrath and be destroyed with fire and sword; it shall be rendered not only unpassable for men, but also hateful for all time to beasts and birds.