7 In the first month, the month of Nisan, in King Ahasuerus’s twelfth year,f the pur—that is, the lot—was cast before Haman for each day in each month, and it fell on the twelfth month,g the month Adar.h 8 Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, “There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom,i keeping themselves separate. Their laws are different from everyone else’s and they do not obey the king’s laws.j It is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.k 9 If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver toB the officials for deposit in the royal treasury.”l

10 The king removed his signet ringm from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.n 11 Then the king told Haman, “The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit.”