Esther 8:9–17

⁹On the twenty-third day of the third month ^a(that is, the month Sivan), ^bthe royal scribes were summoned. Everything was written exactly as Mordecai ^cordered for the Jews, to the satraps, ^dthe governors, and the officials of the 127 provinces from India ^eto Cush. ^fThe edict was written for each province in its own script, for each ethnic group in its own language, ^gand to the Jews in their own script and language.

¹⁰Mordecai wrote in King Ahasuerus’s name and sealed the edicts with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers, ^hwho rode fast horses ⁱbred from the royal racing mares.

¹¹The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war. ^j12This would take place on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar. ^kl

¹³A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples ^mso the Jews could be ready to avenge themselves against their enemies on that day. ¹⁴The couriers rode out in haste on their royal horses at the king’s urgent command. The law was also issued in the fortress of Susa. ⁿ

¹⁵Mordecai went from the king’s presence clothed in royal purple and white, with a great gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. ^oThe city of Susa shouted and rejoiced, ^p16and the Jews celebrated ^qwith gladness, joy, and honor. ^r17In every province and every city, wherever the king’s command and his law reached, joy and rejoicing took place among the Jews. There was a celebration and a holiday. ^stAnd many of the ethnic groups of the land professed themselves to be Jews because fear of the Jews ^uhad overcome them.