Esther 3:1–10

After these things did king Ahasuerus apromote Haman the son of Hammedatha the bAgagite, and aadvanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants, that were cin 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 Then the king’s servants, which were cin the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the dking’s commandment? 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. 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai ebowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman ffull of wrath. 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.

7 *In the first month, that is, the month gNisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast hPur, that is, ithe lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month kAdar. 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 ltheir laws are mdiverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not †for the king’s profit to suffer them. 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. 10 And the king ntook his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the bAgagite, the Jews’ ||enemy.