Esther 8:9–9:17

9 lThen were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month mSivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the nlieutenants, and the odeputies and rulers of the provinces which are from pIndia unto Ethiopia, pan hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province qaccording to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. 10 rAnd he wrote iin the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on smules, tcamels, and young dromedaries: 11 rWherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and uto take the spoil of them for a prey, 12 xUpon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 yThe copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was †published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon smules and tcamels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king zin royal apparel of ||blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of afine linen and bpurple: and cthe city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had dlight, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and ea good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for fthe fear of the Jews fell upon them.

9 *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. 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10 iThe ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but kon the spoil laid they not their hand.

11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace †was brought before the king. 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or lwhat is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do mto morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and †let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan ngathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but oon the prey they laid not their hand. 16 But the other Jews pthat were in the king’s provinces ngathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but othey laid not their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day †of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.