Esther 3:7–15

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. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 12 oThen were the king’s ||scribes called on the thirteenth day of the pfirst month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s qlieutenants, and to the rgovernors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of severy province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; tin the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. 13 And the letters were sent uby posts into all the king’s provinces, vto destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, win one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month kAdar, and xto take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 yThe copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 uThe posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but zthe city Shushan was perplexed.