¹⁸But the Jews in Susa had gathered together on the 13th and 14th. Then on the 15th they rested. They made it a day to celebrate with great joy. And they enjoyed good food.

¹⁹That’s why Jews who live out in the villages celebrate on the 14th of Adar. They celebrate that day with great joy. And they enjoy good food. They also give presents to each other on that day.

²⁰Mordecai wrote down those events. He sent letters to all of the Jews all through the territories of King Xerxes. It didn’t matter whether the Jews lived nearby or far away. ²¹Mordecai told them to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of the month of Adar. He wanted them to do it every year.

²²Mordecai told the Jews to celebrate the time when they got rest from their enemies. That was the month when their sadness was turned into joy. It was when their sobbing turned into a day for celebrating. He wrote the letters to celebrate those days as times of joy. He wanted the people to enjoy good food. He told them to give presents of food to one another. He also wanted them to give gifts to those who were poor.

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