Esther 8:9–14

9 iSo the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day; and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces jfrom India to Ethiopia, one hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all, to every province kin its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. 10 lAnd he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses 2bred from swift steeds.

11 By these letters the king permitted the Jews who were in every city to mgather together and protect their lives—to ndestroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them, both little children and women, and to plunder their possessions, 12 oon one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of 3Adar. 13 pA copy of the document was to be issued as a decree in every province and published for all people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 The couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king’s command. And the decree was issued in 4Shushan the 5citadel.