3 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. 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.