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all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treas13 uries. And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their business was to 14 distribute unto their brethren.

15

Re

member me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my 1good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the 'observances thereof.

In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in 2sheaves, and lading. asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they 16 sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought 'in' fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of 17 Judah, and in Jerusalem. °Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the 18 sabbath day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel 19 by profaning the sabbath. And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the 'doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I 'over' the gates, that there should no burden be 20 brought in on the sabbath day.

So

the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem 21 once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye

1 Heb. kindnesses. 2 Or, heaps of corn 3 Heb. before.

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In those days also saw I the Jews that had married 'women' of Ashdod, 24 of Ammon, and of Moab: and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the 25 language of each people. And I

Did

contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for 26 your sons, or for yourselves. not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, land he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did 'strangel 27 women cause to sin. Shall we then

hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to 'trespass against our God in 28 marrying strange women'? °And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: there29 fore I chased him from me. °Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and (30 of the Levites. °Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed wards 'for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his 31 'work'; and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

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VERSION OF 1611.-12 (new); 13 office; 14 offices; 19 gates.. charged.. at; 22 cleanse. concerning; 23 wives; 25 unto; 26 who.. outlandish; 27 transgress.. wives; 30 (the).. of business. [17]

THE

BOOK OF ESTHER.

11 Now it came to pass in the days of 'Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and 2 twenty provinces :) °that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in 3 Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, 4 being before him: when he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and (fourscore days. And when these days were fulfilled', the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's pal6) ace; there were hangings of white cloth, of green, and of blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and white, and yellow, and black ¡ marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the 8 bounty of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none 'could compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according 9to every man's pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to 10 king Ahasuerus. "On the seventh

day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that 'ministered'

in the presence of Ahasuerus the 11 king, to bring Vashti the queen be

10r, Xerxes Heb. Ahashverosh. 2 Or, Icastlel

Or, fine cloth, white and blue 'Or, cotton

fore the king with the crown royal, to shew the 'peoples' and the princes her beauty for she was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in 13 him. Then the king said to the wise

O

men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all (14 that knew law and judgement; and the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and sat first in 15 the kingdom:) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by 16 the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the 'peoples' that are in all the provinces 17 of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, Ito make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, (18) but she came not. And this day shall the princesses of Persia and Media which have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king's princes. So shall there 19 arise much contempt and wrath.

If

it please the king, let there go 'forth' a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, 10that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto 20 another that is better than she. And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout

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VERSION OF 1611.-I. 5 expired.. (unto); 6 where.. beds.. blue; 7 state; 8 did; 10 served; 11 people: 12 his; 13 towards; 14 (which).. (the); 15 performed. . commandment; 16 people; 17 so that they shall despise; 18 Likewise.. ladies.. Thus.. (too). = [25]

all his kingdom', (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands 21 honour, both to great and small. And

the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according 22) to the word of Memucan: °for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and should 'publish' it according to the language of 'his' people.

21

After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was 'pacified', he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against 2 her. "Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the 3 king: and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegail the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be 4 given them: and let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

(5) There was a certain Jew in Shushan

the palace, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the 6 son of Kish, a Benjamite; who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives which had been carried away with 2Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7) And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden' was fair and beautiful; land when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his 8 own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of 9 Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with her portions, and the seven maidens, which were meet to be

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given her, out of the king's house: and he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of 10 the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should 11 not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 12) Now when the turn of every Imaiden' was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been Idone to her according to the law for the women, twelve months, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with the things for the purifying of the women,) 13 then 'in this wise came 'the' maiden unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the 14 king's house. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. 15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon 16 her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his *17 reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made 18 her queen instead of Vashti. °Then

the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a 'release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king. 19 °And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mor20 decai sat in the king's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor 4 Heb. rest. 5 Heb. hand.

3 Heb. nourished.

VERSION OF 1611.-20 empire; 22 that.. be published.. every. II. 1 appeased; 3 Hege; 5 (Now); 6 captivity; 7 maid. . whom; 8 brought also unto; 9 such things as belonged to.. preferred maids unto; 12 maid's . . she.. manner of . . other; 13 thus.. every; 18 state. = [30]

her people; as Mordecai had charged her for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was 21 brought up with him. In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who shewed it unto Esther the queen; and Esther 'told' the king 23 thereof in Mordecai's name. °And when inquisition was made of the matter, 'and' it was found to be sol, they were both hanged on a tree and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

31 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. ? And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed down', and 'did reverence to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not 'down', 3 nor did him reverence. "Then the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's com4 mandment? 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. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down', nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of 6 wrath. But 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 Mor1 decai. In the first month, which' is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month 8 Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws

1 Heb. threshold. 2 Or, I words!

are diverse from ple; neither keep therefore it is not

those of every! peothey the king's laws: for the king's profit

(9 to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treas10 uries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the 11 Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 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 Then were the king's "scribes called lin' the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and there was written according to all that Haman commanded unto the king's 'satrapsꞌ, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the 'princes' of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring. (13 And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to Islay', and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take 14 the spoil of them for a prey. oIAꞌ copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all 'the peoples', that they should be ready against that day. 15 °The posts went 'forth in haste' by the king's commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace : and the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

41

3 Or, Iseparated
Or, meet for the \king|

Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and 2 a bitter cry: and he came even before the king's gate: for none might enter within the king's gate clothed 3 with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing;

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VERSION OF 1611.-21 hand; 22 told.. certified; 23 out; therefore. III. 2 reverenced; 3 which; 6 And; 7 that that; 8 people.. all; 9 (may). . to; 12 of.. (had). . lieutenants. . rulers of 13 (the).. kill; 14 The.. for a commandment to .. people; 15 out, being hastened. IV. 1 perceived; 2 into. =[32]

and 'many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4)And Esther's maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly grieved and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take his sackcloth from 'off' him: but he received 5 it not. Then called Esther for Hathach', one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged' him 'to gol to Mordecai, to know what this was, 6 and why it was. So Hathach' went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before 7 the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to 8 destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her 9 people. And 'Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10 Then Esther spake unto 'Hathach',

and gave him a message unto Mor11 decai, saying: All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law 'for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty 12 days. And they told to Mordecai 13 Esther's words. "Then Mordecai 'bade them return answer untol Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, 14 more than all the Jews. For if thou

altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house shall perish: and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15) Then Esther bade them return an16 swer unto Mordecai, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present

in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day I also and my maidens will fast in like manner'; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law and if I perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

51

1 Heb. sackcloth and ashes were spread under many.

Then..

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the 2 house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3) Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be given thee even to the half of the kingdom. 4 And Esther said', If it seem good

unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that 5 I have prepared for him. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done' as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had 6 prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be 7 performed. Then answered Esther,

and said, My petition and my request 8 is; if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said. 9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad 'of heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was 'filled with wrath' against 10 Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; land' he sent and 'fetched' his friends 11 and Zeresh his wife. And Haman 'recounted unto them the glory of

2 Or, Itrembled before him

VERSION OF 1611.-4 So.. maids. away; 5 Hatach .. gave . . a commandment . . it; 6 Hatach street; 7 of; 8 at; 9 Hatach; 10 Again.. Hatach. . commandment; 11 of his to.. him; 13 commanded to; 14 there enlargement.. be destroyed; 15 this; 16 likewise. -V. 1 gate; 4 answered; 5 he.. do; 9 with a .. . full of indignation; 10 when he came.. called for; 11 told.. of. = [45]

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