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 Jeconiah 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

In 2 Kings xxiv. 6, Jehoiachin.

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

3 Heb. nourished.

4 Heb. rest.

5 Heb. hand.

decai, 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 so1, 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. 2 °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 commandment? 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 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 Mor7 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, Iwords!

are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not 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 'satraps', 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. A 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 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;

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 inꞌ 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 la 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 Ifor 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 Juntol 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.

1 Heb. sackcloth and ashes were spread under many.

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 2moved 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 Irecounted unto them the glory of

2 Or, Itrembled before him

his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12) Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow also am I invited by her 13 together with the king. Yet all this

availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's 14 gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a 1gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and 'in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

61 On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, 'of those that kept the door, who had' sought to lay hands on the king 3 Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. 4 And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had 5 prepared for him. And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the 6 king said, Let him come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman 'said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 7 And Haman said unto the king,

For the man whom the king delight(8) eth to honour, let royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and on the head of which 'a' 9 crown royal is set: and let 'the' apparel and the horse be delivered to

1 Heb. tree.

Heb. the king's sleep fled from him. 3 Heb. threshold.

the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and cause him Ito ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of 11 all that thou hast spoken. Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and Icaused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delight12 eth to honour. And Mordecai came

again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and 13) having his head covered. And Haman recounted unto! Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. (14 °While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. 71 So the king and Haman came to (2) banquet with Esther the queen. And

the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee : and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be per3 formed. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at 4 my request: for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, although the 'adversary could not 'have compensated for the king's damage. 5 Then 'spake the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst

6 presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, 'An adversary and 'an' enemy, leven' this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the 7) king and the queen. And the king larose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the 8 king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he leven' force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered 9) Haman's face. Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king, Behold also, the 1gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who 'spakel good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. And the king said, 10 Hang him thereon. "So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

81

On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto 2 her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Ha3 man.

And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had 4) devised against the Jews. Then the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. So Esther arose, and stood 5 before the king. And she said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's 6 provinces for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to

1 Heb. tree.

2 Or, Iconcerningꞌ

о

see the destruction of my kindred? 7 °Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8°Write ye also to the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, 9 may no man reverse. Then were the king's scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the Isatraps', and the governors' and 'princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their lanand to guage, the Jews according to their writing, and according 10) to their language. And he wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus', and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king's service, bred 11 of the stud': wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, 'their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of 12 them for a prey, upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month 13 Adar. A copy of the writing, "that the decree should be given out in every province, was published unto all the peoples', and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 So the posts that rode upon 'swift steeds that were used in the king's service went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment; and the decree was given 'out 15 in Shushan the palace. oÅnd Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue

♦ Or, to be given out for a decree