THE BOOK OF

ESTHER
CHAPTER 1 the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look
1 Now it came to pass in the days of on.
Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at
from India even unto Ethiopia, over an the king's commandment by his chamberlains:
hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) therefore was the king very wroth, and his
2 That in those days, when the king anger burned in him.
Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, 13 ¶ Then the king said to the wise men,
which was in Shushan the palace, which knew the times, (for so was the king's
3 In the third year of his reign, he made a manner toward all that knew law and
feast unto all his princes and his servants; the judgment:
power of Persia and Media, the nobles and 14 And the next unto him was Carshena,
princes of the provinces, being before him: Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena,
4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and
kingdom and the honour of his excellent Media, which saw the king's face, and which
majesty many days, even an hundred and sat the first in the kingdom;)
fourscore days. 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti
5 And when these days were expired, the according to law, because she hath not
king made a feast unto all the people that were performed the commandment of the king
present in Shushan the palace, both unto great Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?
and small, seven days, in the court of the 16 And Memucan answered before the king
garden of the king's palace; and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not
6 Where were white, green, and blue, done wrong to the king only, but also to all the
hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and princes, and to all the people that are in all the
purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement 17 For this deed of the queen shall come
of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. abroad unto all women, so that they shall
7 And they gave them drink in vessels of despise their husbands in their eyes, when it
gold, (the vessels being diverse one from shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus
another,) and royal wine in abundance, commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in
according to the state of the king. before him, but she came not.
8 And the drinking was according to the 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and
law; none did compel: for so the king had Media say this day unto all the king's princes,
appointed to all the officers of his house, that which have heard of the deed of the queen.
they should do according to every man's Thus shall there arise too much contempt and
pleasure. wrath.
9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the 19 If it please the king, let there go a royal
women in the royal house which belonged to commandment from him, and let it be written
king Ahasuerus. among the laws of the Persians and the Medes,
10 ¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of that it be not altered, That Vashti come no
the king was merry with wine, he commanded more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king
Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and give her royal estate unto another that is better
Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven than she.
chamberlains that served in the presence of 20 And when the king's decree which he
Ahasuerus the king, shall make shall be published throughout all
11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall
with the crown royal, to shew the people and give to their husbands honour, both to great

1
 ESTHER
and small. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she
21 And the saying pleased the king and the obtained kindness of him; and he speedily
princes; and the king did according to the gave her her things for purification, with such
word of Memucan: things as belonged to her, and seven maidens,
22 For he sent letters into all the king's which were meet to be given her, out of the
provinces, into every province according to king's house: and he preferred her and her
the writing thereof, and to every people after maids unto the best place of the house of the
their language, that every man should bear women.
rule in his own house, and that it should be 10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her
published according to the language of every kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she
people. should not shew it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before
CHAPTER 2 the court of the women's house, to know how
1 After these things, when the wrath of king Esther did, and what should become of her.
Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered 12 ¶ Now when every maid's turn was come
Vashti, and what she had done, and what was to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had
decreed against her. been twelve months, according to the manner
2 Then said the king's servants that of the women, (for so were the days of their
ministered unto him, Let there be fair young purifications accomplished, to wit, six months
virgins sought for the king: with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the odours, and with other things for the purifying
provinces of his kingdom, that they may of the women;)
gather together all the fair young virgins unto 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the
Shushan the palace, to the house of the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to
women, unto the custody of Hege the king's go with her out of the house of the women
chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let unto the king's house.
their things for purification be given them: 14 In the evening she went, and on the
4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the morrow she returned into the second house of
king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the
pleased the king; and he did so. king's chamberlain, which kept the
5 ¶ Now in Shushan the palace there was a concubines: she came in unto the king no
certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the more, except the king delighted in her, and
son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, that she were called by name.
a Benjamite; 15 ¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the
6 Who had been carried away from daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai,
Jerusalem with the captivity which had been who had taken her for his daughter, was come
carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, to go in unto the king, she required nothing
whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the
had carried away. keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, obtained favour in the sight of all them that
Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had looked upon her.
neither father nor mother, and the maid was 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus
fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her into his house royal in the tenth month, which
father and mother were dead, took for his own is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his
daughter. reign.
8 ¶ So it came to pass, when the king's 17 And the king loved Esther above all the
commandment and his decree was heard, and women, and she obtained grace and favour in
when many maidens were gathered together his sight more than all the virgins; so that he
unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of set the royal crown upon her head, and made
Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the her queen instead of Vashti.
king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all
of the women. his princes and his servants, even Esther's

2
 ESTHER
feast; and he made a release to the provinces, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman
and gave gifts, according to the state of the from day to day, and from month to month, to
king. the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
19 And when the virgins were gathered 8 ¶ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus,
together the second time, then Mordecai sat in There is a certain people scattered abroad and
the king's gate. dispersed among the people in all the
20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are
nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: diverse from all people; neither keep they the
for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's
like as when she was brought up with him. profit to suffer them.
21 ¶ In those days, while Mordecai sat in the 9 If it please the king, let it be written that
king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten
Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the thousand talents of silver to the hands of those
door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on that have the charge of the business, to bring it
the king Ahasuerus. into the king's treasuries.
22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, 10 And the king took his ring from his hand,
who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther and gave it unto Haman the son of
certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
23 And when inquisition was made of the 11 And the king said unto Haman, The
matter, it was found out; therefore they were silver is given to thee, the people also, to do
both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the with them as it seemeth good to thee.
book of the chronicles before the king. 12 Then were the king's scribes called on the
thirteenth day of the first month, and there was
CHAPTER 3 written according to all that Haman had
1 After these things did king Ahasuerus commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to
promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the the governors that were over every province,
Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat and to the rulers of every people of every
above all the princes that were with him. province according to the writing thereof, and
2 And all the king's servants, that were in to every people after their language; in the
the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and
Haman: for the king had so commanded sealed with the king's ring.
concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all
did him reverence. the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to
3 Then the king's servants, which were in cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old,
the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why little children and women, in one day, even
transgressest thou the king's commandment? upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil
daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto of them for a prey.
them, that they told Haman, to see whether 14 The copy of the writing for a
Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had commandment to be given in every province
told them that he was a Jew. was published unto all people, that they should
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai be ready against that day.
bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was 15 The posts went out, being hastened by
Haman full of wrath. the king's commandment, and the decree was
6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on given in Shushan the palace. And the king and
Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan
people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought was perplexed.
to destroy all the Jews that were throughout
the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the CHAPTER 4
people of Mordecai. 1 When Mordecai perceived all that was
7 ¶ In the first month, that is, the month done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on
Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the

3
 ESTHER
midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a Jews.
bitter cry; 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at
2 And came even before the king's gate: for this time, then shall there enlargement and
none might enter into the king's gate clothed deliverance arise to the Jews from another
with sackcloth. place; but thou and thy father's house shall be
3 And in every province, whithersoever the destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art
king's commandment and his decree came, come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
there was great mourning among the Jews, 15 ¶ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai
and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and this answer,
many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are
4 ¶ So Esther's maids and her chamberlains present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and
came and told it her. Then was the queen neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I
exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so
clothe Mordecai, and to take away his will I go in unto the king, which is not
sackcloth from him: but he received it not. according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did
king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed according to all that Esther had commanded
to attend upon her, and gave him a him.
commandment to Mordecai, to know what it
was, and why it was. CHAPTER 5
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the 1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that
street of the city, which was before the king's Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in
gate. the inner court of the king's house, over
7 And Mordecai told him of all that had against the king's house: and the king sat upon
happened unto him, and of the sum of the his royal throne in the royal house, over
money that Haman had promised to pay to the against the gate of the house.
king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther
8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing the queen standing in the court, that she
of the decree that was given at Shushan to obtained favour in his sight: and the king held
destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his
declare it unto her, and to charge her that she hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the
should go in unto the king, to make top of the sceptre.
supplication unto him, and to make request 3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt
before him for her people. thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it
9 And Hatach came and told Esther the shall be even given thee to the half of the
words of Mordecai. kingdom.
10 ¶ Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and 4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto
gave him commandment unto Mordecai; the king, let the king and Haman come this
11 All the king's servants, and the people of day unto the banquet that I have prepared for
the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, him.
whether man or woman, shall come unto the 5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make
king into the inner court, who is not called, haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So
there is one law of his to put him to death, the king and Haman came to the banquet that
except such to whom the king shall hold out Esther had prepared.
the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have 6 ¶ And the king said unto Esther at the
not been called to come in unto the king these banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it
thirty days. shall be granted thee: and what is thy request?
12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's even to the half of the kingdom it shall be
words. performed.
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My
Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt petition and my request is;
escape in the king's house, more than all the 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the

4
 ESTHER
king, and if it please the king to grant my prepared for him.
petition, and to perform my request, let the 5 And the king's servants said unto him,
king and Haman come to the banquet that I Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the
shall prepare for them, and I will do to king said, Let him come in.
morrow as the king hath said. 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto
9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful him, What shall be done unto the man whom
and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman
Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not thought in his heart, To whom would the king
up, nor moved for him, he was full of delight to do honour more than to myself?
indignation against Mordecai. 7 And Haman answered the king, For the
10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: man whom the king delighteth to honour,
and when he came home, he sent and called 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the
for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. king useth to wear, and the horse that the king
11 And Haman told them of the glory of his rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set
riches, and the multitude of his children, and upon his head:
all the things wherein the king had promoted 9 And let this apparel and horse be delivered
him, and how he had advanced him above the to the hand of one of the king's most noble
princes and servants of the king. princes, that they may array the man withal
12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring
queen did let no man come in with the king him on horseback through the street of the
unto the banquet that she had prepared but city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be
myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her done to the man whom the king delighteth to
also with the king. honour.
13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make
as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as
gate. thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the
14 ¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing
friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fail of all that thou hast spoken.
fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou 11 Then took Haman the apparel and the
unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him
thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king on horseback through the street of the city, and
unto the banquet. And the thing pleased proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done
Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made. unto the man whom the king delighteth to
honour.
CHAPTER 6 12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the king's
1 On that night could not the king sleep, and gate. But Haman hasted to his house
he commanded to bring the book of records of mourning, and having his head covered.
the chronicles; and they were read before the 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all
king. his friends every thing that had befallen him.
2 And it was found written, that Mordecai Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife
had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the
king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall,
who sought to lay hand on the king thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt
Ahasuerus. surely fall before him.
3 And the king said, What honour and 14 And while they were yet talking with
dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted
Then said the king's servants that ministered to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther
unto him, There is nothing done for him. had prepared.
4 ¶ And the king said, Who is in the court?
Now Haman was come into the outward court CHAPTER 7
of the king's house, to speak unto the king to 1 So the king and Haman came to banquet
hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had with Esther the queen.

5
 ESTHER
2 And the king said again unto Esther on the house of Haman.
second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy 3 ¶ And Esther spake yet again before the
petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted king, and fell down at his feet, and besought
thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be him with tears to put away the mischief of
performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had
3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, devised against the Jews.
If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre
if it please the king, let my life be given me at toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood
my petition, and my people at my request: before the king,
4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be 5 And said, If it please the king, and if I
destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we have found favour in his sight, and the thing
had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in
had held my tongue, although the enemy could his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters
not countervail the king's damage. devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the
5 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews
said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and which are in all the king's provinces:
where is he, that durst presume in his heart to 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that
do so? shall come unto my people? or how can I
6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid 7 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto
before the king and the queen. Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew,
7 ¶ And the king arising from the banquet of Behold, I have given Esther the house of
wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: Haman, and him they have hanged upon the
and Haman stood up to make request for his gallows, because he laid his hand upon the
life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there Jews.
was evil determined against him by the king. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you,
8 Then the king returned out of the palace in the king's name, and seal it with the king's
garden into the place of the banquet of wine; ring: for the writing which is written in the
and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon king's name, and sealed with the king's ring,
Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force may no man reverse.
the queen also before me in the house? As the 9 Then were the king's scribes called at that
word went out of the king's mouth, they time in the third month, that is, the month
covered Haman's face. Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof;
9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, and it was written according to all that
said before the king, Behold also, the gallows Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to
fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of
Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, the provinces which are from India unto
standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven
said, Hang him thereon. provinces, unto every province according to
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows the writing thereof, and unto every people
that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was after their language, and to the Jews according
the king's wrath pacified. to their writing, and according to their
language.
CHAPTER 8 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus'
1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and
the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders
Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
the king; for Esther had told what he was unto 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which
her. were in every city to gather themselves
2 And the king took off his ring, which he together, and to stand for their life, to destroy,
had taken from Haman, and gave it unto to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of
Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the the people and province that would assault

6
 ESTHER
them, both little ones and women, and to take destruction, and did what they would unto
the spoil of them for a prey, those that hated them.
12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew
Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of and destroyed five hundred men.
the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and
13 The copy of the writing for a Aspatha,
commandment to be given in every province 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
was published unto all people, and that the 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai,
Jews should be ready against that day to and Vajezatha,
avenge themselves on their enemies. 10 The ten sons of Haman the son of
14 So the posts that rode upon mules and Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew
camels went out, being hastened and pressed they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.
on by the king's commandment. And the 11 On that day the number of those that
decree was given at Shushan the palace. were slain in Shushan the palace was brought
15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the before the king.
presence of the king in royal apparel of blue 12 ¶ And the king said unto Esther the
and white, and with a great crown of gold, and queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five
with a garment of fine linen and purple: and hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the
the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the
16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy
joy, and honour. petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what
17 And in every province, and in every city, is thy request further? and it shall be done.
whithersoever the king's commandment and 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let
his decree came, the Jews had joy and it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan
gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of to do to morrow also according unto this day's
the people of the land became Jews; for the decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged
fear of the Jews fell upon them. upon the gallows.
14 And the king commanded it so to be
CHAPTER 9 done: and the decree was given at Shushan;
1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, 15 For the Jews that were in Shushan
when the king's commandment and his decree gathered themselves together on the fourteenth
drew near to be put in execution, in the day day also of the month Adar, and slew three
that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they
power over them, (though it was turned to the laid not their hand.
contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's
hated them;) provinces gathered themselves together, and
2 The Jews gathered themselves together in stood for their lives, and had rest from their
their cities throughout all the provinces of the enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and
king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought five thousand, but they laid not their hands on
their hurt: and no man could withstand them; the prey,
for the fear of them fell upon all people. 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar;
3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the and on the fourteenth day of the same rested
lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of they, and made it a day of feasting and
the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of gladness.
Mordecai fell upon them. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan
4 For Mordecai was great in the king's assembled together on the thirteenth day
house, and his fame went out throughout all thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on
the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and
greater and greater. made it a day of feasting and gladness.
5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that
the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the

7
 ESTHER
fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews,
gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of
sending portions one to another. the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of
20 ¶ And Mordecai wrote these things, and peace and truth,
sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all 31 To confirm these days of Purim in their
the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh times appointed, according as Mordecai the
and far, Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them,
21 To stablish this among them, that they and as they had decreed for themselves and for
should keep the fourteenth day of the month their seed, the matters of the fastings and their
Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, cry.
yearly, 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these
22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from matters of Purim; and it was written in the
their enemies, and the month which was book.
turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from
mourning into a good day: that they should CHAPTER 10
make them days of feasting and joy, and of 1 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon
sending portions one to another, and gifts to the land, and upon the isles of the sea.
the poor. 2 And all the acts of his power and of his
23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had might, and the declaration of the greatness of
begun, and as Mordecai had written unto Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him,
them; are they not written in the book of the
24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king
devised against the Jews to destroy them, and Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and
had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, accepted of the multitude of his brethren,
and to destroy them; seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking
25 But when Esther came before the king, peace to all his seed.
he commanded by letters that his wicked
device, which he devised against the Jews,
should return upon his own head, and that he
and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26 Wherefore they called these days Purim
after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the
words of this letter, and of that which they had
seen concerning this matter, and which had
come unto them,
27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them,
and upon their seed, and upon all such as
joined themselves unto them, so as it should
not fail, that they would keep these two days
according to their writing, and according to
their appointed time every year;
28 And that these days should be
remembered and kept throughout every
generation, every family, every province, and
every city; and that these days of Purim
should not fail from among the Jews, nor the
memorial of them perish from their seed.
29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of
Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all
authority, to confirm this second letter of
Purim.