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Esther 1-10
New American Standard Bible

The Banquets of the King

1 Now it happened in the days of (A)Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned (B)from India to [a]Cush over (C)127 provinces, 2 in those days as King Ahasuerus (D)sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in (E)Susa, 3 in the third year of his reign (F)he held a banquet for all his officials and attendants, the army officers of Persia and Media, the nobles and the officials of his provinces, in his presence. 4 [b]At that time he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.

5 When these days were finished, the king held a banquet lasting seven days for all the people who were present at the citadel in Susa, from the greatest to the least, in the courtyard of (G)the garden of the king’s palace. 6 There were curtains of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple linen on silver rings and marble columns, and (H)couches of gold and silver on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stones. 7 Drinks were served in golden vessels of various kinds, and the royal wine was plentiful (I)in proportion to the king’s [c]bounty. 8 But the drinking was done according to the royal law; there was no compulsion, for so the king had given orders to each official of his household, that he was to do as each person pleased. 9 Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women in the [d]palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

Queen Vashti’s Refusal

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was (J)cheerful with wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal (K)turban in order to display her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful. 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order [e]delivered by the eunuchs. So the king became very angry, and his wrath burned within him.

13 Then the king said to (L)the wise men (M)who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice 14 and were close to him, namely, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media (N)who [f]had access to the king’s presence and sat in the first place in the kingdom— 15 “According to law, what is to be done with Queen Vashti, since she did not [g]obey the command of King Ahasuerus [h]delivered by the eunuchs?” 16 And in the presence of the king and the other officials, Memucan said, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king but also all the officials and all the peoples who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s conduct will [i]become known to all the women so as to make their own husbands despicable in their sight, when they say, ‘King Ahasuerus [j]commanded that Queen Vashti be brought in to his presence, but she did not come.’ 18 And this day the wives of the officials of Persia and Media who have heard about the queen’s conduct will talk about it to all the king’s officials, and there will be plenty of contempt and anger. 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal [k]edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so (O)that it cannot [l]be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to [m]another who is more worthy than she. 20 When the king’s edict which he will make is heard throughout his kingdom, [n]great as it is, then (P)all women will give honor to their husbands, great and small.”

21 Now this word pleased the king and the officials, and the king did [o]as Memucan proposed. 22 So he sent letters to all the king’s provinces, (Q)to each province according to its script and to every people according to their language, that every man was to (R)be the ruler in his own house and the one who speaks in the language of his own people.

Vashti’s Successor Sought

2 After these things, (S)when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and (T)what had been decided regarding her. 2 Then the king’s attendants, who served him, said, “(U)Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. 3 And may the king appoint overseers in (V)all the provinces of his kingdom, and have them [p]bring every beautiful young virgin to the citadel of Susa, to the harem, into the custody of (W)Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and (X)let their cosmetics be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen in place of Vashti.” And the [q]suggestion pleased the king, and he did accordingly.

5 There was a Jew at the citadel in Susa whose name was (Y)Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite, 6 (Z)who had been taken from Jerusalem with the exiles who had been deported with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had deported. 7 He was the guardian to Hadassah, that is (AA)Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no father or mother. Now the young woman was beautiful of form and [r]face, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.

Esther Finds Favor

8 So it came about, when the command and decree of the king were heard and (AB)many young ladies were gathered to the citadel of Susa into the [s]custody of (AC)Hegai, that Esther was taken to the king’s [t]palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 Now the young lady pleased him and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her (AD)cosmetics and [u]food, gave her seven choice female attendants from the king’s palace, and transferred her and her attendants to the best place in the harem. 10 (AE)Esther did not reveal her people or her kindred, because Mordecai had instructed her that she was not to reveal them. 11 And every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her.

12 Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beauty treatment were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with balsam oil and the cosmetics for women— 13 the young woman would go in to the king in this way: anything that she [v]desired was given her to [w]take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would enter and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the [x]custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not go in to the king again, unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, (AF)the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what (AG)Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, [y]advised. And Esther was finding favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

Esther Becomes Queen

17 The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that (AH)he set the royal turban on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18 Then (AI)the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and his servants; he also made a holiday for the provinces and gave gifts (AJ)in proportion to the king’s bounty.

19 (AK)Now when the virgins were gathered together for the second time, then Mordecai (AL)was sitting at the king’s gate. 20 (AM)Esther still had not revealed her relatives or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her; for Esther did [z]what Mordecai told her just as she had (AN)when under his care.

Mordecai Saves the King

21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, (AO)Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s officials from those who guarded the door, became angry and sought to [aa]attack King Ahasuerus. 22 But the [ab]plot became known to Mordecai and (AP)he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 Then when the plot was investigated and found to be so, they were both hanged on a wooden gallows; and it was written in (AQ)the Book of the Chronicles in the king’s presence.

Haman’s Plot against the Jews

3 After these events King Ahasuerus (AR)honored Haman, the son of Hammedatha (AS)the Agagite, and (AT)promoted him and [ac]established his authority over all the officials who were with him. 2 All the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid [ad]homage to Haman; for so the king had commanded regarding him. But (AU)Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid [ae]homage. 3 Then the king’s servants who were at (AV)the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “(AW)Why are you violating the king’s command?” 4 Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s reason would [af]stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5 When Haman saw that (AX)Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid [ag]homage to him, Haman was filled with rage. 6 But he [ah]considered it beneath his dignity to [ai]kill Mordecai alone, for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; so Haman (AY)sought to annihilate all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were found throughout the kingdom of Ahasuerus.

7 In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, [aj]Pur, that is the lot, was (AZ)cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, [ak]until the twelfth month, that is (BA)the month Adar. 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; (BB)their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not [al]comply with the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain. 9 If it is pleasing to the king, let it be [am]decreed that they be eliminated, and I will pay [an]ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry out the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” 10 Then (BC)the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha (BD)the Agagite, (BE)the enemy of the Jews. 11 And the king said to Haman, “The silver is [ao]yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

12 (BF)Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to (BG)the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the officials of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written (BH)in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by (BI)couriers to all the king’s provinces (BJ)to annihilate, kill, and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, (BK)in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to (BL)seize their possessions as plunder. 14 (BM)A copy of the edict to be [ap]issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they would be ready for this day. 15 The couriers went out, speeded by the king’s [aq]order while the decree was [ar]issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, (BN)the city of Susa was agitated.

Esther Learns of Haman’s Plot

4 When Mordecai learned of (BO)everything that had been done, [as]he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly. 2 And he came as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 In each and every province where the command and decree of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with (BP)fasting, weeping, and mourning rites; and many had sackcloth and ashes spread out as a bed.

4 Then Esther’s attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her, and the queen was seized by great fear. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he would remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathach from the king’s eunuchs, whom [at]the king had appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this mourning was and why it was happening. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square, in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, and (BQ)the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the elimination of the Jews. 8 He also gave him (BR)a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their annihilation, so that he might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and plead with him for her people.

9 So Hathach came back and reported Mordecai’s words to Esther. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who (BS)comes to the king in the inner courtyard, who is not summoned, (BT)he has only one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out (BU)to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.” 12 And they reported Esther’s words to Mordecai.

13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and (BV)rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Esther Plans to Intercede

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; (BW)do not eat or drink for (BX)three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.

Esther Plans a Banquet

5 Now it came about (BY)on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood (BZ)in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace in front of the king’s [au]rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the [av]throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the courtyard, (CA)she obtained favor in his sight; and (CB)the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? (CC)Up to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.” 4 Esther said, “If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

5 Then the king said, “(CD)Bring Haman quickly so that we may do [aw]as Esther desires.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared. 6 [ax]As they drank their wine at the banquet, (CE)the king said to Esther, “(CF)What is your request, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your wish? Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 7 So Esther replied, “My request and my wish is: 8 (CG)if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request and do [ay]what I wish, may the king and Haman come to (CH)the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do [az]as the king says.”

Haman’s Pride

9 Then Haman went out that day joyful and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai (CI)at the king’s gate and (CJ)that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai. 10 Haman controlled himself, however, and went to his house. But he [ba]sent for his friends and his wife (CK)Zeresh. 11 Then Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and his (CL)many sons, and every occasion on which the king had honored him and how he had [bb](CM)promoted him above the officials and servants of the king. 12 Haman also said, “Even Esther the queen let no one except me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and (CN)tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13 Yet all of this [bc]does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at (CO)the king’s gate.” 14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “(CP)Have a wooden gallows [bd]fifty cubits high made, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And the [be]advice pleased Haman, so he had the wooden gallows made.

The King Plans to Honor Mordecai

6 During that night [bf]the king (CQ)could not sleep, so he gave an order to bring (CR)the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written what (CS)Mordecai had reported about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to [bg]attack King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” 4 So the king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just (CT)entered the outer courtyard of the king’s palace in order to speak to the king about (CU)hanging Mordecai on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for him. 5 So the king’s servants said to him, “Behold, Haman is standing in the courtyard.” And the king said, “Have him come in.” 6 Haman then came in and the king said to him, “What is to be done for the man (CV)whom the king desires to honor?” And Haman said [bh]to himself, “Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?” 7 Therefore Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king desires to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and (CW)the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head (CX)a royal turban has been placed; 9 then order them to hand the robe and the horse over to one of the king’s noble officials, and have them dress the man whom the king desires to honor, and lead him on horseback through the city square, (CY)and proclaim before him, ‘So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.’”

Haman Must Honor Mordecai

10 Then the king said to Haman, “Quickly, take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fail to do anything of all that you have said.” 11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, and dressed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “So it shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”

12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, while Haman hurried home, mourning, (CZ)with his head covered. 13 And Haman informed (DA)Zeresh his wife and all his friends of everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is [bi]of Jewish origin, you will not prevail over him, but will certainly fall before him.”

14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and quickly (DB)brought Haman to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

Esther’s Plea

7 Now the king and Haman came to drink wine with Esther the queen. 2 And the king said to Esther on the second day also [bj]as they drank their wine at the banquet, “(DC)What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your wish? (DD)Up to half of the kingdom it shall be done.” 3 Then Queen Esther replied, “(DE)If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my request, and my people as my wish; 4 for (DF)we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, (DG)killed, and eliminated. Now if we had only been sold as slaves, men and women, I would have kept silent, because the distress would not be sufficient reason to burden the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus [bk]asked Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, [bl]who would presume to do such a thing?” 6 And Esther said, “(DH)A foe and an enemy is this wicked Haman!” Then Haman became terrified before the king and queen.

Haman Is Hanged

7 The king then got up (DI)in his anger from [bm]drinking wine and went into (DJ)the palace garden; but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm had been determined against him by the king. 8 Now when the king returned from the palace garden into the [bn]place where they had been drinking wine, Haman was falling on (DK)the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he even assault the queen with me in the house?” As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who stood before the king, said, “Indeed, behold, (DL)the wooden gallows standing at Haman’s house [bo]fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai (DM)who spoke good in behalf of the king!” And the king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 (DN)So they hanged Haman on the wooden gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai, (DO)and the king’s anger subsided.

Mordecai Promoted

8 On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, (DP)the enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai came before the king, because Esther had disclosed (DQ)what he was to her. 2 Then (DR)the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken away from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

3 Then Esther spoke again [bp]to the king, fell at his feet, wept, and pleaded for his compassion to avert the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite and his plot which he had devised against the Jews. 4 And (DS)the king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther got up and stood before the king. 5 Then she said, “(DT)If it pleases the king and if I have found favor before him, and the matter seems proper to the king and I am pleasing in his sight, let it be written to revoke the (DU)letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to eliminate the Jews who are in all the king’s provinces. 6 For (DV)how can I endure to see the disaster which will happen to my people, and how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” 7 So King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Behold, (DW)I have given the house of Haman to Esther, and they have hanged him on the wooden gallows because he had reached out with his hand against the Jews.

The King’s Decree Avenges the Jews

8 Now you write to the Jews [bq]as you see fit, in the king’s name, and (DX)seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king’s signet ring (DY)may not be revoked.”

9 (DZ)So the king’s scribes were summoned at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third [br]day; and it was written in accordance with everything that Mordecai commanded the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the provinces which extended (EA)from India to [bs]Cush, 127 provinces, to (EB)every province according to its script, and to every people according to their language, as well as to the Jews according to their script and their language. 10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on (EC)horses, riding on royal relay horses, offspring of racing mares. 11 [bt]In the letters the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right (ED)to assemble and to defend their lives, (EE)to destroy, kill, and eliminate the entire army of any people or province which was going to attack them, including children and women, and (EF)to plunder their spoils, 12 on (EG)one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar). 13 (EH)A copy of the edict to be [bu]issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be ready for this day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14 The couriers, hurrying and speeded by the king’s command, left, riding on the royal relay horses; and the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa.

15 Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king (EI)in a royal robe of violet and white, with a large crown of gold and (EJ)a garment of fine linen and purple; and (EK)the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. 16 For the Jews there was (EL)light, joy, jubilation, and honor. 17 In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king’s commandment and his decree arrived, there was joy and jubilation for the Jews, a feast and a [bv](EM)holiday. And (EN)many among the peoples of the land [bw]became Jews, because the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

9 Now (EO)in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on (EP)the thirteenth [bx]day, (EQ)when the king’s command and edict were to be put into effect, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it turned out to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained mastery over those who hated them. 2 (ER)The Jews assembled in their cities throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus to [by]attack those who sought [bz]to harm them; and no one could stand against them, (ES)because the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples. 3 Even all the officials of the provinces, (ET)the satraps, the governors, and those who were doing the king’s business were supporting the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and the news about him spread throughout the provinces; for the man Mordecai (EU)became greater and greater. 5 So (EV)the Jews struck all their enemies with [ca]the sword, killing and destroying; and they did as they pleased to those who hated them. 6 At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and eliminated five hundred men, 7 and they killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, 10 (EW)the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy; but (EX)they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

11 On that day the number of those who were killed at the citadel in Susa [cb]was reported to the king. 12 And the king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and eliminated five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman at the citadel in Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! (EY)Now what is your request? It shall also be granted you. And what is your further wish? It shall also be done.” 13 Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, (EZ)let tomorrow also be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do according to the edict of today; and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the wooden gallows.” 14 So the king commanded that it was to be done so; and an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman’s ten sons were hanged. 15 The Jews who were in Susa assembled also on the fourteenth day of the month Adar and killed (FA)three hundred men in Susa, but (FB)they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

16 Now (FC)the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces (FD)assembled, to defend their lives and [cc]rid themselves of their enemies, and to kill seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17 This was done on (FE)the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and (FF)on the fourteenth [cd]day they rested and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

18 But the Jews who were in Susa (FG)assembled on the thirteenth and (FH)the fourteenth [ce]of the same month, and they rested on the fifteenth [cf]day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing. 19 Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in (FI)the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a [cg](FJ)holiday for rejoicing and feasting and (FK)sending portions of food to one another.

The Feast of Purim Instituted

20 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day [ch]of the same month, annually, 22 because on those days the Jews [ci]rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was (FL)turned for them from grief into joy, and from mourning into a [cj]holiday; that they were to make them days of feasting and rejoicing, and (FM)sending portions of food to one another, and gifts to the poor.

23 So the Jews undertook what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the adversary of all the Jews, had schemed against the Jews to eliminate them, and (FN)had cast Pur, that is the lot, to disturb them and eliminate them. 25 But (FO)when it came [ck]to the king’s attention, he commanded by letter (FP)that his wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews (FQ)was to return on his own head, and that he and his sons were to be hanged on the wooden gallows. 26 Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of [cl]Pur. [cm]And (FR)because of the instructions in this letter, both what they had seen in this regard and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established and [cn]made a custom for themselves, their [co]descendants, and for (FS)all those who allied themselves with them, so that [cp]they would not fail (FT)to celebrate these two days according to their [cq]regulation and according to their appointed time annually. 28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and these days of Purim were not to [cr]be neglected by the Jews, or their memory [cs]fade from their [ct]descendants.

29 Then Queen Esther, (FU)daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm (FV)this second letter about Purim. 30 He sent letters to all the Jews, (FW)to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, namely, words of peace and truth, 31 to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established for themselves and for their [cu]descendants, with [cv]instructions (FX)for their times of fasting and their mourning. 32 The command of Esther established these [cw]customs for (FY)Purim, and it was written in the book.

Mordecai’s Greatness

10 Now King Ahasuerus imposed a tax on the land and the (FZ)coastlands of the sea. 2 And every accomplishment of his authority and power, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai (GA)with which the king honored him, are they not written in (GB)the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was (GC)second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, (GD)one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his entire [cx]nation.

Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:1 Or Ethiopia
  2. Esther 1:4 Lit When
  3. Esther 1:7 Lit hand
  4. Esther 1:9 Lit royal house
  5. Esther 1:12 Lit by the hand of the
  6. Esther 1:14 Lit saw the face of the king
  7. Esther 1:15 Lit do
  8. Esther 1:15 Lit by the hand of the
  9. Esther 1:17 Lit go forth
  10. Esther 1:17 Lit said to bring
  11. Esther 1:19 Lit word go forth from
  12. Esther 1:19 Lit pass by
  13. Esther 1:19 Lit her neighbor
  14. Esther 1:20 Lit for great is it
  15. Esther 1:21 Lit according to the word of
  16. Esther 2:3 Lit gather
  17. Esther 2:4 Lit word
  18. Esther 2:7 Lit good of appearance
  19. Esther 2:8 Lit hand
  20. Esther 2:8 Lit house
  21. Esther 2:9 Lit portions
  22. Esther 2:13 Lit said
  23. Esther 2:13 Lit come
  24. Esther 2:14 Lit hand
  25. Esther 2:15 Lit said
  26. Esther 2:20 Lit the command of Mordecai
  27. Esther 2:21 Or kill; lit put out a hand against
  28. Esther 2:22 Lit matter, so also v 23
  29. Esther 3:1 Lit set his seat
  30. Esther 3:2 I.e., great respect and honor to a superior
  31. Esther 3:2 I.e., great respect and honor to a superior
  32. Esther 3:4 I.e., as valid
  33. Esther 3:5 I.e., great respect and honor to a superior
  34. Esther 3:6 Lit despised in his eyes
  35. Esther 3:6 Lit send a hand against
  36. Esther 3:7 Lit he cast Pur...before
  37. Esther 3:7 LXX and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of
  38. Esther 3:8 Lit do the
  39. Esther 3:9 Lit written
  40. Esther 3:9 About 375 tons or 340 metric tons
  41. Esther 3:11 Lit given to you
  42. Esther 3:14 Lit given
  43. Esther 3:15 Lit word
  44. Esther 3:15 Lit given
  45. Esther 4:1 Lit Mordecai
  46. Esther 4:5 Lit he
  47. Esther 5:1 Lit house
  48. Esther 5:1 Lit royal house
  49. Esther 5:5 Lit the word of Esther
  50. Esther 5:6 Lit At the banquet of wine
  51. Esther 5:8 Lit my wish
  52. Esther 5:8 Lit according to the word of the king
  53. Esther 5:10 Lit sent and brought
  54. Esther 5:11 Lit lifted
  55. Esther 5:13 Lit is not suitable to me
  56. Esther 5:14 About 75 ft. or 23 m
  57. Esther 5:14 Lit word
  58. Esther 6:1 Lit the king’s sleep fled
  59. Esther 6:2 Or kill; lit put out a hand against
  60. Esther 6:6 Lit in his heart
  61. Esther 6:13 Lit from the seed of the Jews
  62. Esther 7:2 Lit at the banquet of wine
  63. Esther 7:5 Lit said and said to
  64. Esther 7:5 Lit whose heart has filled him
  65. Esther 7:7 Lit the banquet of wine
  66. Esther 7:8 Lit house of the banquet of wine
  67. Esther 7:9 About 75 ft. or 23 m
  68. Esther 8:3 Lit before
  69. Esther 8:8 Lit according to the good in your eyes
  70. Esther 8:9 Lit in it
  71. Esther 8:9 Or Ethiopia
  72. Esther 8:11 Lit Which the king
  73. Esther 8:13 Lit given
  74. Esther 8:17 Lit good day
  75. Esther 8:17 Or posed as Jews
  76. Esther 9:1 Lit day in it
  77. Esther 9:2 Lit put out a hand against
  78. Esther 9:2 Lit their harm
  79. Esther 9:5 Lit the stroke of the
  80. Esther 9:11 Lit came before
  81. Esther 9:16 Lit have rest from
  82. Esther 9:17 Lit in it
  83. Esther 9:18 Lit in it
  84. Esther 9:18 Lit in it
  85. Esther 9:19 Lit rejoicing and feasting and a good day and sending
  86. Esther 9:21 Lit in it
  87. Esther 9:22 Lit had rest from
  88. Esther 9:22 Lit good day
  89. Esther 9:25 Lit before the king, he
  90. Esther 9:26 Akkadian for lot
  91. Esther 9:26 Lit Therefore because of all the words
  92. Esther 9:27 Lit received
  93. Esther 9:27 Lit seed
  94. Esther 9:27 Lit it would not pass away
  95. Esther 9:27 Lit writing
  96. Esther 9:28 Lit pass from the midst of
  97. Esther 9:28 Lit end
  98. Esther 9:28 Lit seed
  99. Esther 9:31 Lit seed
  100. Esther 9:31 Lit words
  101. Esther 9:32 Lit words
  102. Esther 10:3 Lit seed
Listen to Esther 1-10
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Esther 1-10
New International Version

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a](A) the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces(B) stretching from India to Cush[b]:(C) 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa,(D) 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet(E) for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days,(F) in the enclosed garden(G) of the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches(H) of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality.(I) 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet(J) for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits(K) from wine,(L) he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona,(M) Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— 11 to bring(N) before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty(O) to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.(P)

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times(Q) 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles(R) of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.(S)

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king,(T) let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed,(U) that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language,(V) proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

Esther Made Queen

2 Later when King Xerxes’ fury had subsided,(W) he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. 2 Then the king’s personal attendants proposed, “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. 3 Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.

5 Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish,(X) 6 who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin[c](Y) king of Judah.(Z) 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther,(AA) had a lovely figure(AB) and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

8 When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa(AC) and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. 9 She pleased him and won his favor.(AD) Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food.(AE) He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.

10 Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.(AF) 11 Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

12 Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes(AG) and cosmetics. 13 And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. 14 In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines.(AH) She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.(AI)

15 When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail(AJ)) to go to the king,(AK) she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor(AL) of everyone who saw her. 16 She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17 Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen(AM) instead of Vashti. 18 And the king gave a great banquet,(AN) Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials.(AO) He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality.(AP)

Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy

19 When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.(AQ) 20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.(AR)

21 During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana[d] and Teresh, two of the king’s officers(AS) who guarded the doorway, became angry(AT) and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 22 But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. 23 And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled(AU) on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals(AV) in the presence of the king.(AW)

Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews

3 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite,(AX) elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. 2 All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

3 Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?”(AY) 4 Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply.(AZ) Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.(BA) 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way(BB) to destroy(BC) all Mordecai’s people, the Jews,(BD) throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur(BE) (that is, the lot(BF)) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on[e] the twelfth month, the month of Adar.(BG)

8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs(BH) are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey(BI) the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.(BJ) 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents[f] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”(BK)

10 So the king took his signet ring(BL) from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”

12 Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language(BM) of each people all Haman’s orders to the king’s satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed(BN) with his own ring. 13 Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews(BO)—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,(BP) and to plunder(BQ) their goods. 14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day.(BR)

15 The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.(BS) The king and Haman sat down to drink,(BT) but the city of Susa was bewildered.(BU)

Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help

4 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes,(BV) put on sackcloth and ashes,(BW) and went out into the city, wailing(BX) loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate,(BY) because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

4 When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

6 So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.(BZ) 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned(CA) the king has but one law:(CB) that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter(CC) to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent(CD) at this time, relief(CE) and deliverance(CF) for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”(CG)

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast(CH) for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”(CI)

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Esther’s Request to the King

5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes(CJ) and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s(CK) hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.(CL)

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(CM) it will be given you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine,(CN) the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(CO) it will be granted.”(CP)

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor(CQ) and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet(CR) I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage(CS) against Mordecai.(CT) 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh,(CU) his wife, 11 Haman boasted(CV) to them about his vast wealth, his many sons,(CW) and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person(CX) Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.(CY)”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[g](CZ) and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled(DA) on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Mordecai Honored

6 That night the king could not sleep;(DB) so he ordered the book of the chronicles,(DC) the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.(DD)

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,”(DE) his attendants answered.

4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe(DF) the king has worn and a horse(DG) the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!(DH)’”

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got(DI) the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered(DJ) in grief, 13 and told Zeresh(DK) his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall(DL) has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!”(DM) 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet(DN) Esther had prepared.

Haman Impaled

7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet,(DO) 2 and as they were drinking wine(DP) on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom,(DQ) it will be granted.(DR)”

3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor(DS) with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated.(DT) If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.[h]”

5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage,(DU) left his wine and went out into the palace garden.(DV) But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate,(DW) stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch(DX) where Esther was reclining.(DY)

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”(DZ)

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.(EA) 9 Then Harbona,(EB) one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits[i](EC) stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!”(ED) 10 So they impaled(EE) Haman(EF) on the pole(EG) he had set up for Mordecai.(EH) Then the king’s fury subsided.(EI)

The King’s Edict in Behalf of the Jews

8 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman,(EJ) the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring,(EK) which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.(EL)

3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite,(EM) which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter(EN) to Esther and she arose and stood before him.

5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor(EO) and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”(EP)

7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled(EQ) him on the pole he set up. 8 Now write another decree(ER) in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal(ES) it with the king’s signet ring(ET)—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”(EU)

9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.[j](EV) These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.(EW) 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children,[k] and to plunder(EX) the property of their enemies. 12 The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.(EY) 13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day(EZ) to avenge themselves on their enemies.

14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.(FA)

The Triumph of the Jews

15 When Mordecai(FB) left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold(FC) and a purple robe of fine linen.(FD) And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.(FE) 16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy,(FF) gladness and honor.(FG) 17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy(FH) and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear(FI) of the Jews had seized them.(FJ)

9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,(FK) the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand(FL) over those who hated them.(FM) 2 The Jews assembled in their cities(FN) in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them,(FO) because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews,(FP) because fear of Mordecai had seized them.(FQ) 4 Mordecai(FR) was prominent(FS) in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.(FT)

5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them,(FU) and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons(FV) of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.(FW) But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.(FX)

11 The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day. 12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.”(FY)

13 “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons(FZ) be impaled(GA) on poles.”

14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaled(GB) the ten sons of Haman. 15 The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.(GC)

16 Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief(GD) from their enemies.(GE) They killed seventy-five thousand of them(GF) but did not lay their hands on the plunder.(GG) 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting(GH) and joy.

18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

19 That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar(GI) as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.(GJ)

Purim Established

20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief(GK) from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.(GL) He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food(GM) to one another and gifts to the poor.(GN)

23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite,(GO) the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur(GP) (that is, the lot(GQ)) for their ruin and destruction.(GR) 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[l] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head,(GS) and that he and his sons should be impaled(GT) on poles.(GU) 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.(GV)) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail,(GW) along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces(GX) of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting(GY) and lamentation.(GZ) 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.

The Greatness of Mordecai

10 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores.(HA) 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai,(HB) whom the king had promoted,(HC) are they not written in the book of the annals(HD) of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second(HE) in rank(HF) to King Xerxes,(HG) preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.(HH)

Footnotes

  1. Esther 1:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus; here and throughout Esther
  2. Esther 1:1 That is, the upper Nile region
  3. Esther 2:6 Hebrew Jeconiah, a variant of Jehoiachin
  4. Esther 2:21 Hebrew Bigthan, a variant of Bigthana
  5. Esther 3:7 Septuagint; Hebrew does not have And the lot fell on.
  6. Esther 3:9 That is, about 375 tons or about 340 metric tons
  7. Esther 5:14 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters
  8. Esther 7:4 Or quiet, but the compensation our adversary offers cannot be compared with the loss the king would suffer
  9. Esther 7:9 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters
  10. Esther 8:9 That is, the upper Nile region
  11. Esther 8:11 Or province, together with their women and children, who might attack them;
  12. Esther 9:25 Or when Esther came before the king
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