¹⁹ If it pleases the king, let a royal ^[a]edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so ^(A)that it cannot ^[b]be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to ^[c]another who is more worthy than she.

The King’s Decree Avenges the Jews

⁸ Now you write to the Jews ^[a]as you see fit, in the king’s name, and ^(A)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 ^(B)may not be revoked.”

¹² Then they approached and ^(A)spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the ^(B)law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[a]may not be revoked.”

¹⁵ Then these men came ^[a]by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a ^(A)law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”