¹² The royal scribes were summoned^(A) on the thirteenth day of the first month, and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded. It was intended for the royal satraps,^(B) the governors of each of the provinces, and the officials of each ethnic group and written for each province in its own script and to each ethnic group in its own language.^(C) It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus^(D) and sealed with the royal signet ring.^{(E) 13} Letters were sent by couriers^(F) to each of the royal provinces telling the officials to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jewish people—young and old, women and children—and plunder their possessions on a single day,^(G) the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.^[a]

¹⁴ A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples so that they might get ready for that day. ¹⁵ The couriers left, spurred on by royal command, and the law was issued in the fortress of Susa.^(H) The king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Susa was in confusion.^(I)