^11 [a]In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right ^(A)to assemble and to defend their lives, ^(B)to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and ^(C)to plunder their spoil,

^2 (A)The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, ^(B)for the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples.