## Chapter 1

1

The Banquets of the King

Now it took 1961 place 1961 in the days 3117 of Ahasuerus 325, the Ahasuerus 325 who reigned 4427 from India 1912 to Ethiopia 3568 over 127 provinces 4082,
2 in those 1992 days 3117 as King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 sat 3427 on his royal 4438 throne 3678 which 834 {was} at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800,
3 in the third 7969 year 8141 of his reign 4427 he gave 6213 a banquet 4960 for all 3605 his princes 8269 and attendants 5650, the army 2428 {officers} of Persia 6539 and Media 4074, the nobles 6579 and the princes 8269 of his provinces 4082 being in his presence 6440.
4 And he displayed 7200 the riches 6239 of his royal 4438 glory 3519 and the splendor 3366 of his great 1420 majesty 1420 for many 7227 days 3117, 180 days 3117.
5 ¶ When these 428 days 3117 were completed 4390, the king 4428 gave 6213 a banquet 4960 lasting seven 7651 days 3117 for all 3605 the people 5971 who were present 4672 at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800, from the greatest 1419 to the least 6996, in the court 2691 of the garden 1593 of the king's 4428 palace 1055.
6 {There were hangings of} fine 3768 white 2353 and violet 8504 linen 3768 held 270 by cords 2256 of fine 948 purple 713 linen 948 on silver 3701 rings 1551 and marble 8337 columns 5982, {and} couches 4296 of gold 2091 and silver 3701 on a mosaic 7531 pavement 7531 of porphyry 923, marble 8337, mother-of-pearl 1858 and precious 5508 stones 5508.
7 Drinks 8248 were served 8248 in golden 2091 vessels 3627 of various 8132 kinds 3627, and the royal 4438 wine 3196 was plentiful 7227 according to the king's 4428 bounty 3027.
8 The drinking 8360 was {done} according to the law 1881, there 369 was no 369 compulsion 597, for so 3651 the king 4428 had given 3245 orders 3245 to each 3605 official 7227 of his household 1004 that he should do 6213 according to the desires 7522 of each 376 person 376.
9 Queen 4436 Vashti 2060 also 1571 gave 6213 a banquet 4960 for the women 802 in the palace 1004 which 834 belonged to King 4428 Ahasuerus 325.
10

Queen Vashti's Refusal

¶ On the seventh 7637 day 3117, when the heart 3820 of the king 4428 was merry 2895 with wine 3196, he commanded 559 Mehuman 4104, Biztha 968, Harbona 2726, Bigtha 903, Abagtha 5, Zethar 2242 and Carkas 3752, the seven 7651 eunuchs 5631 who served 8334 in the presence 6440 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325,
11 to bring 935 Queen 4436 Vashti 2060 before 6440 the king 4428 with {her} royal 4438 crown 3804 in order to display 7200 her beauty 3308 to the people 5971 and the princes 8269, for she was beautiful 2896.
12 But Queen 4436 Vashti 2060 refused 3985 to come 935 at the king's 4428 command 1697 delivered 3027 by the eunuchs 5631. Then the king 4428 became 7107 very 3966 angry 7107 and his wrath 2534 burned 1197 within him.
13 ¶ Then the king 4428 said 559 to the wise 2450 men 2450 who understood 3045 the times 6256--for it was the custom 1697 of the king 4428 so 3651 {to speak} before 6440 all 3605 who knew 3045 law 1881 and justice 1779
14 and were close 7138 to him: Carshena 3771, Shethar 8369, Admatha 133, Tarshish 8659, Meres 4825, Marsena 4826 and Memucan 4462, the seven 7651 princes 8269 of Persia 6539 and Media 4074 who had access 7200 to the king's 4428 presence 6440 and sat 3427 in the first 7223 place in the kingdom 4438--
15 "According to law 1881, what 4100 is to be done 6213 with Queen 4436 Vashti 2060, because she did not obey 6213 the command 3982 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 {delivered} by the eunuchs 5631?"
16 In the presence 6440 of the king 4428 and the princes 8269, Memucan 4462 said 559, "Queen 4436 Vashti 2060 has wronged 5753 not only 905 the king 4428 but {also} all 3605 the princes 8269 and all 3605 the peoples 5971 who 834 are in all 3605 the provinces 4082 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325.
17 "For the queen's 4436 conduct 1697 will become 3318 known 3318 to all 3605 the women 802 causing them to look 5869 with contempt 959 on their husbands 1167 by saying 559, 'King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 commanded 559 Queen 4436 Vashti 2060 to be brought 935 in to his presence 6440, but she did not come 935.'
18 "This 2088 day 3117 the ladies 8282 of Persia 6539 and Media 4074 who 834 have heard 8085 of the queen's 4436 conduct 1697 will speak 559 in {the same way} to all 3605 the king's 4428 princes 8269, and there will be plenty 1767 of contempt 963 and anger 7110.
19 "If 518 it pleases 2895 the king 4428, let a royal 4438 edict 1697 be issued 3318 by him and let it be written 3789 in the laws 1881 of Persia 6539 and Media 4074 so that it cannot 3808 be repealed 5674, that Vashti 2060 may no 3808 longer come 935 into the presence 6440 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, and let the king 4428 give 5414 her royal 4438 position 4438 to another 7468 who is more 4480 worthy 2896 than 4480 she.
20 "When the king's 4428 edict 6599 which 834 he will make 6213 is heard 8085 throughout all 3605 his kingdom 4438, great 7227 as it is, then all 3605 women 802 will give 5414 honor 3366 to their husbands 1167, great 1419 and small 6996."
21 ¶ {This} word 1697 pleased the king 4428 and the princes 8269, and the king 4428 did 6213 as Memucan 4462 proposed 1697.
22 So he sent 7971 letters 5612 to all 3605 the king's 4428 provinces 4082, to each 4082 province 4082 according to its script 3791 and to every 5971 people 5971 according to their language 3956, that every 3605 man 376 should be the master 8323 in his own house 1004 and the one who speaks 1696 in the language 3956 of his own people 5971.

## Chapter 2

1

Vashti's Successor Sought

After 310 these 428 things 1697 when the anger 2534 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 had subsided 7918, he remembered 2142 Vashti 2060 and what 834 she had done 6213 and what 834 had been decreed 1504 against 5921 her.
2 Then the king's 4428 attendants 5288, who served 8334 him, said 559, "Let beautiful 2896 young 5291 virgins 1330 be sought 1245 for the king 4428.
3 "Let the king 4428 appoint 6485 overseers 6496 in all 3605 the provinces 4082 of his kingdom 4438 that they may gather 6908 every 3605 beautiful 2896 young 5291 virgin 1330 to the citadel 1002 of Susa 7800, to the harem, into the custody 3027 of Hegai 1896, the king's 4428 eunuch 5631, who is in charge 8104 of the women 802; and let their cosmetics 8562 be given 5414 {them.}
4 "Then let the young 5291 lady 5291 who 834 pleases the king 4428 be queen 4427 in place 8478 of Vashti 2060." And the matter 1697 pleased the king 4428, and he did 6213 accordingly 3651.
5 ¶ {Now} there was at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800 a Jew 3064 whose name 8034 was Mordecai 4782, the son 1121 of Jair 2971, the son 1121 of Shimei 8096, the son 1121 of Kish 7027, a Benjamite,
6 who 834 had been taken 1540 into exile 1540 from Jerusalem 3389 with the captives 1473 who 834 had been exiled 1540 with Jeconiah 3204 king 4428 of Judah 3063, whom 834 Nebuchadnezzar 5019 the king 4428 of Babylon 894 had exiled 1540.
7 He was bringing 539 up Hadassah 1919, that is Esther 635, his uncle's 1730 daughter 1323, for she had 369 no 369 father 1 or 369 mother 517. Now the young 5291 lady 5291 was beautiful 3303 of form 8389 and face 4758, and when her father 1 and her mother 517 died 4194, Mordecai 4782 took 3947 her as his own daughter 1323.
8

Esther Finds Favor

¶ So it came 1961 about when the command 1697 and decree 1881 of the king 4428 were heard 8085 and many 7227 young 5291 ladies 5291 were gathered 6908 to the citadel 1002 of Susa 7800 into the custody 3027 of Hegai 1896, that Esther 635 was taken 3947 to the king's 4428 palace 1004 into the custody 3027 of Hegai 1896, who was in charge 8104 of the women 802.
9 Now the young 5291 lady 5291 pleased him and found 5375 favor 2617 with him. So he quickly 926 provided 5414 her with her cosmetics 8562 and food 4490, gave 5414 her seven 7651 choice 7200 maids 5291 from the king's 4428 palace 1004 and transferred 8132 her and her maids 5291 to the best 2896 place in the harem.
10 Esther 635 did not make 5046 known 5046 her people 5971 or her kindred 4138, for Mordecai 4782 had instructed 6680 her that she should not make 5046 {them} known 5046.
11 Every 3605 day 3117 Mordecai 4782 walked 1980 back 1980 and forth in front 6440 of the court 2691 of the harem to learn 3045 how 7965 Esther 635 was and how 4100 she fared 6213.
12 ¶ Now when the turn 8447 of each 5291 young 5291 lady 5291 came 5060 to go 935 in to King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, after 4480 the end 7093 of her twelve months 2320 under the regulations 1881 for the women 802--for the days 3117 of their beautification 4795 were completed 4390 as follows 3651: six 8337 months 2320 with oil 8081 of myrrh 4753 and six 8337 months 2320 with spices 1314 and the cosmetics 8562 for women 802--
13 the young 5291 lady 5291 would go 935 in to the king 4428 in this 2088 way 2088: anything 3605 that she desired 559 was given 5414 her to take 935 with her from the harem to the king's 4428 palace 1004.
14 In the evening 6153 she would go 935 in and in the morning 1242 she would return 7725 to the second 8145 harem, to the custody 3027 of Shaashgaz 8190, the king's 4428 eunuch 5631 who was in charge 8104 of the concubines 6370. She would not again 5750 go 935 in to the king 4428 unless the king 4428 delighted 2654 in her and she was summoned 7121 by name 8034.
15 ¶ Now when the turn 8447 of Esther 635, the daughter 1323 of Abihail 32 the uncle 1730 of Mordecai 4782 who 834 had taken 3947 her as his daughter 1323, came 5060 to go 935 in to the king 4428, she did not request 1245 anything 1697 except what 834 Hegai 1896, the king's 4428 eunuch 5631 who was in charge 8104 of the women 802, advised 559. And Esther 635 found 5375 favor 2580 in the eyes 5869 of all 3605 who saw 7200 her.
16 So Esther 635 was taken 3947 to King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 to his royal 4438 palace 1004 in the tenth 6224 month 2320 which 1931 is the month 2320 Tebeth 2887, in the seventh 7651 year 8141 of his reign 4438.
17

Esther Becomes Queen

¶ The king 4428 loved 157 Esther 635 more 4480 than 4480 all 3605 the women 802, and she found 5375 favor 2580 and kindness 2617 with him more 4480 than 4480 all 3605 the virgins 1330, so that he set 7760 the royal 4438 crown 3804 on her head 7218 and made 4427 her queen 4427 instead 8478 of Vashti 2060.
18 Then the king 4428 gave 6213 a great 1419 banquet 4960, Esther's 635 banquet 4960, for all 3605 his princes 8269 and his servants 5650; he also made 6213 a holiday 2010 for the provinces 4082 and gave 5414 gifts 4864 according to the king's 4428 bounty 3027.
19 ¶ When the virgins 1330 were gathered 6908 together the second 8145 time 8145, then Mordecai 4782 was sitting 3427 at the king's 4428 gate 8179.
20 Esther 635 had not yet made known 5046 her kindred 4138 or her people 5971, even 3512 as Mordecai 4782 had commanded 6680 her; for Esther 635 did 6213 what 3982 Mordecai 4782 told 5046 her as she had done 1961 when 3512 under his care 545.
21

Mordecai Saves the King

In those 1992 days 3117, while Mordecai 4782 was sitting 3427 at the king's 4428 gate 8179, Bigthan 904 and Teresh 8657, two 8147 of the king's 4428 officials 5631 from those who guarded 8104 the door 5592, became 7107 angry 7107 and sought 1245 to lay 7971 hands 3027 on King 4428 Ahasuerus 325.
22 But the plot 1697 became known 3045 to Mordecai 4782 and he told 5046 Queen 4436 Esther 635, and Esther 635 informed 559 the king 4428 in Mordecai's 4782 name 8034.
23 Now when the plot 1697 was investigated 1245 and found 4672 {to be so,} they were both 8147 hanged 8518 on a gallows 6086; and it was written 3789 in the Book 5612 of the Chronicles in the king's 4428 presence 6440.

## Chapter 3

1

Haman's Plot against the Jews

After 310 these 428 events 1697 King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 promoted 1431 Haman 2001, the son 1121 of Hammedatha 1992 the Agagite 91, and advanced 5375 him and established 7760 his authority 3678 over all 3605 the princes 8269 who 834 {were} with him.
2 All 3605 the king's 4428 servants 5650 who 834 were at the king's 4428 gate 8179 bowed 3766 down 3766 and paid 7812 homage 7812 to Haman 2001; for so 3651 the king 4428 had commanded 6680 concerning him. But Mordecai 4782 neither 3808 bowed 3766 down 3766 nor 3808 paid 7812 homage 7812.
3 Then the king's 4428 servants 5650 who 834 were at the king's 4428 gate 8179 said 559 to Mordecai 4782, "Why 4069 are you transgressing 5674 the king's 4428 command 4687?"
4 Now it was when they had spoken 559 daily 3117 to him and he would not listen 8085 to them, that they told 5046 Haman 2001 to see 7200 whether Mordecai's 4782 reason 1697 would stand 5975; for he had told 5046 them that he was a Jew 3064.
5 When Haman 2001 saw 7200 that Mordecai 4782 neither 369 bowed 3766 down 3766 nor 369 paid 7812 homage 7812 to him, Haman 2001 was filled 4390 with rage 2534.
6 But he disdained to lay 7971 hands 3027 on Mordecai 4782 alone 905, for they had told 5046 him {who} the people 5971 of Mordecai 4782 {were;} therefore Haman 2001 sought 1245 to destroy 8045 all 3605 the Jews 3064, the people 5971 of Mordecai 4782, who 834 {were} throughout the whole 3605 kingdom 4438 of Ahasuerus 325.
7 ¶ In the first 7223 month 2320, which 1931 is the month 2320 Nisan 5212, in the twelfth year 8141 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, Pur 6332, that is the lot 1486, was cast 5307 before 6440 Haman 2001 from day 3117 to day 3117 and from month 2320 {to month,} until the twelfth month 2320, that is the month 2320 Adar 143.
8 Then Haman 2001 said 559 to King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, "There 3426 is a certain 259 people 5971 scattered 6340 and dispersed 6504 among 996 the peoples 5971 in all 3605 the provinces 4082 of your kingdom 4438; their laws 1881 are different 8132 from {those} of all 3605 {other} people 5971 and they do not observe 6213 the king's 4428 laws 1881, so it is not in the king's 4428 interest 7737 to let them remain 5117.
9 "If 518 it is pleasing 2895 to the king 4428, let it be decreed 3789 that they be destroyed 6, and I will pay 8254 ten 6235 thousand 505 talents 3603 of silver 3701 into the hands 3027 of those who carry 6213 on the {king's} business 4399, to put 935 into the king's treasuries 1595."
10 Then the king 4428 took 5493 his signet 2885 ring 2885 from his hand 3027 and gave 5414 it to Haman 2001, the son 1121 of Hammedatha 1992 the Agagite 91, the enemy 6887 of the Jews 3064.
11 The king 4428 said 559 to Haman 2001, "The silver 3701 is yours 5414, and the people 5971 {also,} to do 6213 with them as you please."
12 ¶ Then the king's 4428 scribes 5613 were summoned 7121 on the thirteenth day 3117 of the first 7223 month 2320, and it was written 3789 just as Haman 2001 commanded 6680 to the king's 4428 satraps 323, to the governors 6346 who 834 were over 5921 each 4082 province 4082 and to the princes 8269 of each 5971 people 5971, each 4082 province 4082 according to its script 3791, each 5971 people 5971 according to its language 3956, being written 3789 in the name 8034 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 and sealed 2856 with the king's 4428 signet 2885 ring 2885.
13 Letters 5612 were sent 7971 by couriers 7323 to all 3605 the king's 4428 provinces 4082 to destroy 8045, to kill 2026 and to annihilate 6 all 3605 the Jews 3064, both 4480 young 5288 and old 2205, women 802 and children 2945, in one 259 day 3117, the thirteenth {day} of the twelfth month 2320, which 1931 is the month 2320 Adar 143, and to seize 962 their possessions 7998 as plunder 962.
14 A copy 6572 of the edict 3791 to be issued 5414 as law 1881 in every 3605 province 4082 was published 1540 to all 3605 the peoples 5971 so that they should be ready 6264 for this 2088 day 3117.
15 The couriers 7323 went 3318 out impelled 1765 by the king's 4428 command 1697 while the decree 1881 was issued 5414 at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800; and while the king 4428 and Haman 2001 sat 3427 down 3427 to drink 8354, the city 5892 of Susa 7800 was in confusion 943.

## Chapter 4

1

Esther Learns of Haman's Plot

When Mordecai 4782 learned 3045 all 3605 that had been done 6213, he tore 7167 his clothes 899, put 3847 on sackcloth 8242 and ashes 665, and went 3318 out into the midst 8432 of the city 5892 and wailed 2199 loudly 1419 and bitterly 4751.
2 He went 935 as far 5704 as the king's 4428 gate 8179, for no 369 one 369 was to enter 935 the king's 4428 gate 8179 clothed 3830 in sackcloth 8242.
3 In each 4082 and every 3605 province 4082 where the command 1697 and decree 1881 of the king 4428 came 5060, there was great 1419 mourning 60 among the Jews 3064, with fasting 6685, weeping 1065 and wailing 4553; and many 7227 lay 3331 on sackcloth 8242 and ashes 665.
4 ¶ Then Esther's 635 maidens 5291 and her eunuchs 5631 came 935 and told 5046 her, and the queen 4436 writhed 2342 in great 3966 anguish. And she sent 7971 garments 899 to clothe 3847 Mordecai 4782 that he might remove 5493 his sackcloth 8242 from him, but he did not accept 6901 {them.}
5 Then Esther 635 summoned 7121 Hathach 2047 from the king's 4428 eunuchs 5631, whom 834 the king had appointed 5975 to attend 6440 her, and ordered 6680 him {to go} to Mordecai 4782 to learn 3045 what 4100 this 2088 {was} and why 4100 it {was.}
6 So Hathach 2047 went 3318 out to Mordecai 4782 to the city 5892 square 7339 in front 6440 of the king's 4428 gate 8179.
7 Mordecai 4782 told 5046 him all 3605 that had happened 7136 to him, and the exact 6575 amount 6575 of money 3701 that Haman 2001 had promised 559 to pay 8254 to the king's 4428 treasuries 1595 for the destruction 6 of the Jews 3064.
8 He also gave 5414 him a copy 6572 of the text 3791 of the edict 1881 which 834 had been issued 5414 in Susa 7800 for their destruction 8045, that he might show 7200 Esther 635 and inform 5046 her, and to order 6680 her to go 935 in to the king 4428 to implore 2603 his favor 2603 and to plead 1245 with him for her people 5971.
9 ¶ Hathach 2047 came 935 back and related 5046 Mordecai's 4782 words 1697 to Esther 635.
10 Then Esther 635 spoke 559 to Hathach 2047 and ordered 6680 him {to reply} to Mordecai 4782:
11 "All 3605 the king's 4428 servants 5650 and the people 5971 of the king's 4428 provinces 4082 know 3045 that for any 3605 man 376 or woman 802 who 834 comes 935 to the king 4428 to the inner 6442 court 2691 who 834 is not summoned 7121, he has but one 259 law 1881, that he be put 4191 to death 4191, unless the king 4428 holds 3447 out to him the golden 2091 scepter 8275 so that he may live 2421. And I have not been summoned 7121 to come 935 to the king 4428 for these 2088 thirty 7970 days 3117."
12 They related 5046 Esther's 635 words 1697 to Mordecai 4782.
13 ¶ Then Mordecai 4782 told 559 {them} to reply 7725 to Esther 635, "Do not imagine 1819 that you in the king's 4428 palace 1004 can escape 4422 any more 4480 than 4480 all 3605 the Jews 3064.
14 "For if 518 you remain 2790 silent 2790 at this 384 time 6256, relief 7305 and deliverance 2020 will arise 5975 for the Jews 3064 from another 312 place 4725 and you and your father's 1 house 1004 will perish 6. And who 4310 knows 3045 whether 518 you have not attained 5060 royalty 4438 for such a time 6256 as this 384?"
15

Esther Plans to Intercede

Then Esther 635 told 559 {them} to reply 7725 to Mordecai 4782,
16 "Go 1980, assemble 3664 all 3605 the Jews 3064 who are found 4672 in Susa 7800, and fast 6684 for me; do not eat 398 or drink 8354 for three 7969 days 3117, night 3915 or day 3117. I and my maidens 5291 also 1571 will fast 6684 in the same 3651 way 3651. And thus 3651 I will go 935 in to the king 4428, which 834 is not according to the law 1881; and if 834 I perish 6, I perish 6."
17 So Mordecai 4782 went 5674 away 5674 and did 6213 just as Esther 635 had commanded 6680 him.

## Chapter 5

1

Esther Plans a Banquet

Now it came 1961 about on the third 7992 day 3117 that Esther 635 put 3847 on her royal 4438 robes 4438 and stood 5975 in the inner 6442 court 2691 of the king's 4428 palace 1004 in front 5227 of the king's 4428 rooms 1004, and the king 4428 was sitting 3427 on his royal 4438 throne 3678 in the throne 4438 room 1004, opposite 5227 the entrance 6607 to the palace 1004.
2 When the king 4428 saw 7200 Esther 635 the queen 4436 standing 5975 in the court 2691, she obtained 5375 favor 2580 in his sight 5869; and the king 4428 extended 3447 to Esther 635 the golden 2091 scepter 8275 which 834 {was} in his hand 3027. So Esther 635 came 7126 near 7126 and touched 5060 the top 7218 of the scepter 8275.
3 Then the king 4428 said 559 to her, "What 4100 is {troubling} you, Queen 4436 Esther 635? And what 4100 is your request 1246? Even 5704 to half 2677 of the kingdom 4438 it shall be given 5414 to you."
4 Esther 635 said 559, "If 518 it pleases 2895 the king 4428, may the king 4428 and Haman 2001 come 935 this day 3117 to the banquet 4960 that I have prepared 6213 for him."
5 ¶ Then the king 4428 said 559, "Bring 4116 Haman 2001 quickly 4116 that we may do 6213 as Esther 635 desires 1697." So the king 4428 and Haman 2001 came 935 to the banquet 4960 which 834 Esther 635 had prepared 6213.
6 As they drank 4960 their wine 3196 at the banquet 4960, the king 4428 said 559 to Esther 635, "What 4100 is your petition 7596, for it shall be granted 5414 to you. And what 4100 is your request 1246? Even 5704 to half 2677 of the kingdom 4438 it shall be done 6213."
7 So Esther 635 replied 6030, "My petition 7596 and my request 1246 is:
8 if 518 I have found 4672 favor 2580 in the sight 5869 of the king 4428, and if 518 it pleases 2895 the king 4428 to grant 5414 my petition 7596 and do 6213 what 1246 I request 1246, may the king 4428 and Haman 2001 come 935 to the banquet 4960 which 834 I will prepare 6213 for them, and tomorrow 4279 I will do 6213 as the king 4428 says 1697."
9

Haman's Pride

¶ Then Haman 2001 went 3318 out that day 3117 glad 8056 and pleased 2896 of heart 3820; but when Haman 2001 saw 7200 Mordecai 4782 in the king's 4428 gate 8179 and that he did not stand 6965 up or tremble 2111 before 4480 him, Haman 2001 was filled 4390 with anger 2534 against 5921 Mordecai 4782.
10 Haman 2001 controlled 662 himself, however, went 935 to his house 1004 and sent 7971 for his friends 157 and his wife 802 Zeresh 2238.
11 Then Haman 2001 recounted 5608 to them the glory 3519 of his riches 6239, and the number 7230 of his sons 1121, and every 3605 {instance} where 834 the king 4428 had magnified 1431 him and how 834 he had promoted 5375 him above 5921 the princes 8269 and servants 5650 of the king 4428.
12 Haman 2001 also 637 said 559, "Even 637 Esther 635 the queen 4436 let no 3808 one but me come 935 with the king 4428 to the banquet 4960 which 834 she had prepared 6213; and tomorrow 4279 also 1571 I am invited 7121 by her with the king 4428.
13 "Yet all 3605 of this 2088 does not satisfy 7737 me every 3605 time 6256 I see 7200 Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064 sitting 3427 at the king's 4428 gate 8179."
14 Then Zeresh 2238 his wife 802 and all 3605 his friends 157 said 559 to him, "Have a gallows 6086 fifty 2572 cubits 520 high 1364 made 6213 and in the morning 1242 ask 559 the king 4428 to have Mordecai 4782 hanged 8518 on it; then go 935 joyfully 8056 with the king 4428 to the banquet 4960." And the advice 1697 pleased 3190 Haman 2001, so he had the gallows 6086 made 6213.

## Chapter 6

1

The King Plans to Honor Mordecai

During that night 3915 the king 4428 could 5074 not sleep 8142 so he gave 559 an order 559 to bring 935 the book 5612 of records 2146, the chronicles, and they were read 7121 before 6440 the king 4428.
2 It was found 4672 written 3789 what 834 Mordecai 4782 had reported 5046 concerning 5921 Bigthana 904 and Teresh 8657, two 8147 of the king's 4428 eunuchs 5631 who were doorkeepers, that they had sought 1245 to lay 7971 hands 3027 on King 4428 Ahasuerus 325.
3 The king 4428 said 559, "What 4100 honor 3366 or dignity 1420 has been bestowed 6213 on Mordecai 4782 for this 2088?" Then the king's 4428 servants 5288 who attended 8334 him said 559, "Nothing has been done 6213 for him."
4 So the king 4428 said 559, "Who 4310 is in the court 2691?" Now Haman 2001 had just entered 935 the outer 2435 court 2691 of the king's 4428 palace 1004 in order to speak 559 to the king 4428 about hanging 8518 Mordecai 4782 on the gallows 6086 which 834 he had prepared 3559 for him.
5 The king's 4428 servants 5288 said 559 to him, "Behold 2009, Haman 2001 is standing 5975 in the court 2691." And the king 4428 said 559, "Let him come 935 in."
6 So Haman 2001 came 935 in and the king 4428 said 559 to him, "What 4100 is to be done 6213 for the man 376 whom 834 the king 4428 desires 2654 to honor 3366?" And Haman 2001 said 559 to himself 3820, "Whom 4310 would the king 4428 desire 2654 to honor 3366 more 3148 than 4480 me?"
7 Then Haman 2001 said 559 to the king 4428, "For the man 376 whom 834 the king 4428 desires 2654 to honor 3366,
8 let them bring 935 a royal 4438 robe 3830 which 834 the king 4428 has worn 3847, and the horse 5483 on which 834 the king 4428 has ridden 7392, and on whose 834 head 7218 a royal 4438 crown 3804 has been placed 5414;
9 and let the robe 3830 and the horse 5483 be handed 3027 over 5414 to one 376 of the king's 4428 most noble 6579 princes 8269 and let them array 3847 the man 376 whom 834 the king 4428 desires 2654 to honor 3366 and lead 7392 him on horseback 5483 through the city 5892 square 7339, and proclaim 7121 before 6440 him, 'Thus 3602 it shall be done 6213 to the man 376 whom 834 the king 4428 desires 2654 to honor 3366.'"
10

Haman Must Honor Mordecai

¶ Then the king 4428 said 559 to Haman 2001, "Take 3947 quickly 4116 the robes 3830 and the horse 5483 as you have said 1696, and do 6213 so 3651 for Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064, who is sitting 3427 at the king's 4428 gate 8179; do not fall 5307 short in anything 1697 of all 3605 that you have said 1696."
11 So Haman 2001 took 3947 the robe 3830 and the horse 5483, and arrayed 3847 Mordecai 4782, and led 7392 him {on horseback} through the city 5892 square 7339, and proclaimed 7121 before 6440 him, "Thus 3602 it shall be done 6213 to the man 376 whom 834 the king 4428 desires 2654 to honor 3366."
12 ¶ Then Mordecai 4782 returned 7725 to the king's 4428 gate 8179. But Haman 2001 hurried 1765 home 1004, mourning 57, with {his} head 7218 covered 2645.
13 Haman 2001 recounted 5608 to Zeresh 2238 his wife 802 and all 3605 his friends 157 everything 3605 that had happened 7136 to him. Then his wise 2450 men 2450 and Zeresh 2238 his wife 802 said 559 to him, "If 518 Mordecai 4782, before 6440 whom 834 you have begun 2490 to fall 5307, is of Jewish 3064 origin 2233, you will not overcome 3201 him, but will surely 5307 fall 5307 before 6440 him."
14 ¶ While they were still 5750 talking 1696 with him, the king's 4428 eunuchs 5631 arrived 5060 and hastily 926 brought 935 Haman 2001 to the banquet 4960 which 834 Esther 635 had prepared 6213.

## Chapter 7

1

Esther's Plea

Now the king 4428 and Haman 2001 came 935 to drink 8354 {wine} with Esther 635 the queen 4436.
2 And the king 4428 said 559 to Esther 635 on the second 8145 day 3117 also 1571 as they drank 4960 their wine 3196 at the banquet 4960, "What 4100 is your petition 7596, Queen 4436 Esther 635? It shall be granted 5414 you. And what 4100 is your request 1246? Even 5704 to half 2677 of the kingdom 4438 it shall be done 6213."
3 Then Queen 4436 Esther 635 replied 6030, "If 518 I have found 4672 favor 2580 in your sight 5869, O king 4428, and if 518 it pleases 2895 the king 4428, let my life 5315 be given 5414 me as my petition 7596, and my people 5971 as my request 1246;
4 for we have been sold 4376, I and my people 5971, to be destroyed 8045, to be killed 2026 and to be annihilated 6. Now if 432 we had only been sold 4376 as slaves, men and women 8198, I would have remained 2790 silent 2790, for the trouble 6862 would not be commensurate 7737 with the annoyance 5143 to the king 4428."
5 Then King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 asked 559 Queen 4436 Esther 635, "Who 4310 is he, and where 335 is he, who 834 would presume to do 6213 thus 3651?"
6 Esther 635 said 559, "A foe 6862 and an enemy 340 is this 2088 wicked 7451 Haman 2001!" Then Haman 2001 became terrified 1204 before the king 4428 and queen 4436.
7

Haman Is Hanged

The king 4428 arose 6965 in his anger 2534 from drinking 4960 wine 3196 {and went} into the palace 1055 garden 1593; but Haman 2001 stayed 5975 to beg 1245 for his life 5315 from Queen 4436 Esther 635, for he saw 7200 that harm 7463 had been determined 3615 against 413 him by the king 4428.
8 Now when the king 4428 returned 7725 from the palace 1055 garden 1593 into the place 1004 where 4960 they were drinking 4960 wine 3196, Haman 2001 was falling 5307 on the couch 4296 where Esther 635 was. Then the king 4428 said 559, "Will he even 1571 assault 3533 the queen 4436 with me in the house 1004?" As the word 1697 went 3318 out of the king's 4428 mouth 6310, they covered 2645 Haman's 2001 face 6440.
9 Then Harbonah 2726, one 259 of the eunuchs 5631 who {were} before 6440 the king 4428 said 559, "Behold 2009 indeed 1571, the gallows 6086 standing 5975 at Haman's 2001 house 1004 fifty 2572 cubits 520 high 1364, which 834 Haman 2001 made 6213 for Mordecai 4782 who 834 spoke 1696 good 2896 on behalf 5921 of the king 4428!" And the king 4428 said 559, "Hang 8518 him on it."
10 So they hanged 8518 Haman 2001 on the gallows 6086 which 834 he had prepared 3559 for Mordecai 4782, and the king's 4428 anger 2534 subsided 7918.

## Chapter 8

1

Mordecai Promoted

On that day 3117 King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 gave 5414 the house 1004 of Haman 2001, the enemy 6887 of the Jews 3064, to Queen 4436 Esther 635; and Mordecai 4782 came 935 before 6440 the king 4428, for Esther 635 had disclosed 5046 what 4100 he was to her.
2 The king 4428 took 5493 off 5493 his signet 2885 ring 2885 which 834 he had taken 5674 away 5674 from Haman 2001, and gave 5414 it to Mordecai 4782. And Esther 635 set 7760 Mordecai 4782 over 5921 the house 1004 of Haman 2001.
3 ¶ Then Esther 635 spoke 1696 again 3254 to the king 4428, fell 5307 at his feet 7272, wept 1058 and implored 2603 him to avert 5674 the evil 7463 {scheme} of Haman 2001 the Agagite 91 and his plot 4284 which 834 he had devised 2803 against 5921 the Jews 3064.
4 The king 4428 extended 3447 the golden 2091 scepter 8275 to Esther 635. So Esther 635 arose 6965 and stood 5975 before 6440 the king 4428.
5 Then she said 559, "If 518 it pleases the king 4428 and if 518 I have found 4672 favor 2580 before 6440 him and the matter 1697 {seems} proper 3787 to the king 4428 and I am pleasing 2896 in his sight 5869, let it be written 3789 to revoke 7725 the letters 5612 devised 4284 by Haman 2001, the son 1121 of Hammedatha 1992 the Agagite 91, which 834 he wrote 3789 to destroy 6 the Jews 3064 who 834 are in all 3605 the king's 4428 provinces 4082.
6 "For how 351 can 3201 I endure 3201 to see 7200 the calamity 7463 which 834 will befall 4672 my people 5971, and how 351 can 3201 I endure 3201 to see 7200 the destruction 12 of my kindred 4138?"
7 So King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 said 559 to Queen 4436 Esther 635 and to Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064, "Behold 2009, I have given 5414 the house 1004 of Haman 2001 to Esther 635, and him they have hanged 8518 on the gallows 6086 because he had stretched 7971 out his hands 3027 against the Jews 3064.
8

The King's Decree Avenges the Jews

"Now you write 3789 to the Jews 3064 as you see 5869 fit 2896, in the king's 4428 name 8034, and seal 2856 {it} with the king's 4428 signet 2885 ring 2885; for a decree 3791 which 834 is written 3789 in the name 8034 of the king 4428 and sealed 2856 with the king's 4428 signet 2885 ring 2885 may not be revoked 7725."
9 ¶ So the king's 4428 scribes 5613 were called 7121 at that time 6256 in the third 7992 month 2320 (that is, the month 2320 Sivan 5510), on the twenty-third day; and it was written 3789 according to all 3605 that Mordecai 4782 commanded 6680 to the Jews 3064, the satraps 323, the governors 6346 and the princes 8269 of the provinces 4082 which 834 {extended} from India 1912 to Ethiopia 3568, 127 provinces 4082, to every 4082 province 4082 according to its script 3791, and to every 5971 people 5971 according to their language 3956 as well as to the Jews 3064 according to their script 3791 and their language 3956.
10 He wrote 3789 in the name 8034 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, and sealed 2856 it with the king's 4428 signet 2885 ring 2885, and sent 7971 letters 5612 by couriers 7323 on horses 5483, riding 7392 on steeds 7409 sired 1121 by the royal 7424 stud 7424.
11 In them the king 4428 granted 5414 the Jews 3064 who 834 were in each 5892 and every 3605 city 5892 {the right} to assemble 6950 and to defend 5975 their lives 5315, to destroy 8045, to kill 2026 and to annihilate 6 the entire 3605 army 2428 of any people 5971 or province 4082 which might attack 6696 them, including 854 children 2945 and women 802, and to plunder 962 their spoil 7998,
12 on one 259 day 3117 in all 3605 the provinces 4082 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, the thirteenth {day} of the twelfth month 2320 (that is, the month 2320 Adar 143).
13 A copy 6572 of the edict 3791 to be issued 5414 as law 1881 in each 4082 and every 3605 province 4082 was published 1540 to all 3605 the peoples 5971, so that the Jews 3064 would be ready 6264 for this 2088 day 3117 to avenge 5358 themselves on their enemies 340.
14 The couriers 7323, hastened 926 and impelled 1765 by the king's 4428 command 1697, went 3318 out, riding 7392 on the royal 327 steeds 7409; and the decree 1881 was given 5414 out at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800.
15 ¶ Then Mordecai 4782 went 3318 out from the presence 6440 of the king 4428 in royal 4438 robes 3830 of blue 8504 and white 2353, with a large 1419 crown 5850 of gold 2091 and a garment 8509 of fine 948 linen 948 and purple 713; and the city 5892 of Susa 7800 shouted 6670 and rejoiced 8055.
16 For the Jews 3064 there was light 219 and gladness 8057 and joy 8342 and honor 3366.
17 In each 4082 and every 3605 province 4082 and in each 5892 and every 3605 city 5892, wherever the king's 4428 commandment 1697 and his decree 1881 arrived 5060, there was gladness 8057 and joy 8342 for the Jews 3064, a feast 4960 and a holiday. And many 7227 among 4480 the peoples 5971 of the land 776 became 3054 Jews 3054, for the dread 6343 of the Jews 3064 had fallen 5307 on them.

## Chapter 9

1

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

Now in the twelfth month 2320 (that is, the month 2320 Adar 143), on the thirteenth day 3117 when 834 the king's 4428 command 1697 and edict 1881 were about to be executed 6213, on the day 3117 when 834 the enemies 340 of the Jews 3064 hoped 7663 to gain 7980 the mastery 7980 over 7980 them, it was turned 2015 to the contrary so that the Jews 3064 themselves 1992 gained 7980 the mastery 7980 over 7980 those who hated 8130 them.
2 The Jews 3064 assembled 6950 in their cities 5892 throughout all 3605 the provinces 4082 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 to lay 7971 hands 3027 on those who sought 1245 their harm 7463; and no 3808 one 376 could stand 5975 before 6440 them, for the dread 6343 of them had fallen 5307 on all 3605 the peoples 5971.
3 Even all 3605 the princes 8269 of the provinces 4082, the satraps 323, the governors 6346 and those who were doing 6213 the king's 4428 business 4399 assisted 5375 the Jews 3064, because 3588 the dread 6343 of Mordecai 4782 had fallen 5307 on them.
4 Indeed 3588, Mordecai 4782 was great 1419 in the king's 4428 house 1004, and his fame 8089 spread 1980 throughout all 3605 the provinces 4082; for the man 376 Mordecai 4782 became 1980 greater 1980 and greater 1419.
5 Thus the Jews 3064 struck 5221 all 3605 their enemies 340 with the sword 2719, killing 2027 and destroying 12; and they did 6213 what 7522 they pleased 7522 to those who hated 8130 them.
6 At the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800 the Jews 3064 killed 2026 and destroyed 6 five 2568 hundred 3967 men 376,
7 and Parshandatha 6577, Dalphon 1813, Aspatha 630,
8 Poratha 6334, Adalia 118, Aridatha 743,
9 Parmashta 6534, Arisai 747, Aridai 742 and Vaizatha 2055,
10 the ten 6235 sons 1121 of Haman 2001 the son 1121 of Hammedatha 1992, the Jews' 3064 enemy 6887; but they did not lay 7971 their hands 3027 on the plunder 961.
11 ¶ On that day 3117 the number 4557 of those who were killed 2026 at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800 was reported 935 to the king 4428.
12 The king 4428 said 559 to Queen 4436 Esther 635, "The Jews 3064 have killed 2026 and destroyed 6 five 2568 hundred 3967 men 376 and the ten 6235 sons 1121 of Haman 2001 at the citadel 1002 in Susa 7800. What 4100 then have they done 6213 in the rest 7605 of the king's 4428 provinces 4082! Now what 4100 is your petition 7596? It shall even be granted 5414 you. And what 4100 is your further 5750 request 1246? It shall also be done 6213."
13 Then said 559 Esther 635, "If 518 it pleases the king 4428, let tomorrow 4279 also 1571 be granted 5414 to the Jews 3064 who 834 are in Susa 7800 to do 6213 according to the edict 1881 of today 3117; and let Haman's 2001 ten 6235 sons 1121 be hanged 8518 on the gallows 6086."
14 So the king 4428 commanded 559 that it should be done 6213 so 3651; and an edict 1881 was issued 5414 in Susa 7800, and Haman's 2001 ten 6235 sons 1121 were hanged 8518.
15 The Jews 3064 who 834 were in Susa 7800 assembled 6950 also 1571 on the fourteenth day 3117 of the month 2320 Adar 143 and killed 2026 three 7969 hundred 3967 men 376 in Susa 7800, but they did not lay 7971 their hands 3027 on the plunder 961.
16 ¶ Now the rest 7605 of the Jews 3064 who 834 {were} in the king's 4428 provinces 4082 assembled 6950, to defend 5975 their lives 5315 and rid 5117 themselves 5117 of their enemies 340, and kill 2026 75,000 of those who hated 8130 them; but they did not lay 7971 their hands 3027 on the plunder 961.
17 {This was done} on the thirteenth day 3117 of the month 2320 Adar 143, and on the fourteenth day they rested 5117 and made 6213 it a day 3117 of feasting 4960 and rejoicing 8057.
18 ¶ But the Jews 3064 who 834 were in Susa 7800 assembled 6950 on the thirteenth and the fourteenth of the same month, and they rested 5117 on the fifteenth day and made 6213 it a day 3117 of feasting 4960 and rejoicing 8057.
19 Therefore the Jews 3064 of the rural 6521 areas 6521, who live 3427 in the rural 6519 towns 5892, make 6213 the fourteenth day 3117 of the month 2320 Adar 143 {a} holiday for rejoicing 8057 and feasting 4960 and sending 4916 portions 4490 {of food} to one 376 another 7453.
20

The Feast of Purim Instituted

¶ Then Mordecai 4782 recorded 3789 these 428 events 1697, and he sent 7971 letters 5612 to all 3605 the Jews 3064 who 834 were in all 3605 the provinces 4082 of King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, both near 7138 and far 7350,
21 obliging them to celebrate 6213 the fourteenth day 3117 of the month 2320 Adar 143, and the fifteenth day 3117 of the same month, annually,
22 because on those days 3117 the Jews 3064 rid 5117 themselves 5117 of their enemies 340, and {it was a} month 2320 which 834 was turned 2015 for them from sorrow 3015 into gladness 8057 and from mourning 60 into a holiday; that they should make 6213 them days 3117 of feasting 4960 and rejoicing 8057 and sending 4916 portions 4490 {of food} to one 376 another 7453 and gifts 4979 to the poor 34.
23 ¶ Thus the Jews 3064 undertook 6901 what 834 they had started 2490 to do 6213, and what 834 Mordecai 4782 had written 3789 to them.
24 For Haman 2001 the son 1121 of Hammedatha 1992, the Agagite 91, the adversary 6887 of all 3605 the Jews 3064, had schemed 2803 against 5921 the Jews 3064 to destroy 6 them and had cast 5307 Pur 6332, that is the lot 1486, to disturb 2000 them and destroy 6 them.
25 But when it came 935 to the king's 4428 attention 6440, he commanded 559 by letter 5612 that his wicked 7451 scheme 4284 which 834 he had devised 2803 against 5921 the Jews 3064, should return 7725 on his own head 7218 and that he and his sons 1121 should be hanged 8518 on the gallows 6086.
26 Therefore they called 7121 these 428 days 3117 Purim 6332 after 5921 the name 8034 of Pur 6332. And because 5921 of the instructions 1697 in this 384 letter 107, both what 4100 they had seen 7200 in this 3602 regard 3602 and what 4100 had happened 5060 to them,
27 the Jews 3064 established 6965 and made 6901 a custom 6901 for themselves and for their descendants 2233 and for all 3605 those who allied 3867 themselves with them, so that they would not fail 5674 to celebrate 6213 these 428 two 8147 days 3117 according to their regulation 3791 and according to their appointed 2163 time 2165 annually.
28 So these 428 days 3117 were to be remembered 2142 and celebrated 6213 throughout every 1755 generation 1755, every 4940 family 4940, every 4082 province 4082 and every 5892 city 5892; and these 428 days 3117 of Purim 6332 were not to fail 5674 from among 8432 the Jews 3064, or their memory 2143 fade 5486 from their descendants 2233.
29 ¶ Then Queen 4436 Esther 635, daughter 1323 of Abihail 32, with Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064, wrote 3789 with full 3605 authority 8633 to confirm 6965 this 384 second 8145 letter 107 about Purim 6332.
30 He sent 7971 letters 5612 to all 3605 the Jews 3064, to the 127 provinces 4082 of the kingdom 4438 of Ahasuerus 325, {namely,} words 1697 of peace 7965 and truth 571,
31 to establish 6965 these 428 days 3117 of Purim 6332 at their appointed 2163 times 2165, just 3512 as Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064 and Queen 4436 Esther 635 had established 6965 for them, and just 3512 as they had established 6965 for themselves 5315 and for their descendants 2233 with instructions 1697 for their times 6685 of fasting 6685 and their lamentations 2201.
32 The command 3982 of Esther 635 established 6965 these 428 customs 1697 for Purim 6332, and it was written 3789 in the book 5612.

## Chapter 10

1

Mordecai's Greatness

Now King 4428 Ahasuerus 325 laid 7760 a tribute 4522 on the land 776 and on the coastlands 339 of the sea 3220.
2 And all 3605 the accomplishments 4639 of his authority 8633 and strength 1369, and the full 6575 account 6575 of the greatness 1420 of Mordecai 4782 to which 834 the king 4428 advanced 1431 him, are they not written 3789 in the Book 5612 of the Chronicles of the Kings 4428 of Media 4074 and Persia 6539?
3 For Mordecai 4782 the Jew 3064 was second 4932 {only} to King 4428 Ahasuerus 325, and great 1419 among the Jews 3064 and in favor 7521 with his many 7230 kinsmen 251, one who sought 1875 the good 2896 of his people 5971 and one who spoke 1696 for the welfare 7965 of his whole 3605 nation 2233.