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Book 17 Esther

17:001:001
Now it came to pass
in the days of Ahasuerus,
(this is Ahasuerus
which reigned,
from India
even unto Ethiopia,
over an hundred and
seven and twenty provinces:)

17:001:002
That in those days,
when the king Ahasuerus sat
on the throne
of his kingdom,
which was
in Shushan the palace,

17:001:003
In the third year
of his reign,
he made a feast
unto all his princes
and his servants;
the power of Persia and Media,
the nobles and princes
of the provinces,
being before him:

17:001:004
When he shewed the riches
of his glorious kingdom
and the honour
of his excellent majesty
many days,
even an hundred
and fourscore days.

17:001:005
And when these days
were expired,
the king made a feast
unto all the people
that were present
in Shushan the palace,
both unto great
and small,
seven days,
in the court
of the garden
of the king's palace;


17:001:006
Where were white,
green, and blue, hangings,
fastened with cords
of fine linen and purple
to silver rings
and pillars of marble:
the beds were of gold
and silver,
upon a pavement
of red,
and blue,
and white,
and black marble.

17:001:007
And they gave them drink
in vessels of gold,
(the vessels being diverse
one from another,)
and royal wine
in abundance,
according to the state
of the king.

17:001:008
And the drinking was
according to the law;
none did compel:
for so the king
had appointed
to all the officers
of his house,
that they should do
according to every man's pleasure.

17:001:009
Also Vashti the queen
made a feast
for the women
in the royal house
which belonged
to king Ahasuerus.

17:001:010
On the seventh day,
when the heart
of the king was merry
with wine,
he commanded Mehuman,
Biztha,
Harbona,
Bigtha,
and Abagtha,
Zethar,
and Carcas,
the seven chamberlains
that served in the presence
of Ahasuerus the king,
`
17:001:011
to bring Vashti the queen
before the king
with the crown royal,
to shew the people
and the princes her beauty:

for she was fair
to look on.

17:001:012
But the queen Vashti refused
to come at the king's commandment
by his chamberlains:

therefore was the king very wroth,
and his anger burned in him.

17:001:013
Then the king said
to the wise men,
which knew the times,
(for so was the king's manner
toward all that knew law
and judgment:

17:001:014
And the next unto him
was Carshena,
Shethar,
Admatha,
Tarshish,
Meres,
Marsena,
and Memucan,
the seven princes
of Persia and Media,
which saw the king's face,
and which sat the first
in the kingdom;)

17:001:015
What shall we do
unto the queen Vashti
according to law,
because she hath not performed
the commandment
of the king Ahasuerus
by the chamberlains?

17:001:016
And Memucan answered
before the king and the princes,
Vashti the queen
hath not done wrong
to the king only,
but also
to all the princes,
and to all the people
that are in all the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus.

17:001:017
for this deed of the queen
shall come abroad
unto all women,
so that they shall despise
their husbands
in their eyes,
when it shall be reported,
The king Ahasuerus
commanded Vashti the queen
to be brought in before him,
but she came not.

17:001:018
Likewise shall the ladies
of Persia and Media
say this day
unto all the king's princes,
which have heard of the deed
of the queen.

Thus shall there arise
too much contempt and wrath.

17:001:019
If it please the king,
let there go
a royal commandment from him,
and let it be written
among the laws of the Persians
and the Medes,
that it be not altered,
That Vashti come no more
before king Ahasuerus;
and let the king
give her royal estate
unto another
that is better than she.

17:001:020
And when the king's decree
which he shall make
shall be published
throughout all his empire,
(for it is great,)
all the wives shall give
to their husbands honour,
both to great and small.

17:001:021
And the saying pleased the king
and the princes;
and the king did according
to the word of Memucan:

17:001:022
for he sent letters
into all the king's provinces,
into every province
according to the writing thereof,
and to every people
after their language,
that every man
should bear rule
in his own house,
and that it should be published
according to the language
of every people.

17:002:001
After these things,
when the wrath of king Ahasuerus
was appeased,
he remembered Vashti,
and what she had done,
and what was decreed against her.

17:002:002
Then said the king's servants
that ministered unto him,
Let there be fair young virgins sought
for the king:

17:002:003
And let the king
appoint officers
in all the provinces
of his kingdom,
that they may gather together
all the fair young virgins
unto Shushan the palace,
to the house of the women,
unto the custody
of Hege the king's chamberlain,
keeper of the women;
and let their things
for purification
be given them:

17:002:004
And let the maiden
which pleaseth the king
be queen instead of Vashti.

And the thing pleased the king;
and he did so.

17:002:005
Now in Shushan the palace
there was a certain Jew,
whose name was Mordecai,
the son of Jair,
the son of Shimei,
the son of Kish,
a Benjamite;

17:002:006
Who had been carried away
from Jerusalem
with the captivity
which had been carried away
with Jeconiah king of Judah,
whom Nebuchadnezzar
the king of Babylon
had carried away.

17:002:007
And he brought up Hadassah,
that is, Esther,
his uncle's daughter:
for she had neither
father nor mother,
and the maid
was fair and beautiful;
whom Mordecai,
when her father
and mother were dead,
took for his own daughter.

17:002:008
So it came to pass,
when the king's commandment
and his decree was heard,
and when many maidens
were gathered together
unto Shushan the palace,
to the custody of Hegai,
that Esther was brought also
unto the king's house,
to the custody of Hegai,
keeper of the women.

17:002:009
And the maiden pleased him,
and she obtained kindness of him;
and he speedily gave her her things
for purification,
with such things as belonged
to her,
and seven maidens,
which were meet
to be given her,
out of the king's house:

and he preferred her
and her maids
unto the best place
of the house of the women.

17:002:010
Esther had not shewed
her people nor her kindred:

for Mordecai had charged her
that she should not shew it.

17:002:011
And Mordecai
walked every day
before the court
of the women's house,
to know how Esther did,
and what should become of her.

17:002:012
Now when every maid's turn
was come to go in
to king Ahasuerus,
after that she had been
twelve months,
according to the manner
of the women,
(for so were the days
of their purifications accomplished,
to wit,
six months
with oil of myrrh,
and six months
with sweet odours,
and with other things
for the purifying
of the women;)

17:002:013
Then thus came every maiden
unto the king;
whatsoever she desired
was given her
to go with her
out of the house
of the women
unto the king's house.

17:002:014
In the evening she went,
and on the morrow she returned
into the second house
of the women,
to the custody of Shaashgaz,
the king's chamberlain,
which kept the concubines:

she came in
unto the king no more,
except the king
delighted in her,
and that she were called
by name.

17:002:015
Now when the turn of Esther,
the daughter of Abihail
the uncle of Mordecai,
who had taken her
for his daughter,
was come
to go in unto the king,
she required nothing
but what Hegai
the king's chamberlain,
the keeper of the women,
appointed.

And Esther obtained favour
in the sight of all them
that looked upon her.

17:002:016
So Esther was taken
unto king Ahasuerus
into his house royal
in the tenth month,
which is the month Tebeth,
in the seventh year
of his reign.

17:002:017
And the king loved Esther
above all the women,
and she obtained grace
and favour in his sight
more than all the virgins;
so that he set the royal crown
upon her head,
and made her queen
instead of Vashti.

17:002:018
Then the king
made a great feast
unto all his princes
and his servants,
even Esther's feast;
and he made a release
to the provinces,
and gave gifts,
according to the state
of the king.

17:002:019
And when the virgins
were gathered together
the second time,
then Mordecai sat
in the king's gate.

17:002:020
Esther had not yet shewed
her kindred nor her people;
as Mordecai had charged her:

for Esther did the commandment
of Mordecai,
like as when she was brought up
with him.

17:002:021
In those days,
while Mordecai sat
in the king's gate,
two of the king's chamberlains,
Bigthan and Teresh,
of those which kept the door,
were wroth,
and sought
to lay hands
on the king Ahasuerus.

17:002:022
And the thing was known
to Mordecai,
who told it
unto Esther the queen;
and Esther certified
the king thereof
in Mordecai's name.

17:002:023
And when inquisition
was made of the matter,
it was found out;
therefore they were both hanged
on a tree:

and it was written
in the book of the chronicles
before the king.

17:003:001
After these things
did king Ahasuerus
promote Haman
the son of Hammedatha
the Agagite,
and advanced him,
and set his seat
above all the princes
that were with him.

17:003:002
And all the king's servants,
that were in the king's gate,
bowed, and reverenced Haman:

for the king had so commanded
concerning him.

But Mordecai bowed not,
nor did him reverence.

17:003:003
Then the king's servants,
which were in the king's gate,
said unto Mordecai,
Why transgressest thou
the king's commandment?

17:003:004
Now it came
to pass,
when they spake daily
unto him,
and he hearkened not
unto them,
that they told Haman,
to see whether
Mordecai's matters
would stand:

for he had told them
that he was a Jew.

17:003:005
And when Haman saw
that Mordecai bowed not,
nor did him reverence,
then was Haman full
of wrath.

17:003:006
And he thought scorn
to lay hands
on Mordecai alone;
for they had shewed him
the people of Mordecai:

wherefore Haman sought
to destroy all the Jews
that were throughout
the whole kingdom
of Ahasuerus,
even the people
of Mordecai.

17:003:007
In the first month,
that is,
the month Nisan,
in the twelfth year
of king Ahasuerus,
they cast Pur,
that is,
the lot,
before Haman
from day to day,
and from month to month,
to the twelfth month,
that is,
the month Adar.

17:003:008
And Haman said
unto king Ahasuerus,
There is a certain people
scattered abroad and dispersed
among the people
in all the provinces
of thy kingdom;
and their laws are diverse
from all people;
neither keep they
the king's laws:

therefore it is not
for the king's profit
to suffer them.

17:003:009
If it please the king,
let it be written
that they may be destroyed:

and I will pay
ten thousand talents
of silver
to the hands of those
that have the charge
of the business,
to bring it
into the king's treasuries.

17:003:010
And the king took his ring
from his hand,
and gave it unto Haman
the son of Hammedatha
the Agagite,
the Jews'enemy.

17:003:011
And the king said
unto Haman,
The silver is given
to thee,
the people also,
to do with them
as it seemeth good
to thee.

17:003:012
Then were the king's scribes called
on the thirteenth day
of the first month,
and there was written
according to all that Haman
had commanded
unto the king's lieutenants,
and to the governors
that were over every province,
and to the rulers
of every people
of every province
according to the writing thereof,
and to every people
after their language;
in the name of king Ahasuerus
was it written,
and sealed
with the king's ring.


17:003:013
And the letters were sent
by posts
nto all the king's provinces,
to destroy,
to kill,
and to cause
to perish,
all Jews,
both young and old,
little children and women,
in one day,
even upon the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month Adar,
and to take the spoil of them
for a prey.

17:003:014
The copy of the writing
for a commandment
to be given in every province
was published unto all people,
that they should be ready
against that day.

17:003:015
The posts went out,
being hastened
by the king's commandment,
and the decree was given
in Shushan the palace.

And the king and Haman
sat down to drink;
but the city Shushan
was perplexed.

17:004:001
When Mordecai perceived
all that was done,
Mordecai rent his clothes,
and put on sackcloth
with ashes,
and went out
into the midst of the city,
and cried
with a loud and a bitter cry;

17:004:002
And came even
before the king's gate:
for none might enter
into the king's gate clothed
with sackcloth.

17:004:003
And in every province,
whithersoever
the king's commandment
and his decree came,
there was great mourning
among the Jews,
and fasting,
and weeping,
and wailing;
and many lay in sackcloth
and ashes.

17:004:004
So Esther's maids
and her chamberlains came
and told it her.

Then was the queen
exceedingly grieved;
and she sent raiment
to clothe Mordecai,
and to take away
his sackcloth from him:

but he received it not.

17:004:005
Then called Esther
for Hatach,
one of the king's chamberlains,
whom he had appointed
to attend upon her,
and gave him a commandment
to Mordecai,
to know what it was,
and why it was.

17:004:006
So Hatach went forth
to Mordecai
unto the street of the city,
which was before
the king's gate.

17:004:007
And Mordecai told him
of all that had happened
unto him,
and of the sum
of the money
that Haman
had promised to pay
to the king's treasuries
for the Jews,
to destroy them.

17:004:008
Also he gave him
the copy of the writing
of the decree
that was given at Shushan
to destroy them,
to shew it unto Esther,
and to declare it
unto her,
and to charge her
that she should go in
unto the king,
to make supplication
unto him,
and to make request
before him
for her people.

17:004:009
And Hatach came
and told Esther
the words of Mordecai.

17:004:010
Again Esther spake unto Hatach,
and gave him commandment
unto Mordecai;

17:004:011
All the king's servants,
and the people
of the king's provinces,
do know,
that whosoever,
whether man or women,
shall come unto the king
into the inner court,
who is not called,
there is one law of his
to put him to death,
except such
to whom the king
shall hold out
the golden sceptre,
that he may live:

but I have not been called
to come in unto the king
these thirty days.

17:004:012
And they told
to Mordecai Esther's words.

17:004:013
Then Mordecai commanded
to answer Esther,
Think not with thyself
that thou shalt escape
in the king's house,
more than all the Jews.

17:004:014
For if thou altogether
holdest thy peace
at this time,
then shall there enlargement
and deliverance arise
to the Jews
from another place;
but thou and thy father's house
shall be destroyed:

and who knoweth
whether thou art come
to the kingdom
for such a time as this?

17:004:015
Then Esther bade them
return Mordecai this answer,

17:004:016
Go,
gather together
all the Jews that are present
in Shushan,
and fast ye
for me,
and neither eat
nor drink three days,
night or day:

I also and my maidens
will fast likewise;
and so will I go in
unto the king,
which is not according
to the law:

and if I perish,
I perish.

17:004:017
So Mordecai went his way,
and did according
to all that Esther
had commanded him.

17:005:001
Now it came to pass
on the third day,
that Esther put on
her royal apparel,
and stood in the inner court
of the king's house,
over against the king's house:

and the king sat
upon his royal throne
in the royal house,
over against the gate
of the house.

17:005:002
And it was so,
when the king saw
Esther the queen
standing in the court,
that she obtained favour
in his sight:

and the king held out
to Esther the golden sceptre
that was in his hand.

So Esther drew near,
and touched the top
of the sceptre.

17:005:003
Then said the king
unto her,
What wilt thou,
queen Esther?

and what is thy request?

it shall be even given thee
to the half
of the kingdom.

17:005:004
And Esther answered,
If it seem good
unto the king,
let the king and Haman
come this day
unto the banquet
that I have prepared
for him.

17:005:005
Then the king said,
Cause Haman
to make haste,
that he may do
as Esther hath said.

So the king and Haman came
to the banquet
that Esther had prepared.

17:005:006
And the king said
unto Esther
at the banquet of wine,
What is thy petition?

and it shall be granted thee:

and what is thy request?

even to the half
of the kingdom
it shall be performed.

17:005:007
Then answered Esther,
and said,
My petition and my request is;

17:005:008
If I have found favour
in the sight of the king,
and if it please the king
to grant my petition,
and to perform my request,
let the king and Haman come
to the banquet
that I shall prepare for them,
and I will do tomorrow
as the king hath said.

17:005:009
Then went Haman forth
that day joyful
and with a glad heart:

but when Haman
saw Mordecai
in the king's gate,
that he stood not up,
nor moved
for him,
he was full
of indignation
against Mordecai.

17:005:010
Nevertheless Haman
refrained himself:
and when he came home,
he sent and called
for his friends,
and Zeresh his wife.

17:005:011
And Haman told them
of the glory
of his riches,
and the multitude
of his children,
and all the things
wherein the king
had promoted him,
and how he had advanced him
above the princes
and servants of the king.

17:005:012
Haman said moreover,
Yea, Esther the queen
did let no man come in
with the king
unto the banquet
that she had prepared
but myself;
and tomorrow
am I invited
unto her also
with the king.

17:005:013
Yet all this
availeth me nothing,
so long as I see
Mordecai the Jew
sitting at the king's gate.

17:005:014
Then said Zeresh his wife
and all his friends unto him,
Let a gallows be made
of fifty cubits high,
and to morrow speak thou
unto the king
that Mordecai
may be hanged thereon:

then go thou in merrily
with the king
unto the banquet.

And the thing pleased Haman;
and he caused the gallows
to be made.

17:006:001
On that night
could not the king sleep,
and he commanded
to bring the book
of records
of the chronicles;
and they were read
before the king.

17:006:002
And it was found written,
that Mordecai had told
of Bigthana
and Teresh,
two of the king's chamberlains,
the keepers of the door,
who sought to lay hand
on the king Ahasuerus.

17:006:003
And the king said,
What honour and dignity
hath been done
to Mordecai for this?

Then said the king's servants
that ministered unto him,
There is nothing done
for him.

17:006:004
And the king said,
Who is in the court?

Now Haman was come
into the outward court
of the king's house,
to speak unto the king
to hang Mordecai
on the gallows
that he had prepared
for him.

17:006:005
And the king's servants
said unto him,
Behold, Haman standeth
in the court.

And the king said,
Let him come in.

17:006:006
So Haman came in.
And the king said unto him,
What shall be done
unto the man
whom the king delighteth
to honour?

Now Haman thought in his heart,
To whom would the king delight
to do honour
more than
to myself?

17:006:007
And Haman answered the king,
For the man whom the king
delighteth to honour,

17:006:008
Let the royal apparel be brought
which the king useth
to wear,
and the horse
that the king rideth upon,
and the crown royal
which is set
upon his head:

17:006:009
And let this apparel
and horse be delivered
to the hand
of one of the king's
most noble princes,
that they may array the man
withal whom the king delighteth
to honour,
and bring him on horseback
through the street of the city,
and proclaim before him,
Thus shall it be done
to the man
whom the king delighteth
to honour.

17:006:010 36
Then the king said
to Haman,
Make haste,
and take the apparel
and the horse,
as thou hast said,
and do even so
to Mordecai the Jew,
that sitteth
at the king's gate:

let nothing fail
of all that thou hast spoken.

17:006:011
Then took Haman
the apparel and the horse,
and arrayed Mordecai,
and brought him on horseback
through the street of the city,
and proclaimed before him,
Thus shall it be done
unto the man
whom the king delighteth
to honour.

17:006:012
And Mordecai came again
to the king's gate.

But Haman hasted
to his house mourning,
and having his head covered.

17:006:013
And Haman told Zeresh
his wife and all his friends
every thing that had befallen him.

Then said his wise men
and Zeresh his wife unto him,
If Mordecai be
of the seed of the Jews,
before whom thou hast begun
to fall,
thou shalt not prevail against him,
but shalt surely fall before him.

17:006:014
And while they were
yet talking with him,
came the king's chamberlains,
and hasted
to bring Haman
unto the banquet
that Esther had prepared.

17:007:001
So the king and Haman
came to banquet
with Esther the queen.

17:007:002
And the king said again
unto Esther on the second day
at the banquet of wine,
What is thy petition,
queen Esther?

and it shall be granted thee:

and what is thy request?

and it shall be performed,
even to the half
of the kingdom.

17:007:003
Then Esther the queen
answered and said,
If I have found favour
in thy sight,
O king,
and if it please the king,
let my life be given me
at my petition,
and my people
at my request:

17:007:004
for we are sold,
I and my people,
to be destroyed,
to be slain,
and to perish.

But if we had been sold
for bondmen
and bondwomen,
I had held my tongue,
although the enemy
could not countervail
the king's damage.

17:007:005
Then the king Ahasuerus
answered and said
unto Esther the queen,
Who is he,
and where is he,
that durst presume
in his heart
to do so?

17:007:006
And Esther said,
The adversary and enemy
is this wicked Haman.

Then Haman was afraid
before the king
and the queen.

17:007:007
And the king arising
from the banquet of wine
in his wrath
went into the palace garden:

and Haman stood up
to make request
for his life
to Esther the queen;
for he saw
that there was evil
determined against him
by the king.

17:007:008
Then the king returned
out of the palace garden
into the place
of the banquet of wine;
and Haman was fallen
upon the bed
whereon Esther was.

Then said the king,
Will he force the queen also
before me in the house?

As the word went out
of king's mouth,
they covered Haman's face.

17:007:009
And Harbonah,
one of the chamberlains,
said before the king,
Behold also,
the gallows fifty cubits high,
which Haman had made
for Mordecai,
who spoken good
for the king,
standeth in the house
of Haman.

Then the king said,
Hang him thereon.

17:007:010
So they hanged Haman
on the gallows
that he had prepared
for Mordecai.

Then was the king's wrath
pacified.

17:008:001
On that day
did the king Ahasuerus
give the house of Haman
the Jews'enemy
unto Esther the queen.

And Mordecai came
before the king;
for Esther had told
what he was unto her.

17:008:002
And the king took off his ring,
which he had taken
from Haman,
and gave it
unto Mordecai.

And Esther set Mordecai
over the house
of Haman.

17:008:003
And Esther spake yet again
before the king,
and fell down at his feet,
and besought him
with tears
to put away the mischief
of Haman the Agagite,
and his device
that he had devised
against the Jews.

17:008:004
Then the king held out
the golden sceptre
toward Esther.

So Esther arose,
and stood before the king,

17:008:005
And said,
If it please the king,
and if I have favour
in his sight,
and the thing seem right
before the king,
and I be pleasing
in his eyes,
let it be written
to reverse the letters
devised by Haman
the son of Hammedatha
the Agagite,
which he wrote
to destroy the Jews
which are in all
the king's provinces:

17:008:006
for how can I endure
to see the evil
that shall come
unto my people?

Or how can I endure
to see the destruction
of my kindred?

17:008:007
Then the king Ahasuerus said
unto Esther the queen
and to Mordecai the Jew,
Behold,
I have given Esther
the house of Haman,
and him they have hanged
upon the gallows,
because he laid his hand
upon the Jews.

17:008:008
Write ye also
for the Jews,
as it liketh you,
in the king's name,
and seal it
with the king's ring:

for the writing
which is written
in the king's name,
and sealed
with the king's ring,
may no man reverse.

17:008:009
Then were the king's scribes called
at that time
in the third month,
that is,
the month Sivan,
on the three and twentieth
day thereof;
and it was written
according to all
that Mordecai commanded
unto the Jews,
and to the lieutenants,
and the deputies and rulers
of the provinces
which are from India
unto Ethiopia,
an hundred twenty
and seven provinces,
unto every province
according to
the writing thereof,
and unto every people
after their language,
and to the Jews
according to their writing,
and according
to their language.

17:008:010
And he wrote in
the king Ahasuerus' name,
and sealed it
with the king's ring,
and sent letters
by posts on horseback,
and riders on mules,
camels,
and young dromedaries:

17:008:011
Wherein the king
granted the Jews
which were in every city
to gather themselves together,
and to stand
for their life,
to destroy,
to slay and
to cause
to perish,
all the power
of the people
and province
that would assault them,
both little ones and women,
and to take the spoil of them
for a prey,

17:008:012
Upon one day
in all the provinces
of king Ahasuerus,
namely,
upon the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month,
which is the month Adar.

17:008:013
The copy of the writing
for a commandment
to be given
in every province
was published
unto all people,
and that the Jews
should be ready
against that day
to avenge themselves
on their enemies.

17:008:014
So the posts
that rode upon mules
and camels went out,
being hastened and pressed on
by the king's commandment.

And the decree was given
at Shushan the palace.

17:008:015
And Mordecai went out
from the presence of the king
in royal apparel
of blue and white,
and with a great crown of gold,
and with a garment
of fine linen and purple:

and the city of Shushan rejoiced
and was glad.

17:008:016
The Jews had light,
and gladness,
and joy,
and honour.

17:008:017
And in every province,
and in every city,
whithersoever
the king's commandment
and his decree came,
the Jews had joy and gladness,
a feast and a good day.

And many of the people
of the land became Jews;
for the fear of the Jews
fell upon them.

17:009:001
Now in the twelfth month,
that is,
the month Adar,
on the thirteenth day
of the same,
when the king's commandment
and his decree drew near
to be put in execution,
in the day that the enemies
of the Jews hoped
to have power over them,
(though it was turned
to the contrary,
that the Jews had rule
over them that hated them;)


17:009:002
The Jews gathered
themselves together
in their cities
throughout all the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus,
to lay hand on such
as sought their hurt:

and no man
could withstand them;
for the fear of them fell
upon all people.

17:009:003
And all the rulers
of the provinces,
and the lieutenants,
and the deputies,
and officers
of the king,
helped the Jews;
because the fear
of Mordecai
fell upon them.

17:009:004
for Mordecai was great
in the king's house,
and his fame went out
throughout all the provinces:

for this man Mordecai
waxed greater and greater.

17:009:005
Thus the Jews
smote all their enemies
with the stroke
of the sword,
and slaughter,
and destruction,
and did what they would
unto those that hated them.

17:009:006
And in Shushan the palace
the Jews slew and destroyed
five hundred men.

17:009:007
And Parshandatha,
and Dalphon,
and Aspatha,

17:009:008
And Poratha,
and Adalia,
and Aridatha,

17:009:009
And Parmashta,
and Arisai,
and Aridai,
and Vajezatha,

17:009:010
The ten sons of Haman
the son of Hammedatha,
the enemy of the Jews,
slew they;
but on the spoil
laid they not
their hand.

17:009:011 On that day
the number
of those that were slain
in Shushan the palace
was brought before the king.

17:009:012 And the king said
unto Esther the queen,
The Jews have slain
and destroyed
five hundred men
in Shushan the palace,
and the ten sons of Haman;
what have they done
in the rest
of the king's provinces?

now what is thy petition?

and it shall be granted thee:

or what is thy request further?

and it shall be done.

17:009:013 Then said Esther,
If it please the king,
let it be granted
to the Jews
which are in Shushan
to do tomorrow also
according unto
this day's decree,
and let Haman's ten sons
be hanged upon the gallows.

17:009:014 And the king
commanded it
so to be done:

and the decree was given
at Shushan;
and they hanged
Haman's ten sons.

17:009:015
for the Jews
that were in Shushan
gathered themselves together
on the fourteenth day also
of the month Adar,
and slew
three hundred men
at Shushan;
but on the prey
they laid not their hand.

17:009:016 But the other Jews
that were in the king's provinces
gathered themselves together,
and stood
for their lives,
and had rest
from their enemies,
and slew of their foes
seventy and five thousand,
but they laid not their hands
on the prey,

17:009:017 On the thirteenth day
of the month Adar;
and on the fourteenth day
of the same rested they,
and made it a day
of feasting and gladness.

17:009:018 But the Jews
that were at Shushan
assembled together
on the thirteenth day thereof,
and on the fourteenth thereof;
and on the fifteenth day
of the same they rested,
and made it a day
of feasting and gladness.

17:009:019 Therefore the Jews
of the villages,
that dwelt in the unwalled towns,
made the fourteenth day
of the month Adar
a day of gladness and feasting,
and a good day,
and of sending portions
one to another.

17:009:020 And Mordecai
wrote these things,
and sent letters
unto all the Jews
that were in all the provinces
of the king Ahasuerus,
both nigh and far,

]17:009:021
to establish this
among them,
that they should keep
the fourteenth day
of the month Adar,
and the fifteenth day
of the same,
yearly,

17:009:022 As the days
wherein the Jews rested
from their enemies,
and the month
which was turned
unto them
from sorrow to joy,
and from mourning
into a good day:

that they should make them
days of feasting and joy,
and of sending portions
one to another,
and gifts
to the poor.

17:009:023 And the Jews undertook
to do
as they had begun,
and as Mordecai
had written
unto them;

17:009:024 Because Haman
the son of Hammedatha,
the Agagite,
the enemy
of all the Jews,
had devised
against the Jews
to destroy them,
and had cast Pur,
that is, the lot,
to consume them,
and to destroy them;

17:009:025 But when Esther came
before the king,
he commanded by letters
that his wicked device,
which he devised
against the Jews,
should return
upon his own head,
and that he and his sons
should be hanged
on the gallows.

17:009:026 Wherefore they called
these days Purim
after the name
of Pur.

Therefore
for all the words
of this letter,
and of that
which they had seen
concerning this matter,
and which had come
unto them,

17:009:027 The Jews ordained,
and took upon them,
and upon their seed,
and upon all
such as joined themselves
unto them,
so as it should not fail,
that they would keep
these two days
according to their writing,
and according
to their appointed time
every year;

17:009:028 And that these days
should be remembered
and kept
throughout every generation,
every family,
every province,
and every city;
and that these days
of Purim should not fail
from among the Jews,
nor the memorial
of them perish
from their seed.

17:009:029 Then Esther the queen,
the daughter of Abihail,
and Mordecai the Jew,
wrote with all authority,
to confirm this second letter
of Purim.

17:009:030
And he sent the letters
unto all the Jews,
to the hundred twenty
and seven provinces
of the kingdom
of Ahasuerus,
with words
of peace and truth,

17:009:031
to confirm these days
of Purim
in their times appointed,
according as
Mordecai the Jew
and Esther the queen
had enjoined them,
and as they had decreed
for themselves and
for their seed,
the matters
of the fastings
and their cry.

17:009:032
And the decree
of Esther
confirmed these matters
of Purim;
and it was written
in the book.

17:010:001
And the king Ahasuerus
laid a tribute
upon the land,
and upon the isles
of the sea.

17:010:002 And all the acts
of his power
and of his might,
and the declaration
of the greatness
of Mordecai,
whereunto the king
advanced him,
are they not written
in the book
of the chronicles
of the kings
of Media and Persia?

17:010:003
for Mordecai the Jew
was next
unto king Ahasuerus,
and great
among the Jews,
and accepted
of the multitude
of his brethren,
seeking the wealth
of his people,
and speaking peace
to all his seed.



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