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KING JAMES BIBLES
  • Book of Esther
    		• 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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