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Chapter: 001, of book Esther
V 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:)
V 002 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of
his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
V 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:
V 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.
V 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;
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 009 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal
house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.
V 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,
V 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.
V 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.
V 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:
V 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;)
V 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?
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 021 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did
according to the word of Memucan:
V 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.
Chapter: 002, of book Esther
V 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.
V 002 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there
be fair young virgins sought for the king:
V 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:
V 004 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of
Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
V 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;
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 010 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had
charged her that she should not shew it.
V 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.
V 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;)
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 019 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then
Mordecai sat in the king's gate.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
Chapter: 003, of book Esther
V 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.
V 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.
V 003 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto
Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
V 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.
V 005 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence,
then was Haman full of wrath.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 010 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman
the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
V 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.
V 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.
V 013 And the letters were sent by posts into 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.
V 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.
V 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.
Chapter: 004, of book Esther
V 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;
V 002 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into
the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 006 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city,
which was before the king's gate.
V 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.
V 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.
V 009 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
V 010 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto
Mordecai;
V 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.
V 012 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
V 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.
V 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?
V 015 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
V 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.
V 017 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had
commanded him.
Chapter: 005, of book Esther
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 007 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
V 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 to morrow as the king hath said.
V 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.
V 010 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he
sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
V 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.
V 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 to
morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
V 013 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the
Jew sitting at the king's gate.
V 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.
Chapter: 006, of book Esther
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 005 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in
the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
V 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?
V 007 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth
to honour,
V 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:
V 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.
V 010 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.
V 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.
V 012 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to
his house mourning, and having his head covered.
V 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.
V 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.
Chapter: 007, of book Esther
V 001 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
V 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.
V 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:
V 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.
V 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?
V 006 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 010 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for
Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
Chapter: 008, of book Esther
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 004 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther
arose, and stood before the king,
V 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:
V 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?
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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:
V 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,
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 016 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
V 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.
Chapter: 009, of book Esther
V 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;)
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 006 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred
men.
V 007 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,
V 008 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
V 009 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,
V 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.
V 011 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the
palace was brought before the king.
V 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.
V 013 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the
Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's
decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.
V 014 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given
at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
V 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.
V 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,
V 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.
V 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.
V 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.
V 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,
V 021 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth
day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,
V 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.
V 023 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai
had written unto them;
V 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;
V 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.
V 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,
V 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;
V 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.
V 029 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the
Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.
V 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,
V 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.
V 032 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it
was written in the book.
Chapter: 010, of book Esther
V 001 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the
isles of the sea.
V 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?
V 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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