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which knew the times, (for so was the king's 5¶ Now, in Shushan the palace there was manner toward all that knew law and judg- a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, 'ment: the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite ;

14 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,)

15 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?

6 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.

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7 And he brought up Hadassah, (that is, Esther,) his uncle's daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was 16 And Memucan answered before the king fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not her father and mother were dead, took for done wrong to the king only, but also to all his own daughter.

the princes, and to all the people that are in 81 So it came to pass, when the king's all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.

17 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.

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.

9 And the maiden pleased him, and she 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and obtained kindness of him; and he speedily Media say this day unto all the king's princes, gave her her things for purification, with which have heard of the deed of the queen. such things as belonged to her, and seven Thus shall there arise too much contempt and maidens, which were meet to be given her, wrath. out of the king's house: and he preferred

19 If it please the king, let there go a royal her and her maids unto the best place of the commandment from him, and let it be writ-house of the women.

ten among the laws of the Persians and the 10 Esther had not shewed her people, nor Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her come no more before king Ahasuerus; and that she should not shew it.

21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

let the king give her royal estate unto an- 11 And Mordecai walked every day before other that is better than she. the court of the women's house, to know how 20 And when the king's decree, which he Esther did, and what should become of her. shall make, shall be published throughout 12 Now, when every maid's turn was all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives come to go in to king Aliasuerus, after that shall give to their husbands honour, both to she had been twelve months, according to great and small. the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six montns with sweet odours, and with other 22 For he sent letters into all the king's things for the purifying of the women ;) provinces, into every province according to 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the writing thereof, and to every people after the king; whatsoever she desired was given their language, that every man should bear her to go with her out of the house of the rule in his own house; and that it should be women unto the king's house. published according to the language of every people.

CHAP. II.

FTER these things, when the wrath of

membered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.

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

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

15 T Now, when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was And let the king appoint officers in all the come to go in unto the king, she required provinces of his kingdom, that they may ga- nothing but what Hegai the king's chamther together all the fair young virgins unto berlain, the keeper of the women, appointShushan the palace, to the house of the wo- ed. and Esther obtained favour in the sight men, unto the custody of Hege the king's of all them that looked upon her. chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let 16 So Esther was taken unto king Aha their things for purification be given them: suerus, into his house-royal, in the tenth 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the month, which is the month Tebeth, in the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the seventh year of his reign.

thing pleased the king; and be did so.

17 And the king loved Esther above all the

CHAP. III, IV. women, and she obtained grace and favour 9 If it please the king, let it be written tha in his sight more than all the virgins; so that they may be destroyed; and I will pay ter he set the royal crown upon her head, and thousand talents of silver to the hands o made her queen instead of Vashti. those that have the charge of the business, t

18 Then the king made a great feast unto bring it into the king's treasuries. all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast: and he made a release to the provinces, hand, and gave it unto Haman the son o 10 And the king took his ring from hi and gave gifts, according to the state of the Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy king. silver is given to thee, the people also, to da 11 And the king said unto Haman, The

19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in with them as it seemeth good to thee. the king's gate. 12 Then were the king's scribes called on

him.

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred the thirteenth day of the first month, and nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her: there was written according to all that Hafor Esther did the commandment of Mor-man had commanded unto the king's lieudecai, like as when she was brought up with tenants, and to the governors that were over 21 ¶ In those days, while Mordecai sat in people of every province, according to the every province, and to the rulers of every the king's gate, two of the king's chamber-writing thereof, and to every people after lains, Bighan and Teresh, of those which their language; in the name of king Ahakept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay suerus was it written, and sealed with the hand on the king Ahasuerus. king's ring.

22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 23 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. CHAP. III.

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

14 The copy of the writing, for a com

these

did

published unto all people, that they should be
mandment to
ready against that day.

in

15 The posts went out, being hastened by

promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's commandment; and the decree the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Ha-was given in Shushan the palace. And the man; for the king had so commanded con- king and Haman sat down to drink; but the cerning him: but Mordecai bowed not, nor city Shushan was perplexed. did him reverence.

CHAP. IV.

Then the king's servants, which were in WHEN, Mordecai rent his clothes, and the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out all that 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake into the midst of the city, and cried with a daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto loud and a bitter cry; them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had for none might enter into the king's gate 2 And came even before the king's gate: told them that he was a Jew. clothed with sackcloth.

king's commandment and his decree came, 3 And in every province, whithersoever the and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and there was great mourning among the Jews, many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

6 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 lains came and told it her. Then was the 4 So Esther's maids, and her chamberthroughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raieven the people of Mordecai. ment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away

7 In the first month, (that is, the month his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
Nisan,)in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus,
they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman, king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed
5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the
from day to day, and from month to month, to attend upon her,and gave him a command-
to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. ment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and
81 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, why it was.

There is a certain people scattered abroad,
and dispersed among the people in all the the street of the city, which was before the
6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto
provinces of thy kingdoin; and their laws are king's gate:
diverse from all people, neither keep they the
king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's happened unto him, and of the sum of the
7 And Mordecai told Lm of all that had
profit to suffer them.
money that Haman had promised to pay to

371

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

them :

8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing 6 And the king said unto Esther at the of the decree that was given at Shushan to banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to it shall be granted thee: and what is thy redeclare it unto her, and to charge her that she quest? even to the half of the kingdom it should go in unto the king, to make supplica- shall be performed. tion unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai :

8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my pe tition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shal prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as

11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that who-the king hath said. soever, whether man or woman, shall come 91 Then went Haman forth that day joyunto the king into the inner court, who is ful and with a glad heart: but when Haman not called, there is one law of his to put him saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood to death, except such to whom the king shall not up, nor moved for him, he was full of inhold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: dignation against Mordecai. but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself; and when he came home, he sent and called 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. words.

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

14 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?

15 T Then Esther bade them return Mor-gate. decai this answer ;

14 T Then said Zeresh his wife and all his

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and fifty cubits high, and to-morrow speak thou neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: unto the king that Mordecai may be hangI also and my maidens will fast likewise; and ed thereon; then go thou in merrily with so will I go in unto the king, which is not ac- the king unto the banquet. And the thing cording to the law; and if I perish, I perish. pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows 17SoMordecai went his way,and did accord-to be made. ing to all that Esther had commanded him.

CHAP. V.

it came

on the

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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

11 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.

5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath

12 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.

13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jewsitting at the king's

CHAP. VI.

that could not the king sleep;

and he commanded to the book of records of the Chronicles; and they were read before the king.

2 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.

3 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.

41 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.)

5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

6 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 quet of wine in his wrath, went into the pal delight to do honour more than to myself?) ace-garden: and Haman stood up to make 7 And Haman answered the king, For the request for his life to Esther the queen; for man whom the king delighteth to honour, he saw that there was evil determined against 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which him by the king.

the king useth to wear, and the horse that 8 Then the king returned out of the palacethe king rideth upon, and the crown-royal garden into the place of the banquet of wine; which is set upon his head: and Haman was fallen upon the bed where

9 And let this apparel and horse be deliver-on Esther was. Then said the king, Will ed to the hand of one of the king's most no-he force the queen also before me in the ble princes, that they may array the man with- house? As the word went out of the king's al whom the king delighteth to honour, and mouth, they covered Haman's face. bring him on horseback through the street of 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall said before the king, behold also, the gal it be done to the man whom the king delight- lows, fifty cubits high, which Haman had eth to honour. made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.

10 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.

11 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.

12 1 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate: but Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

CHAP. VIII.

house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, that day did the king Ahasuerus give

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

2 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.

13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. 3 And Esther spake yet again before the Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife king, and fell down at his feet, and besought unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the him with tears to put away the mischief of Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, Haman the Agagite, and his device that he thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt had devised against the Jews. surely fall before him. 4 Then the king held out the golden scep14 And while they were yet talking with tre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood hiin, came the king's chamberlains, and hast-before the king, ed to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

CHAP. VII.

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have found 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 2 And the king said again unto Esther on the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the the second day, at the banquet of wine, What Jews which are in all the king's provinces: is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that be granted thee: and what is thy request? shall come unto my people? or how can I enand it shall be performed, even to the half of dure to see the destruction of my kindred? the kingdom. 7¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Es

3 Then Esther the queen answered and ther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, Besaid, If I have found favour in thy sight, O hold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, king, and if it please the king, let my life be and him they have hanged upon the gallows, given me at my petition, and my people at because he laid his hand upon the Jews. 8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh 4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be de- you, in the king's name, and seal it with the stroyed, to be slain, and to perish: but if we king's ring; for the writing which is written had been sold for bond-men and bond-women, in the king's name, and sealed with the king's I had held my tongue, although the enemy ring, may no man reverse.

iny request:

could not countervail the king's damage. 9 Then were the king's scribes called at 51 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and that time in the third month, that is, the said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day where is he, that durst presume in his heart thereof: and it was written according to all to do so? that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews,

6 And Esther said, The adversary and and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman rulers of the provinces which are from India was afraid before the king and the queen. unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven 7 And the king, arising from the ban-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.

10 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; 11 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,

6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

10 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. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

12 Aud the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed 12 Upon one day, in all the provinces of five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth the ten sons of Haman; what have they done day of the twelfth month, which is the month in the rest of the king's provinces ? Now, Adar. what is thy petition? and it shall be granted 13 The copy of the writing, for a com-thee: or what is thy request further? and it mandment to be given in every province, shall be done. was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

13 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.

14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the 14 And the king commanded it so to be decree was given at Shushan the palace. done: and the decree was given at Shushan; 15 And Mordecai went out from the pre-and they hanged Haman's ten sons. sence 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. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

15 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.

16 But the other Jews that were in the 17 And in every province, and in every king's provinces gathered themselves togecity, whithersoever the king's commandment ther, and stood for their lives, and had rest and his decree came, the Jews had joy and from their enemies, and slew of their foes gladness, a feast and a good day. And many seventy and five thousand (but they laid not of the people of the land became Jews; for their hands on the prey) the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

CHAP. IX.

Now,
TOW, in the twelfth month, that is, the

17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same ready, rested they, and made it a day of feasting

the same, when the king's commandment 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan and his decree drew near to be put in execu-assembled together on the thirteenth day tion, in the day that the enemies of the Jews thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and hoped to have power over them, (though it on the fifteenth day of the same they restwas turned to the contrary, that the Jews ed, and made it a day of feasting and glad had rule over them that hated them,)

ness.

2 The Jews gathered themselves together 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that in their cities, throughout all the provinces dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourof the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such teenth day of the month Adar a day of glad as sought their hurt: and no man could with-ness and feasting, and a good day, and of stand them; for the fear of them fell upon sending portions one to another. all people.

3 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.

20 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,

21 To stablish this among them, that they 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's should keep the fourteenth day of the house, and his fame went out throughout all month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed same, yearly, greater and greater.

5 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.

22 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

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