\id EST
\h Esther 
\toc3 EST 
\toc2 Esther 
\toc1 Esther 
\mt1 Esther  
\c 1
\m
\v 1 \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* what \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Xerxes, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H4427"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Cush|strong="H3568"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w sat|strong="H7675"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7969"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w reign|strong="H4427"\w*, Xerxes \w held|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w feast|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* military \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w there|strong="H6440"\w*, \w along|strong="H6440"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nobles|strong="H6579"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*.   
\m
\v 4 \w And|strong="H3967"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w full|strong="H3117"\w* 180 \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w displayed|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w glorious|strong="H8597"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* magnificent \w splendor|strong="H3519"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w greatness|strong="H1420"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 \w At|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w end|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1002"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* seven-day \w feast|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w least|strong="H6996"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w greatest|strong="H1419"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 Hangings \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* fastened \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w cords|strong="H2256"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w fine|strong="H8336"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* material \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w rings|strong="H1550"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w marble|strong="H8336"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w*. \w Gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w couches|strong="H4296"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* arranged \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w mosaic|strong="H7531"\w* \w pavement|strong="H7531"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* porphyry, \w marble|strong="H8336"\w*, \w mother-of-pearl|strong="H1858"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* other costly \w stones|strong="H7531"\w*.   
\m
\v 7 Beverages \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w served|strong="H8248"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H4428"\w* array \w of|strong="H4428"\w* goblets \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, each \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* different design, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* flowed freely, \w according|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w bounty|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\m
\v 8 \w By|strong="H5921"\w* order \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w no|strong="H6213"\w* limit \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w placed|strong="H3245"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w drinking|strong="H8360"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w official|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w household|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* serve \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w desired|strong="H7522"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* women \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes.   
\m
\v 10 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w merry|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* ordered \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w served|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*—\w Mehuman|strong="H4104"\w*, Biztha, \w Harbona|strong="H2726"\w*, Bigtha, Abagtha, \w Zethar|strong="H2242"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Carkas|strong="H3752"\w*—   
\m
\v 11 \w to|strong="H6440"\w* bring \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, wearing \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w*, \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w display|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w beauty|strong="H3308"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w behold|strong="H7200"\w*.   
\m
\v 12 \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*, however, \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w come|strong="H2534"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w brought|strong="H3027"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w became|strong="H7107"\w* \w furious|strong="H2534"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w anger|strong="H2534"\w* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* within \w him|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\m
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* consulted \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w men|strong="H2450"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w times|strong="H6256"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* customary \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* confer \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* experts \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w justice|strong="H1779"\w*.   
\m
\v 14 \w His|strong="H6440"\w* closest advisors \w were|strong="H8269"\w* \w Carshena|strong="H3771"\w*, \w Shethar|strong="H8369"\w*, Admatha, \w Tarshish|strong="H8659"\w*, \w Meres|strong="H4825"\w*, \w Marsena|strong="H4826"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w personal|strong="H6440"\w* \w access|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* ranked highest \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.   
\m
\v 15 “\w According|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*,” \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w*, “\w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*, since \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w delivered|strong="H3027"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*?”   
\m
\v 16 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*, \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* replied, “\w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w wronged|strong="H5753"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes.   
\m
\v 17 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w conduct|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w become|strong="H3318"\w* \w known|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* women, causing \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* despise \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w*, ‘\w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes ordered \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w*.’   
\m
\v 18 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* noble women \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*’s \w conduct|strong="H1697"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*, resulting \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w much|strong="H1697"\w* contempt \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w wrath|strong="H7110"\w*.   
\m
\v 19 \w So|strong="H4480"\w* if \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w issue|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w repealed|strong="H5674"\w*, \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H6440"\w* \w enter|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w position|strong="H4438"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* woman \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 20 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w edict|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* issues \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w vast|strong="H1419"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*—\w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* women, \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w least|strong="H6996"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w greatest|strong="H1419"\w*, \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w*.”   
\m
\v 21 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w were|strong="H5869"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w counsel|strong="H1697"\w*; \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* advised.   
\m
\v 22 \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4428"\w*, \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w script|strong="H3791"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*, \w proclaiming|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w master|strong="H8323"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w household|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\c 2
\m
\v 1 \w Some|strong="H1697"\w* \w time|strong="H5921"\w* later, \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w anger|strong="H2534"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w subsided|strong="H7918"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H2142"\w* \w decreed|strong="H1504"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w* proposed, “Let \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w search|strong="H1245"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,   
\m
\v 3 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w appoint|strong="H6485"\w* commissioners \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w assemble|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w* \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w beauty|strong="H4758"\w* treatments.   
\m
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w let|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w pleases|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w become|strong="H4427"\w* \w queen|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.” \w This|strong="H3651"\w* suggestion \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w accordingly|strong="H3651"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w at|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3064"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1145"\w* \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w*, \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*, \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kish|strong="H7027"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w He|strong="H3389"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w* \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w by|strong="H5973"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Babylon \w among|strong="H5973"\w* \w those|strong="H5973"\w* \w taken|strong="H1540"\w* \w captive|strong="H1540"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jeconiah|strong="H3204"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*.   
\m
\v 7 \w And|strong="H2896"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w up|strong="H3947"\w* \w Hadassah|strong="H1919"\w* (\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, Esther), \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* father \w or|strong="H2896"\w* mother. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* lovely \w in|strong="H3303"\w* \w form|strong="H8389"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w appearance|strong="H4758"\w*, \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* father \w and|strong="H2896"\w* mother \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.   
\m
\v 8 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="H8085"\w*, \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*. Esther \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w placed|strong="H3947"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H8085"\w* custodian \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w obtained|strong="H5375"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H6440"\w*, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* quickly \w provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* beauty treatments \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* special diet. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w assigned|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w select|strong="H7200"\w* maidservants \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* transferred \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w place|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\m
\v 10 Esther \w did|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* reveal \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* lineage, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w*.   
\m
\v 11 \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w forth|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w about|strong="H1980"\w* Esther’s \w welfare|strong="H7965"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* happening \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\m
\v 12 \w In|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w before|strong="H3117"\w* \w her|strong="H4390"\w* \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* harem regulation \w required|strong="H3117"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w receive|strong="H1961"\w* beauty treatments \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w myrrh|strong="H4753"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H1961"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* perfumes \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w another|strong="H2320"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w*.   
\m
\v 13 \w When|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w go|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w she|strong="H5704"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* requested \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w take|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\m
\v 14 \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H2654"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w there|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H2654"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Shaashgaz|strong="H8190"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H2654"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w unless|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.   
\m
\v 15 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Abihail, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w* \w from|strong="H3947"\w* \w whom|strong="H5869"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* adopted \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w ask|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w except|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s trusted \w official|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w charge|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* harem, \w had|strong="H1961"\w* advised. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w found|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\m
\v 16 \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tebeth|strong="H2887"\w*, \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7651"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w reign|strong="H4438"\w*.   
\m
\v 17 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* loved Esther more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w found|strong="H5375"\w* \w grace|strong="H2580"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H6440"\w* more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w*. \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w placed|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w* \w upon|strong="H6440"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.   
\m
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w*, Esther’s \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w*, \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* proclaimed \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tax|strong="H4864"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2010"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4864"\w* worthy \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w bounty|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\m
\v 19 \w When|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w were|strong="H3427"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6908"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w time|strong="H8145"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.   
\m
\v 20 Esther \w still|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* revealed \w her|strong="H5046"\w* lineage \w or|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* obeyed \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w command|strong="H6680"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w under|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w care|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 21 \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w while|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, Bigthan \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w guarded|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w entrance|strong="H8179"\w*, grew \w angry|strong="H7107"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* conspired \w to|strong="H7971"\w* assassinate \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes.   
\m
\v 22 \w When|strong="H3045"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w plot|strong="H1697"\w*, \w he|strong="H4428"\w* \w reported|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* she \w informed|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w behalf|strong="H8034"\w*.   
\m
\v 23 \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* verified, \w both|strong="H8147"\w* officials \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Chronicles|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\c 3
\m
\v 1 \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w these|strong="H7760"\w* \w events|strong="H1697"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes honored \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, elevating \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w position|strong="H3678"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w bowed|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w paid|strong="H7812"\w* \w homage|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H6680"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* pay \w homage|strong="H7812"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* asked \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* do \w you|strong="H4428"\w* disobey \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w command|strong="H4687"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*?”   
\m
\v 4 \w Day|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* warned \w him|strong="H5046"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* comply. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w reported|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w whether|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s behavior \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* tolerated, \w since|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* would \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w or|strong="H7200"\w* pay \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w homage|strong="H7812"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H2001"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w And|strong="H7971"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* learned \w the|strong="H3605"\w* identity \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* scorned \w the|strong="H3605"\w* notion \w of|strong="H3027"\w* laying \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* alone. \w Instead|strong="H3588"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Xerxes.   
\m
\v 7 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nisan|strong="H5212"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Pur|strong="H6332"\w* (\w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w*) \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* determine \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar.   
\m
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* informed \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, “\w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* certain \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w scattered|strong="H6340"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w dispersed|strong="H6504"\w* \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* different \w from|strong="H5971"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w else|strong="H3605"\w*’s, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w laws|strong="H1881"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s best \w interest|strong="H7737"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* tolerate \w them|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 If \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, let \w a|strong="H3068"\w* decree \w be|strong="H3027"\w* issued \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w destroy|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* deposit \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w talents|strong="H3603"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* treasury \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w carry|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\m
\v 10 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w finger|strong="H2885"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Agagite, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 11 “\w Keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w*,” said \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. “\w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w please|strong="H2896"\w*.”   
\m
\v 12 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w order|strong="H6680"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w exactly|strong="H6680"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* satraps, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w script|strong="H3791"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w It|strong="H7121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*.   
\m
\v 13 \w And|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w order|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* annihilate \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*—\w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w*, \w women|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*—\w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w possessions|strong="H7998"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*.   
\m
\v 14 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w text|strong="H3791"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edict|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w published|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w ready|strong="H6264"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\m
\v 15 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w*, spurred \w on|strong="H3427"\w* \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w but|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* confusion.   
\c 4
\m
\v 1 \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w happened|strong="H6213"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w clothes|strong="H3847"\w*, \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* ashes, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w middle|strong="H8432"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w wailing|strong="H2199"\w* \w loudly|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w bitterly|strong="H4751"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* law prohibited \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* wearing \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* entering \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 \w In|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w came|strong="H5060"\w*, \w there|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w mourning|strong="H4553"\w* \w among|strong="H7227"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w They|strong="H1697"\w* fasted, \w wept|strong="H1065"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* lamented, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w lay|strong="H3331"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* ashes.   
\m
\v 4 \w When|strong="H7971"\w* Esther’s \w maidens|strong="H5291"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w came|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w was|strong="H5291"\w* overcome \w with|strong="H3847"\w* distress. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w clothes|strong="H3847"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w wear|strong="H3847"\w* \w instead|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H5493"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w accept|strong="H6901"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* Esther \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w*, \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w appointed|strong="H5975"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H7121"\w* dispatched \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* troubling \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*,   
\m
\v 7 \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w including|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w exact|strong="H6575"\w* \w amount|strong="H6575"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* promised \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* treasury \w in|strong="H5921"\w* order \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 8 Mordecai \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* Hathach \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* written \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w destruction|strong="H8045"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Jews, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w explain|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Esther, \w urging|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* approach \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w implore|strong="H2603"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w favor|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w plead|strong="H1245"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w went|strong="H1697"\w* back \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w relayed|strong="H5046"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s response \w to|strong="H1697"\w* Esther.   
\m
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H6680"\w* Esther spoke \w to|strong="H6680"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w and|strong="H2047"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H6680"\w* tell \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*,   
\m
\v 11 “\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w officials|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* applies \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* approaches \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w inner|strong="H6442"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w being|strong="H5971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w*—\w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*. \w Only|strong="H3605"\w* if \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* extends \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w may|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* appear \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* past \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.”   
\m
\v 12 When Esther’s \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w relayed|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*,   
\m
\v 13 \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w reply|strong="H7725"\w*: “\w Do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H7725"\w* \w imagine|strong="H1819"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w because|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w alone|strong="H4422"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w escape|strong="H4422"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* fate \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 14 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w remain|strong="H5975"\w* \w silent|strong="H2790"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w relief|strong="H7305"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w deliverance|strong="H2020"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w arise|strong="H5975"\w* \w from|strong="H3064"\w* another \w place|strong="H4725"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* father’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* perish. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w perhaps|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*?”   
\m
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* Esther \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w reply|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*:   
\m
\v 16 “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w assemble|strong="H3664"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* eat \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w maidens|strong="H5291"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w*. \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though|strong="H1571"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w if|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* perish, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* perish!”   
\m
\v 17 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 5
\m
\v 1 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, Esther \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w robes|strong="H4438"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w inner|strong="H6442"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w across|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w quarters|strong="H1004"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* courtroom, \w facing|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w As|strong="H1961"\w* \w soon|strong="H7126"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*, she \w found|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*. \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w extended|strong="H3447"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w toward|strong="H3027"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* she \w approached|strong="H7126"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* tip \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*, \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther?” \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* inquired. “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w Even|strong="H5704"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.”   
\m
\v 4 “If \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,” Esther replied, “\w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* come \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\m
\v 5 “\w Hurry|strong="H4116"\w*,” commanded \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w requested|strong="H1697"\w*.” \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w drank|strong="H4960"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Esther, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w Even|strong="H5704"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\m
\v 7 Esther \w replied|strong="H6030"\w*, “This is \w my|strong="H6030"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w* \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w my|strong="H6030"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*:   
\m
\v 8 If \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* if \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w grant|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w fulfill|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*, \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w come|strong="H4279"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w answer|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w question|strong="H1697"\w*.”   
\m
\v 9 \w That|strong="H7200"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w joy|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w glad|strong="H8056"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, however, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rise|strong="H6965"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w tremble|strong="H2111"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* fear \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w presence|strong="H5921"\w*. \w And|strong="H6965"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.   
\m
\v 10 Nevertheless, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* restrained himself \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w went|strong="H1004"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w And|strong="H7971"\w* calling \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* friends \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w*,   
\m
\v 11 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w recounted|strong="H5608"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w glorious|strong="H3519"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w*, \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w many|strong="H7230"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ways \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w honored|strong="H3519"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*.   
\m
\v 12 “\w What|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w more|strong="H3808"\w*,” \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* added, “\w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w join|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* back \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\m
\v 13 \w Yet|strong="H6256"\w* \w none|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* satisfies \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* \w long|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.”   
\m
\v 14 \w His|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Have|strong="H1697"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w build|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* cubits \w high|strong="H1364"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w go|strong="H3190"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* enjoy \w yourself|strong="H6213"\w*.” \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w constructed|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\c 6
\m
\v 1 \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w* escaped \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*; \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* ordered \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Records|strong="H1697"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Chronicles|strong="H1697"\w*, \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w And|strong="H7971"\w* \w there|strong="H4672"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* exposed Bigthana \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w guarded|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s entrance, \w when|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* conspired \w to|strong="H7971"\w* assassinate \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes.   
\m
\v 3 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* inquired, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w dignity|strong="H1420"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w bestowed|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w act|strong="H6213"\w*?” “\w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*,” replied \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w*.   
\m
\v 4 “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*?” \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* asked. \w Now|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* just entered \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w outer|strong="H2435"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H3559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 \w So|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w* answered \w him|strong="H5975"\w*, “\w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w there|strong="H2009"\w*, \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*.” “Bring \w him|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w*,” ordered \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* entered, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w man|strong="H3820"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*?” \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w Whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*?”   
\m
\v 7 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* told \w the|strong="H2001"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w For|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H2001"\w* man whom \w the|strong="H2001"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*,   
\m
\v 8 \w have|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w bring|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w worn|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w ridden|strong="H7392"\w*—\w one|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H3847"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* crest \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H5414"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w entrusted|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w most|strong="H4428"\w* \w noble|strong="H6579"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w array|strong="H3847"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wants \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* parade \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w proclaiming|strong="H7121"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘\w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!’”   
\m
\v 10 “\w Hurry|strong="H4116"\w*,” \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w proposed|strong="H1697"\w*. \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w neglect|strong="H5307"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* suggested.”   
\m
\v 11 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w arrayed|strong="H3847"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* paraded \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w through|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w crying|strong="H7121"\w* \w out|strong="H3947"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H5892"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H5892"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H5892"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!”   
\m
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* rushed \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* grief.   
\m
\v 13 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w told|strong="H5608"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w*. \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w advisers|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* said \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Since|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w downfall|strong="H5307"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w*, \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3064"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w prevail|strong="H3201"\w* \w against|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*—\w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.”   
\m
\v 14 \w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w arrived|strong="H5060"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* rushed \w him|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\c 7
\m
\v 1 So \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* dine \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*,   
\m
\v 2 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w drank|strong="H4960"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w once|strong="H3117"\w* \w more|strong="H8145"\w*, “\w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\m
\v 3 \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w replied|strong="H6030"\w*, “If \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* if \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w grant|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*.   
\m
\v 4 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* out \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w destruction|strong="H8045"\w*, death, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* annihilation. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* merely \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w menservants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w maidservants|strong="H8198"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w remained|strong="H2790"\w* \w silent|strong="H2790"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* no such \w distress|strong="H6862"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* justify burdening \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\m
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes spoke \w up|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* asked \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w where|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* devise \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* scheme?”   
\m
\v 6 Esther replied, “\w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w adversary|strong="H6862"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6862"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w man|strong="H7451"\w*—\w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*!” \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stood|strong="H2001"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* terror \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*.   
\m
\v 7 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w fury|strong="H2534"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w drinking|strong="H4960"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1055"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w*, \w while|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stayed|strong="H5975"\w* \w behind|strong="H5975"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w beg|strong="H1245"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* planning \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w terrible|strong="H7451"\w* fate \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 8 \w Just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w hall|strong="H1004"\w*, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w falling|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w couch|strong="H4296"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1697"\w* reclining. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* exclaimed, “\w Would|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* actually \w assault|strong="H3533"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w while|strong="H5973"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* am \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*?” \w As|strong="H1697"\w* soon \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w face|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\m
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Harbonah|strong="H2726"\w*, \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* attending \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w said|strong="H1696"\w*: “\w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* cubits \w high|strong="H1364"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w built|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w report|strong="H1696"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* saved \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.” “\w Hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*!” \w declared|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\m
\v 10 \w So|strong="H3559"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H3559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fury|strong="H2534"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w subsided|strong="H7918"\w*.   
\c 8
\m
\v 1 \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes awarded \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w estate|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* entered \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* revealed \w his|strong="H5414"\w* relation \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* recovered \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w presented|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w appointed|strong="H5414"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w estate|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w once|strong="H3254"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*, Esther addressed \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w begged|strong="H2603"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* revoke \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w scheme|strong="H4284"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Agagite, \w which|strong="H3064"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w devised|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 4 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w extended|strong="H3447"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w toward|strong="H6440"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\m
\v 5 “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w pleases|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,” \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w seems|strong="H3605"\w* \w proper|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* am \w pleasing|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*, \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H4672"\w* \w order|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w revoke|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* scheming \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* bear \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w befall|strong="H4672"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*? \w How|strong="H3588"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* bear \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w destruction|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w kindred|strong="H4138"\w*?”   
\m
\v 7 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes said \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, “\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w estate|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w attacked|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\m
\v 8 \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H7725"\w* \w write|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w please|strong="H2896"\w* \w regarding|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w seal|strong="H2856"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w decree|strong="H3791"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* cannot \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w revoked|strong="H7725"\w*.”   
\m
\v 9 \w At|strong="H2320"\w* once \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w on|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twenty-third|strong="H6242"\w* \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sivan|strong="H5510"\w*), \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w orders|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* satraps, \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Cush|strong="H3568"\w*—\w writing|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* script, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* script \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*.   
\m
\v 10 \w Mordecai|strong="H3789"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w it|strong="H8034"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w documents|strong="H5612"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w mounted|strong="H7392"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w swift|strong="H7409"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* bred \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* mares.   
\m
\v 11 \w By|strong="H5921"\w* \w these|strong="H5971"\w* letters \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w permitted|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w assemble|strong="H6950"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* annihilate \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w forces|strong="H6696"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w or|strong="H5892"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* hostile \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w including|strong="H3605"\w* women \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w possessions|strong="H7998"\w*.   
\m
\v 12 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* single \w day|strong="H3117"\w* appointed \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar.   
\m
\v 13 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w text|strong="H3791"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edict|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w published|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* ready \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w avenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* enemies.   
\m
\v 14 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* haste \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H7409"\w*, pressed \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*.   
\m
\v 15 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w garments|strong="H3830"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w*, \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w crown|strong="H5850"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* fine linen. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w shouted|strong="H6670"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w rejoiced|strong="H8055"\w*.   
\m
\v 16 \w For|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w it|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w of|strong="H8057"\w* light \w and|strong="H8057"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w of|strong="H8057"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H8057"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*.   
\m
\v 17 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w reached|strong="H5060"\w*, \w there|strong="H3117"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* celebrating. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w themselves|strong="H2896"\w* \w became|strong="H1697"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fear|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 9
\m
\v 1 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w executed|strong="H6213"\w*. \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w hoped|strong="H7663"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* overpower \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w plan|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w overturned|strong="H2015"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* overpowered \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.   
\m
\v 2 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* attack \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w man|strong="H7451"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w withstand|strong="H5975"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fear|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\m
\v 3 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* satraps, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s administrators \w helped|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fear|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 4 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* exercised \w great|strong="H1419"\w* power \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w fame|strong="H8089"\w* \w spread|strong="H1980"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w became|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H1419"\w* powerful.   
\m
\v 5 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w put|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*, \w killing|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* destroying \w them|strong="H5221"\w*, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H7522"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w*.   
\m
\v 6 \w In|strong="H1002"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H1002"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2026"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men,   
\m
\v 7 including \w Parshandatha|strong="H6577"\w*, \w Dalphon|strong="H1813"\w*, Aspatha,   
\m
\v 8 \w Poratha|strong="H6334"\w*, Adalia, Aridatha,   
\m
\v 9 \w Parmashta|strong="H6534"\w*, Arisai, Aridai, and \w Vaizatha|strong="H2055"\w*.   
\m
\v 10 \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w these|strong="H7971"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* plunder.   
\m
\v 11 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w number|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* reported \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,   
\m
\v 12 \w who|strong="H1121"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, “\w In|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2026"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, \w including|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*? \w Now|strong="H5414"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w And|strong="H3967"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w further|strong="H5750"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\m
\v 13 Esther replied, “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w carry|strong="H6213"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* bodies \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*.”   
\m
\v 14 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* commanded \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w An|strong="H6213"\w* \w edict|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*.   
\m
\v 15 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar, \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w came|strong="H7969"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w again|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w put|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* death \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men \w there|strong="H3117"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* plunder.   
\m
\v 16 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w rid|strong="H7971"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 75,000 \w who|strong="H5315"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* plunder.   
\m
\v 17 \w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w*, \w making|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*.   
\m
\v 18 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, however, \w had|strong="H3064"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* month. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fifteenth|strong="H2568"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w making|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*.   
\m
\v 19 \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rural|strong="H6521"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w villages|strong="H6519"\w*, \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4490"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*.   
\m
\v 20 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w events|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w near|strong="H7138"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w*,   
\m
\v 21 \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w annual|strong="H8141"\w* celebration \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w fifteenth|strong="H2568"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar   
\m
\v 22 \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* gained \w rest|strong="H5117"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* enemies \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w sorrow|strong="H3015"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* mourning \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* wrote \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4979"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* poor.   
\m
\v 23 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* agreed \w to|strong="H6213"\w* continue \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w custom|strong="H6901"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w started|strong="H2490"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\m
\v 24 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w plotted|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Pur|strong="H6332"\w* (\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w*) \w to|strong="H5921"\w* crush \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\m
\v 25 \w But|strong="H7725"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w he|strong="H5921"\w* commanded \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w letter|strong="H5612"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w scheme|strong="H4284"\w* \w which|strong="H3064"\w* Haman \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w devised|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*.   
\m
\v 26 \w Therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w these|strong="H2063"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*, \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w Pur|strong="H6332"\w*. \w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w instructions|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* letter, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3117"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* experienced,   
\m
\v 27 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* bound \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w custom|strong="H6901"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w join|strong="H3867"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H8141"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w fail|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w celebrate|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w regulation|strong="H3791"\w*.   
\m
\v 28 \w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H5674"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w*, \w family|strong="H4940"\w*, \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w fail|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w observed|strong="H6213"\w* \w among|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w memory|strong="H2143"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w fade|strong="H5486"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*.   
\m
\v 29 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Abihail, \w along|strong="H6965"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* \w full|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H8633"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w confirm|strong="H6965"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* letter \w concerning|strong="H3605"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*.   
\m
\v 30 \w And|strong="H3967"\w* Mordecai \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* truth \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Xerxes,   
\m
\v 31 \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w order|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w confirm|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H6965"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w appointed|strong="H2165"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w committed|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6685"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* lamentation.   
\m
\v 32 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* Esther’s \w decree|strong="H1697"\w* \w confirmed|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w regulations|strong="H3789"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*, \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w into|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w record|strong="H3789"\w*.   
\c 10
\m
\v 1 \w Now|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes imposed \w tribute|strong="H4522"\w* \w throughout|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land, \w even|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* farthest shores.   
\m
\v 2 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s powerful \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w magnificent|strong="H1431"\w* \w accomplishments|strong="H4639"\w*, \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w full|strong="H3117"\w* \w account|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w greatness|strong="H1420"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w raised|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Chronicles|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*?   
\m
\v 3 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w second|strong="H4932"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, preeminent \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* highly \w favored|strong="H7521"\w* \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w many|strong="H7230"\w* kinsmen, \w seeking|strong="H1875"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* countrymen.