\id EST World English Bible (WEB) 
\ide UTF-8
\h Esther 
\toc1 The Book of Esther 
\toc2 Esther 
\toc3 Est 
\mt2 The Book of  
\mt1 Esther  
\c 1  
\p
\v 1 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Ahasuerus (\w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* Ahasuerus \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w reigned|strong="H4427"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w*, \w over|strong="H4427"\w* \w one|strong="H1931"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*),  
\v 2 \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w sat|strong="H7675"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1002"\w*,  
\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*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|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 princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2426"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\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* \w being|strong="H4427"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 4 \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w displayed|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w glorious|strong="H3519"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w honor|strong="H3519"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w excellent|strong="H8597"\w* \w majesty|strong="H1420"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, even \w one|strong="H7200"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w eighty|strong="H8084"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w fulfilled|strong="H4390"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \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 who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w present|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1002"\w*, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w small|strong="H6996"\w*, \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w palace|strong="H1002"\w*.  
\v 6 There \w were|strong="H5921"\w* hangings \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* material, fastened \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w cords|strong="H2256"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w fine|strong="H8336"\w* \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w rings|strong="H1550"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w marble|strong="H8336"\w* \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w couches|strong="H4296"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pavement|strong="H7531"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* red, \w white|strong="H2353"\w*, yellow, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w black|strong="H5508"\w* \w marble|strong="H8336"\w*.  
\v 7 \w They|strong="H3027"\w* \w gave|strong="H8248"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w drinks|strong="H8248"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w vessels|strong="H3627"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* various \w kinds|strong="H3627"\w*, \w including|strong="H4428"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w abundance|strong="H7227"\w*, \w according|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w bounty|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 8 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w accordance|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w drinking|strong="H8360"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* compulsory; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w instructed|strong="H3245"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* officials \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*’s \w pleasure|strong="H7522"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 \w Also|strong="H1571"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w feast|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 house|strong="H1004"\w* \w which|strong="H1004"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.   
\p
\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 heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\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* commanded \w Mehuman|strong="H4104"\w*, Biztha, \w Harbona|strong="H2726"\w*, Bigtha, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Abagtha, \w Zethar|strong="H2242"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Carcass, \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 in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*,  
\v 11 \w to|strong="H6440"\w* bring \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wearing \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w*, \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w beauty|strong="H3308"\w*; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w*.  
\v 12 \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H3985"\w* \w come|strong="H2534"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*. Therefore \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w anger|strong="H2534"\w* \w burned|strong="H1197"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \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* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w custom|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* consult \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w judgment|strong="H1779"\w*;  
\v 14 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w next|strong="H7138"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \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 saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w face|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*),  
\v 15 “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*, \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* bidding \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*?”   
\p
\v 16 \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* answered \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*, “\w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H5753"\w* \w wrong|strong="H5753"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.  
\v 17 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w deed|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* show contempt \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w reported|strong="H3318"\w*, ‘\w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus commanded \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* didn’t \w come|strong="H3318"\w*.’  
\v 18 \w Today|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princesses|strong="H8282"\w* \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="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*’s \w deed|strong="H1697"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w tell|strong="H8085"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w cause|strong="H1697"\w* \w much|strong="H1697"\w* contempt \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w wrath|strong="H7110"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 “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 a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Persians|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Medes|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 altered|strong="H5674"\w*, \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H6440"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w estate|strong="H4438"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w another|strong="H7468"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 20 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w decree|strong="H6599"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w published|strong="H8085"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* (\w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w*), \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wives \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w small|strong="H6996"\w*.”   
\p
\v 21 \w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* according \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w*:  
\v 22 \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w into|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w into|strong="H1961"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* according \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w writing|strong="H3791"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w rule|strong="H8323"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w*, \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wrath|strong="H2534"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w pacified|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 was|strong="H1697"\w* \w decreed|strong="H1504"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w served|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H1245"\w* said, “Let \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w appoint|strong="H6485"\w* \w officers|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H2896"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w custody|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 keeper|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*;  
\v 4 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w maiden|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w pleases|strong="H3190"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w queen|strong="H4427"\w* \w instead|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.” \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w*.   
\p
\v 5 \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* certain \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w the|strong="H1961"\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*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Benjamite|strong="H1145"\w*,  
\v 6 \w who|strong="H3063"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w away|strong="H1540"\w* \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w captives|strong="H1540"\w* \w who|strong="H3063"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w away|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*, whom \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Babylon \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w away|strong="H1540"\w*.  
\v 7 \w He|strong="H1931"\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 his|strong="H3947"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w*’s \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* neither father \w nor|strong="H3588"\w* mother. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w maiden|strong="H5291"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w fair|strong="H3303"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H3303"\w*; \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* father \w and|strong="H2896"\w* mother \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w dead|strong="H4194"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.   
\p
\v 8 \w So|strong="H3947"\w*, \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w maidens|strong="H5291"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w custody|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, Esther \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w into|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w custody|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w keeper|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w*.  
\v 9 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w maiden|strong="H5291"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w obtained|strong="H5375"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* quickly \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w portions|strong="H4490"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w food|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w choice|strong="H2896"\w* \w maidens|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H5869"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* moved \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w maidens|strong="H5291"\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 women|strong="H5291"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 10 Esther \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w made|strong="H5046"\w* \w known|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w relatives|strong="H4138"\w*, \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 that|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w known|strong="H5046"\w*.  
\v 11 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\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* women’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w become|strong="H1980"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\p
\v 12 \w Each|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w*’s \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w after|strong="H7093"\w* \w her|strong="H4390"\w* \w purification|strong="H8562"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* (\w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H4390"\w* \w purification|strong="H8562"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H4390"\w*, \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w myrrh|strong="H4753"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w sweet|strong="H1314"\w* fragrances \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* preparations \w for|strong="H3588"\w* beautifying \w women|strong="H5291"\w*).  
\v 13 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*: \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* desired \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w go|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 14 \w In|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w next|strong="H3027"\w* \w day|strong="H1242"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* women’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w custody|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 who|strong="H1931"\w* \w kept|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w*, \w unless|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w delighted|strong="H2654"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.   
\p
\v 15 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Esther, \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 of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*, \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w required|strong="H1245"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w keeper|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w*, advised. Esther \w obtained|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\p
\v 16 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w into|strong="H3947"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\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*.  
\v 17 \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 women|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w obtained|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w kindness|strong="H2617"\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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w*; \w so|strong="H5375"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w* \w on|strong="H7760"\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 instead|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w feast|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*, \w even|strong="H6213"\w* Esther’s \w feast|strong="H4960"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* proclaimed \w a|strong="H3068"\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* \w according|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w bounty|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 \w When|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w were|strong="H3427"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\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 in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 20 Esther \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w yet|strong="H5921"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w known|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w relatives|strong="H4138"\w* nor \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w*; \w for|strong="H5921"\w* Esther obeyed \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H6213"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\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 in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\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*, Bigthan \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w doorkeepers|strong="H8104"\w*, \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.  
\v 22 \w This|strong="H1697"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w became|strong="H1697"\w* \w known|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w informed|strong="H3045"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w informed|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.  
\v 23 \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w so|strong="H1697"\w*, \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w these|strong="H7760"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w advanced|strong="H5375"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w seat|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*.  
\v 2 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w in|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 for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w concerning|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6680"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* didn’t \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* pay \w him|strong="H6680"\w* \w homage|strong="H7812"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* do \w you|strong="H4428"\w* disobey \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H4687"\w*?”  
\v 4 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w*, \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1697"\w* \w daily|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* didn’t \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\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 \w reason|strong="H1697"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w*; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\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* didn’t \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w nor|strong="H3588"\w* pay \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w homage|strong="H7812"\w*, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H2001"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H4390"\w* \w wrath|strong="H2534"\w*.  
\v 6 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* scorned \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thought|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* laying \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* alone, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H3605"\w* \w known|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Therefore|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Ahasuerus, \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w Nisan|strong="H5212"\w*, \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* Ahasuerus, \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\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 before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* chose \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* Adar.  
\v 8 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, “\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 abroad|strong="H6504"\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 in|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* different \w from|strong="H5971"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*’s. \w They|strong="H5971"\w* don’t \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w laws|strong="H1881"\w*. \w Therefore|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w profit|strong="H7737"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w allow|strong="H3240"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* remain.  
\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 it|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* destroyed; \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w talents|strong="H3603"\w*\f + \fr 3:9 \ft A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds or 965 Troy ounces\f* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w business|strong="H4399"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w treasuries|strong="H1595"\w*.”   
\p
\v 10 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\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 the|strong="H5921"\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 Jews|strong="H3064"\w*’ \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w*.  
\v 11 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w also|strong="H6213"\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 it|strong="H5414"\w* \w seems|strong="H2896"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \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 month|strong="H2320"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s local \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w writing|strong="H3791"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\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* Ahasuerus, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*.  
\v 13 \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 into|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* cause \w to|strong="H5704"\w* perish, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w*, \w little|strong="H2945"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w women|strong="H2205"\w*, \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\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 which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* Adar, \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*.  
\v 14 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w published|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w ready|strong="H6264"\w* \w against|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 15 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* haste \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\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 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* perplexed.   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1 \w Now|strong="H1419"\w* \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w found|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w clothes|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w with|strong="H3847"\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 and|strong="H1419"\w* \w wailed|strong="H2199"\w* \w loudly|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w bitterly|strong="H4751"\w*.  
\v 2 \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* allowed \w inside|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w clothed|strong="H3830"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*.  
\v 3 \w In|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w wherever|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w came|strong="H5060"\w*, \w there|strong="H3605"\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 and|strong="H4428"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6685"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w wailing|strong="H4553"\w*; \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.   
\p
\v 4 Esther’s \w maidens|strong="H5291"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|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 this|strong="H5046"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w was|strong="H3966"\w* \w exceedingly|strong="H3966"\w* \w grieved|strong="H2342"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3847"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w to|strong="H7971"\w* replace \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* didn’t \w receive|strong="H6901"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* Esther \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\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 whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w appointed|strong="H5975"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w attend|strong="H6440"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\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 to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w* \w which|strong="H5892"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 7 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\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 and|strong="H3701"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w exact|strong="H6575"\w* \w sum|strong="H6575"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\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 to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w treasuries|strong="H1595"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* destruction \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 8 \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w writing|strong="H3791"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w declare|strong="H5046"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* urge \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w supplication|strong="H2603"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|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*.   
\p
\v 9 \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w came|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.  
\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 gave|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6680"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* message \w to|strong="H6680"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*:  
\v 11 “\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|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 whoever|strong="H3605"\w*, \w whether|strong="H3045"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w*, \w comes|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w into|strong="H2088"\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 called|strong="H7121"\w*, \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|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 except|strong="H3808"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w whom|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w might|strong="H5971"\w* hold \w out|strong="H3447"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*, \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w may|strong="H5971"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w come|strong="H2421"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12 \w They|strong="H1697"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Esther’s \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* asked \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w answer|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Esther: “Don’t \w think|strong="H1819"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w yourself|strong="H5315"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w escape|strong="H4422"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\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 now|strong="H3588"\w*, \w then|strong="H5975"\w* \w relief|strong="H7305"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w deliverance|strong="H2020"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\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 Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* haven’t \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*?”   
\p
\v 15 \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* Esther asked \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w answer|strong="H7725"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*,  
\v 16 “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w gather|strong="H3664"\w* \w together|strong="H3664"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w present|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 and|strong="H4428"\w* \w neither|strong="H3808"\w* eat \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\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 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 also|strong="H1571"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H3651"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w which|strong="H3064"\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.”  
\v 17 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H5674"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5674"\w*, \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \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 clothing|strong="H3847"\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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w sat|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* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w next|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 2 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*, she \w obtained|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w sight|strong="H5869"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w out|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* Esther \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w near|strong="H7126"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w top|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*.   
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w would|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w like|strong="H5704"\w*, \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.”   
\p
\v 4 Esther said, “If \w it|strong="H5921"\w* seems \w good|strong="H2895"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, let \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="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|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 came|strong="H1697"\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*.   
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Esther \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\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 shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\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 to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w performed|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* Esther \w answered|strong="H6030"\w* \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w said|strong="H6030"\w*, “\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* is this.  
\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 to|strong="H6213"\w* \w perform|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\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 to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\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 and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w joyful|strong="H8056"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w glad|strong="H8056"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* didn’t \w stand|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* move \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w wrath|strong="H2534"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.  
\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*. There, \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* called \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* friends \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* wife.  
\v 11 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w recounted|strong="H5608"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w glory|strong="H3519"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w multitude|strong="H7230"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w how|strong="H5608"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w advanced|strong="H5375"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\p
\v 12 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Yes|strong="H3588"\w*, Esther \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* man \w come|strong="H4279"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w myself|strong="H1571"\w*; \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w by|strong="H7121"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w* \w together|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Yet|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* avails \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w*, \w so|strong="H2088"\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*.”   
\p
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Let|strong="H8056"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* cubits\f + \fr 5:14 \ft A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man’s arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters.\f* \w high|strong="H1364"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w speak|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w go|strong="H3190"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w merrily|strong="H8056"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w*.” \w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* couldn’t \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* commanded \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w records|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\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 and|strong="H4428"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 2 \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* 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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*, \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w doorkeepers|strong="H8104"\w*, \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.  
\v 3 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w dignity|strong="H1420"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w given|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?”  
\p \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w attended|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\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*.”   
\p
\v 4 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\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 Now|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* come \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* speak \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\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*.   
\p
\v 5 \w The|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w him|strong="H5975"\w*, “\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w*,\f + \fr 6:5 \ft “Behold”, from “\+wh הִנֵּה\+wh*”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.\f* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stands|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*.”  
\p \w The|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “Let \w him|strong="H5975"\w* \w come|strong="H5288"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w*.”  
\v 6 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w*. \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|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 delights|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*?”  
\p \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* said \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w delight|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*?”  
\v 7 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \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 delights|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*,  
\v 8 \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w brought|strong="H5414"\w* \w which|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* uses \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w wear|strong="H3847"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w rides|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w which|strong="H5483"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w set|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 9 \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w delivered|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\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 that|strong="H5414"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w array|strong="H3847"\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 delights|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w with|strong="H3847"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w horseback|strong="H5483"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w proclaim|strong="H7121"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘\w Thus|strong="H3602"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\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 delights|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w Hurry|strong="H4116"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w sits|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 Let|strong="H3651"\w* \w nothing|strong="H1697"\w* \w fail|strong="H5307"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1696"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11 \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w arrayed|strong="H3847"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w ride|strong="H7392"\w* \w through|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w square|strong="H7339"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="H7121"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Thus|strong="H3602"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\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 delights|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!”   
\p
\v 12 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|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* \w hurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, mourning \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w having|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w*.  
\v 13 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w recounted|strong="H5608"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \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 to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5307"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w men|strong="H2450"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife said \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w*, \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3064"\w* \w descent|strong="H2233"\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 but|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.”  
\v 14 \w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* \w yet|strong="H5750"\w* \w talking|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w came|strong="H5060"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* hurried \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w bring|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\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  
\p
\v 1 So \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w banquet|strong="H8354"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*.  
\v 2 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w again|strong="H8145"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Esther \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*, \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\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 to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w performed|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w answered|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 let|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w be|strong="H5315"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*.  
\v 4 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5650"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H8045"\w*, \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5650"\w* \w slain|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* perish. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w male|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w female|strong="H8198"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w peace|strong="H2790"\w*, \w although|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w adversary|strong="H6862"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* compensated \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s loss.”   
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w said|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w where|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* dared \w presume|strong="H4390"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w*?”   
\p
\v 6 Esther said, “\w An|strong="H6440"\w* \w adversary|strong="H6862"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H6440"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6862"\w*, even \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*!”  
\p \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w afraid|strong="H1204"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*.  
\v 7 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w wrath|strong="H2534"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1055"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w make|strong="H7200"\w* \w request|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H5975"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w determined|strong="H3615"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w into|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w place|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*; \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w couch|strong="H4296"\w* \w where|strong="H5921"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1697"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Will|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w assault|strong="H3533"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*?” \w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\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*.   
\p
\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* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1571"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Behold|strong="H2009"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w fifty|strong="H2572"\w* cubits\f + \fr 7:9 \ft A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man’s arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters.\f* \w high|strong="H1364"\w*, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*.”  
\p \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*!”   
\p
\v 10 \w So|strong="H5921"\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 that|strong="H4428"\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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w wrath|strong="H2534"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w pacified|strong="H7918"\w*.   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*’ \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 2 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H5493"\w* \w off|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*, \w which|strong="H1004"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w taken|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. Esther \w set|strong="H7760"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*.   
\p
\v 3 Esther \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w yet|strong="H3254"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w begged|strong="H2603"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w tears|strong="H1058"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w put|strong="H3254"\w* \w away|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w mischief|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Agagite, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w plan|strong="H2803"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w planned|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w out|strong="H3447"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*. \w So|strong="H6965"\w* Esther \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*.  
\v 5 \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\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 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 thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w seems|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H3787"\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 eyes|strong="H5869"\w*, \w let|strong="H7725"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w reverse|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w devised|strong="H4284"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \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 who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\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*.  
\v 6 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w endure|strong="H3201"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w come|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*? \w How|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w endure|strong="H3201"\w* \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 relatives|strong="H4138"\w*?”   
\p
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H2009"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus said \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, “\w See|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\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 laid|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 8 \w Write|strong="H3789"\w* \w also|strong="H8034"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w pleases|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*; \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w writing|strong="H3791"\w* \w which|strong="H3064"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|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 and|strong="H7725"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*, \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* reversed \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w any|strong="H3588"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w at|strong="H2320"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w Sivan|strong="H5510"\w*, \w on|strong="H3789"\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 month|strong="H2320"\w*; \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* according \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w commanded|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* local \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \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* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w*, \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* according \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w writing|strong="H3789"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \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 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 writing|strong="H3789"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*.  
\v 10 \w He|strong="H3027"\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* Ahasuerus, \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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w courier|strong="H7323"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w horseback|strong="H5483"\w*, \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* bred \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w swift|strong="H7409"\w* \w steeds|strong="H7409"\w*.  
\v 11 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* letters, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w gather|strong="H6950"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w*—\w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w cause|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* perish \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* power \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w assault|strong="H6696"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*, \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w little|strong="H2945"\w* \w ones|strong="H2945"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* women, \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*,  
\v 12 \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\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* Ahasuerus, \w on|strong="H3117"\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 which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* Adar.  
\v 13 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w published|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* ready \w for|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.  
\v 14 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H7409"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*, \w hastened|strong="H1765"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* pressed \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w by|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\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*.   
\p
\v 15 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\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 clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w crown|strong="H5850"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* fine linen \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w*; \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 was|strong="H5892"\w* \w glad|strong="H8055"\w*.  
\v 16 \w The|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* light, \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w and|strong="H8057"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*.  
\v 17 \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\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 commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w came|strong="H5060"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w feast|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*. \w Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w land|strong="H4725"\w* \w became|strong="H1697"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w for|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 on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1 \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* Adar, \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 month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w came|strong="H5060"\w* \w near|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w put|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w execution|strong="H6213"\w*, \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|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 hoped|strong="H7663"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* conquer \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, (\w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w opposite|strong="H8147"\w* \w happened|strong="H1697"\w*, \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* conquered \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*),  
\v 2 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6950"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6440"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\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 on|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 3 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* local \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w business|strong="H4399"\w* \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 on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 4 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w fame|strong="H8089"\w* \w went|strong="H1980"\w* \w out|strong="H1980"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H1419"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w grew|strong="H1980"\w* \w greater|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w greater|strong="H1419"\w*.  
\v 5 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w stroke|strong="H4347"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w slaughter|strong="H4347"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* destruction, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* wanted \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*.  
\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.  
\v 7 They killed \w Parshandatha|strong="H6577"\w*, \w Dalphon|strong="H1813"\w*, Aspatha,  
\v 8 \w Poratha|strong="H6334"\w*, Adalia, Aridatha,  
\v 9 \w Parmashta|strong="H6534"\w*, Arisai, Aridai, and \w Vaizatha|strong="H2055"\w*,  
\v 10 \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*’ \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* didn’t \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* plunder.   
\p
\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 who|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w slain|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* \w brought|strong="H4428"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 12 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*, “\w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w slain|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 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 including|strong="H4428"\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*; \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w then|strong="H6213"\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 king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \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 shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w further|strong="H5750"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H1571"\w* Esther said, “\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 let|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*’s \w decree|strong="H1881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\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*.”   
\p
\v 14 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* commanded \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w decree|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|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 Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 15 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3064"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6950"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* Adar, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*; \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* didn’t \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* plunder.   
\p
\v 16 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H7605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H5315"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6950"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w*, defended \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w*, \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w seventy-five|strong="H7657"\w* thousand \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \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* didn’t \w lay|strong="H7971"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* plunder.  
\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* 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 of|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w made|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 gladness|strong="H8057"\w*.   
\p
\v 18 \w But|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3064"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|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 and|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fifteenth|strong="H2568"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* month, \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w made|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 gladness|strong="H8057"\w*.  
\v 19 \w Therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w villages|strong="H6519"\w*, \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w unwalled|strong="H6521"\w* \w towns|strong="H5892"\w*, \w make|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* Adar \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* presents \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w food|strong="H4490"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*.   
\p
\v 20 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w things|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 who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\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 the|strong="H3605"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w near|strong="H7138"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w*,  
\v 21 \w to|strong="H1961"\w* enjoin \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w keep|strong="H6213"\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* Adar \w yearly|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\v 22 \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H3064"\w* \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 which|strong="H1992"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w sorrow|strong="H3015"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* mourning \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*; \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* \w presents|strong="H4979"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w food|strong="H4490"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4979"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* needy.  
\v 23 \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w accepted|strong="H6901"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w custom|strong="H6901"\w* \w that|strong="H3064"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w begun|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*,  
\v 24 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\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 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* \w consume|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*;  
\v 25 \w but|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H6440"\w* \w became|strong="H7725"\w* known \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w he|strong="H5921"\w* commanded \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w plan|strong="H2803"\w*, \w which|strong="H3064"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w planned|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w on|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*.   
\p
\v 26 \w Therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w these|strong="H2063"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* “\w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*”,\f + \fr 9:26 \ft Purim is the Hebrew plural for pur, which means lot.\f* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w word|strong="H1697"\w* “\w Pur|strong="H6332"\w*.” \w Therefore|strong="H3651"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* letter, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3117"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H3117"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*,  
\v 27 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* imposed \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w joined|strong="H3867"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w fail|strong="H5674"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* written \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*;  
\v 28 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \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 kept|strong="H6213"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w*, \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w*, \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*; \w and|strong="H3117"\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 from|strong="H3117"\w* \w among|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w memory|strong="H2143"\w* \w perish|strong="H5674"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w offspring|strong="H2233"\w*.\f + \fr 9:28 \ft or, seed\f*   
\p
\v 29 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Abihail, \w and|strong="H6965"\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 all|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 of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*.  
\v 30 \w He|strong="H3605"\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="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \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* Ahasuerus \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,  
\v 31 \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 in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w appointed|strong="H2165"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\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* Esther \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w decreed|strong="H6965"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* imposed \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fastings|strong="H6685"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* mourning.  
\v 32 \w The|strong="H6965"\w* \w commandment|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w confirmed|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w matters|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*; \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w it|strong="H3789"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w*.   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w laid|strong="H7760"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w tribute|strong="H4522"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* islands \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\v 2 Aren’t \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w acts|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w power|strong="H1369"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w might|strong="H1369"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\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 of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w advanced|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\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*?  
\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 next|strong="H4932"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w accepted|strong="H7521"\w* \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w multitude|strong="H7230"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* brothers, \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* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*.