{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/sefaria_esther/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/sefaria_esther","id":"sefaria_esther","license":"Public Domain","rights_basis":"sefaria_version_license_Public Domain","source":"sefaria","source_url":"https://www.sefaria.org/Esther","summary":null,"tags":[],"text":"Chapter 1\n\nNOW IT came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus\u2014this is Ahasuerus who reigned, from India to Ethiopia, over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces\u2014 that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the castle, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him; when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty, many days, even a hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the castle, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king\u2019s palace; there were hangings of white, fine cotton, and blue, bordered with cords of fine linen and purple, upon silver rods and pillars of marble; the couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of green, and white, and shell, and onyx marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold\u2014the vessels being diverse one from another\u2014and royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man\u2019s pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizzetha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to show the peoples and the princes her beauty; for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king\u2019s commandment by the chamberlains; therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times\u2014for so was the king\u2019s manner toward all that knew law and judgment; and the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king\u2019s face, and sat the first in the kingdom: \u2019What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, forasmuch as she hath not done the bidding of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?\u2019 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: \u2018Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the peoples, that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. And this day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say the like unto all the king\u2019s princes. So will there arise enough contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus, and that the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king\u2019s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his kingdom, great though it be, all the wives will give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.\u2019 And the word pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan; for he sent letters into all the king\u2019s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and speak according to the language of his people.\n\nChapter 2\n\nAfter these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was assuaged, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the king\u2019s servants that ministered unto him: \u2018Let there be sought for the king young virgins fair to look on; and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the castle, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hegai the king\u2019s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their ointments be given them; and let the maiden that pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti.\u2019 And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. There was a certain Jew in Shushan the castle, whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair the son of Shimei the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle\u2019s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother, and the maiden was of beautiful form and fair to look on; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king\u2019s commandment and his decree was published, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the castle, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king\u2019s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her ointments, with her portions, and the seven maidens, who were meet to be given her out of the king\u2019s house; and he advanced her and her maidens to the best place in the house of the women. Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that she should not tell it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women\u2019s house, to know how Esther did, and what would become of her. Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that it had been done to her according to the law for the women, twelve months\u2014for so were the days of their anointing accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six month with sweet odours, and with other ointments of the women \u2014 when then the maiden came unto the king, whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king\u2019s house. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king\u2019s chamberlain, who kept the concubines; she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and she were called by name. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king\u2019s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther\u2019s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the bounty of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, and Mordecai sat in the king\u2019s gate\u2014 Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him\u2014 in those days, while Mordecai sat in the king\u2019s gate, two of the king\u2019s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those that kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing became known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther told the king thereof in Mordecai\u2019s name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.\n\nChapter 3\n\nAfter these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king\u2019s servants, that were in the king\u2019s gate, bowed down, and prostrated themselves before Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him. Then the king\u2019s servants, that were in the king\u2019s gate, said unto Mordecai: \u2018Why transgressest thou the king\u2019s commandment?\u2019 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai\u2019s words would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor prostrated himself before him, then was Haman full of wrath. But it seemed contemptible in his eyes to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai; wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus: \u2018There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from those of every people; neither keep they the king\u2019s laws; therefore it profiteth not the king to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those that have the charge of the king\u2019s business, to bring it into the king\u2019s treasuries.\u2019 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews\u2019enemy. And the king said unto Haman: \u2018The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.\u2019 Then were the king\u2019s scribes called in the first month, on the thirteenth day thereof, and there was written, according to all that Haman commanded, unto the king\u2019s satraps, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the princes of every people; to every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king\u2019s ring. And letters were sent by posts into all the king\u2019s provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all peoples, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went forth in haste by the king\u2019s commandment, and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle; and the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.\n\nChapter 4\n\nNow when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and he came even before the king\u2019s gate; for none might enter within the king\u2019s gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king\u2019s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. And Esther\u2019s maidens and her chamberlains came and told it her; and the queen was exceedingly pained; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai; and to take his sackcloth from off him; but he accepted it not. Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the king\u2019s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was, and why it was. So Hathach went forth to Mordecai unto the broad place of the city, which was before the king\u2019s gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king\u2019s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her; and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him, for her people. And Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Then Esther spoke unto Hathach, and gave him a message unto Mordecai: \u2019All the king\u2019s servants, and the people of the king\u2019s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he be put to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live; but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.\u2019 And they told to Mordecai Esther\u2019s words. Then Mordecai bade them to return answer unto Esther: \u2018Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king\u2019s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father\u2019s house will perish; and who knoweth whether thou art not come to royal estate for such a time as this?\u2019 Then Esther bade them return answer unto Mordecai: \u2019Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.\u2019 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.\n\nChapter 5\n\nNow it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king\u2019s house, over against the king\u2019s house; and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her: \u2018What wilt thou, queen Esther? for whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be given thee.\u2019 And Esther said: \u2018If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.\u2019 Then the king said: \u2018Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Esther hath said.\u2019 So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine: \u2018Whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.\u2019 Then answered Esther, and said: \u2018My petition and my request is\u2014 if I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request\u2014let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said.\u2019 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king\u2019s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. And Haman recounted unto them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and everything as to how the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover: \u2018Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-morrow also am I invited by her together with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king\u2019s gate.\u2019 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him: \u2018Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon; then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet.\u2019 And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.\n\nChapter 6\n\nOn that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king\u2019s chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus. And the king said: \u2018What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?\u2019 Then said the king\u2019s servants that ministered unto him: \u2018There is nothing done for him.\u2019 And the king said: \u2018Who is in the court?\u2019\u2014Now Haman was come into the outer court of the king\u2019s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.\u2014 And the king\u2019s servants said unto him: \u2018Behold, Haman standeth in the court.\u2019 And the king said: \u2018Let him come in.\u2019 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him: \u2018What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?\u2019\u2014Now Haman said in his heart: \u2018Whom would the king delight to honour besides myself?\u2019\u2014 And Haman said unto the king: \u2018For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, let royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and on whose head a crown royal is set; and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king\u2019s most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honour, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him: Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.\u2019 Then the king said to Haman: \u2018Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king\u2019s gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.\u2019 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: \u2018Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.\u2019 And Mordecai returned to the king\u2019s gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered. And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: \u2018If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.\u2019 While they were yet talking with him, came the king\u2019s chamberlains, and hastened to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.\n\nChapter 7\n\nSo the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine: \u2018Whatever thy petition, queen Esther, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request, even to the half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.\u2019 Then Esther the queen answered and said: \u2018If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request; for we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, for the adversary is not worthy that the king be endamaged.\u2019 Then spoke the king Ahasuerus and said unto Esther the queen: \u2018Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?\u2019 And Esther said: \u2018An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman.\u2019 Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman remained to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the couch whereon Esther was. Then said the king: \u2018Will he even force the queen before me in the house?\u2019 As the word went out of the king\u2019s mouth, they covered Haman\u2019s face. Then said Harbonah, one of the chamberlains that were before the king: \u2018Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman hath made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman.\u2019 And the king said: \u2018Hang him thereon.\u2019 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king\u2019s wrath assuaged.\n\nChapter 8\n\nOn that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews\u2019 enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. And she said: \u2018If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king\u2019s provinces; for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?\u2019 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew: \u2018Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also concerning the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king\u2019s name, and seal it with the king\u2019s ring; for the writing which is written in the king\u2019s name, and sealed with the king\u2019s ring, may no man reverse.\u2019 Then were the king\u2019s scribes called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded concerning the Jews, even to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. And they wrote in the name of king Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king\u2019s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king\u2019s service, bred of the stud; that the king had granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, and to slay, and to cause to perish, all the forces of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. The copy of the writing, to be given out for a decree in every province, was to be published unto all the peoples, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that rode upon swift steeds that were used in the king\u2019s service went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king\u2019s commandment; and the decree was given out in Shushan the castle. And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king\u2019s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.\n\nChapter 9\n\nNow in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king\u2019s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them; whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them; the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt; and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen upon all the peoples. And all the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and they that did the king\u2019s business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king\u2019s house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. And the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would unto them that hated them. And in Shushan the castle the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, and Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizatha, the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews\u2019enemy, slew they; but on the spoil they laid not their hand. On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the castle was brought before the king. And the king said unto Esther the queen: \u2018The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the castle, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king\u2019s provinces! Now whatever thy petition, it shall be granted thee; and whatever thy request further, it shall be done.\u2019 Then said Esther: \u2018If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews that are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day\u2019s decree, and let Haman\u2019s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.\u2019 And the king commanded it so to be done; and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman\u2019s ten sons. And the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men in Shushan; but on the spoil they laid not their hand. And the other Jews that were in the king\u2019s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of them that hated them seventy and five thousand\u2014but on the spoil they laid not their hand\u2014. on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness and they ate. Therefore do the Jews of the villages, that dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, the days wherein the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews took upon them to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast pur, that is, the lot, to discomfit them, and to destroy them; but when ashe came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head; and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called these days Purim, after the name of pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come unto them, the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof, and according to the appointed time thereof, every year; and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote down all the acts of power, to confirm this second letter of Purim. And he sent letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had ordained for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. And the commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.\n\nChapter 10\n\nAnd the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, how the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren; seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.","title":"Esther","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":5704}