Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which
reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and
twenty provinces:) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the
throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, In the third year of
his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of
Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:
When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his
excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when
these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were
present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the
court of the garden of the king's palace; Where were white, green, and blue,
hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and
pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red,
and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels
of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in
abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according
to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers
of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 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, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and
Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the
king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew
the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the
queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his
chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in
him.
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the
king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him
was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan,
the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which
sat the first in the kingdom;) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti
according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the
king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the
king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only,
but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of
the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all
women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall
be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be
brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia
and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the
deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it
please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be
written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered,
That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her
royal estate unto another that is better than she. And when the king's decree
which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is
great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and
small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did
according to the word of Memucan: For he sent letters into all the king's
provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every
people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own
house, and that it should be published according to the language of every
people.
After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he
remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against
her. Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair
young virgins sought for the king: And let the king appoint officers in all the
provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young
virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the
custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their
things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleaseth the
king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did
so.
Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was
Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who
had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been
carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of
Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his
uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was
fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead,
took for his own daughter.
So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard,
and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace,
to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house,
to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him,
and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for
purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which
were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and
her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not
shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she
should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the
women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that
she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so
were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil
of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the
purifying of the women;) Then thus came every maiden unto the king;
whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the
women unto the king's house. In the evening she went, and on the morrow
she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of
Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in
unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were
called by name.
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai,
who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she
required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the
women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that
looked upon her. 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's feast;
and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state
of the king. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time,
then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred
nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the
commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's
chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth,
and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to
Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king
thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it
was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written
in the book of the chronicles before the king.
After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the
princes that were with him. And all the king's servants, that were in the king's
gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded
concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the
king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why
transgressest thou the king's commandment? Now it came to pass, when
they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told
Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told
them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor
did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay
hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai:
wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the
whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king
Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and
from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered
abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom;
and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws:
therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it
be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of
silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it
into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave
it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the
king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with
them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king's scribes called on the
thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that
Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors
that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every
province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their
language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the
king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to
destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little
children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth
month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The
copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was
published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The
posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree
was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink;
but the city Shushan was perplexed.
When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and
put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried
with a loud and a bitter cry; And came even before the king's gate: for none
might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province,
whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great
mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many
lay in sackcloth and ashes.
So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the
queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to
take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.
Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had
appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai,
to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto
the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him
of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman
had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them.
Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at
Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her,
and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication
unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came
and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto
Mordecai; All the king's servants, and the people of the king's 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 of his to put him to death,
except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may
live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And
they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer
Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more
than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then
shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another
place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth
whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all
the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor
drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so
will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I
perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had
commanded him.
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel,
and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's
house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against
the gate of the house. 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, What wilt
thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to
the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king,
let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared
for him. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as
Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther
had prepared.
And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition?
and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the
kingdom it shall be performed. Then answered Esther, and said, My petition
and my request is; If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it
please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king
and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do
to morrow as the king hath said.
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when
Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for
him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman
refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his
friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches,
and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had
promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and
servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no
man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but
myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this
availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's
gate.
Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made
of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai
may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the
banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be
made.
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book
of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was
found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the
king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the
king Ahasuerus. And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done
to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him,
There is nothing done for him.
And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the
outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai
on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king's servants said
unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him
come in. So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done
unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in
his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to
honour, Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and
the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his
head: And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the
king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king
delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the
city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the
king delighteth to honour. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take
the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the
Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and
brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed
before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to
honour.
And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house
mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and
all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and
Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before
whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt
surely fall before him. And while they were yet talking with him, came the
king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that
Esther had prepared.
So 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, What is thy
petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request?
and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the
queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it
please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my
request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to
perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my
tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is
he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther
said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid
before the king and the queen.
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the
palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the
queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the
banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was.
Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As
the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And
Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the
gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had
spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king
said, Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had
prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy
unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had
told what he was unto her. 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 spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and
besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and
his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the
golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the
thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written
to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite,
which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's 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?
Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the
Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have
hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye
also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's
ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the
king's ring, may no man reverse. Then were the king's scribes called at that
time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth
day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded
unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the
provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven
provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto
every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing,
and according to their language. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name,
and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and
riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: Wherein the king granted
the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand
for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the
people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women,
and to take the spoil of them for a prey, 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 for a commandment to be given in
every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be
ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts
that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on
by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the
palace.
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue
and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen
and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The Jews had light,
and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city,
whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had
joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land
became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of
the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put
in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power
over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over
them that hated them;) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities
throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as
sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell
upon all people. And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and
the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of
Mordecai fell upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his
fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed
greater and greater. Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of
the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto
those that hated them. And in Shushan the palace 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 Vajezatha, The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy
of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. On that day
the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought
before the king.
And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed
five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what
have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition?
and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be
done. Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which
are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let
Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it
so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged
Haman's ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves
together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three
hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. But the
other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together,
and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their
foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, On
the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same
rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that
were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on
the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and
made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, that
dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a
day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to
another.
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 stablish this
among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar,
and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested
from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow
to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days
of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the
poor. And the Jews undertook 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 consume them, and to destroy them; But when
Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device,
which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and
that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called
these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this
letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had
come unto them, The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their
seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not
fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and
according to their appointed time every year; 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 with
all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. And he sent the letters
unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom
of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, To confirm these days of Purim
in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen
had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their
seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. And the decree of Esther
confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
And 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 declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.