 艾；1.(est)  [艾斯德爾]  Esther   [共 10 章]   [思高聖經]

 補錄甲1    [摩爾德開的夢]本雅明族人克士的曾孫，史米的孫子，雅依爾的兒子摩爾德開，在薛西斯大王第二年，「尼散」月初一做了一個夢。──
 補錄甲2    他是猶太人，住在穌撒，在朝廷裏做大官。
 補錄甲3    在巴比倫王拿步高從耶路撒冷擄去猶大王耶苛尼雅時，他也一同被擄去。──
 補錄甲4    他的夢如下：他聽見喧嘩吶喊雷鳴地震，地上一片混亂之聲。
 補錄甲5    忽見兩條巨龍前來，準備撕殺，發出狂吼怒號。
 補錄甲6    萬民都應聲備戰，攻擊正義的民族。
 補錄甲7    那是黑暗和恐怖的日子，世上滿佈憂患、痛苦、悲哀和暴亂，
 補錄甲8    所有正義的民族都感到恐惶，害怕災難；於是準備犧牲，向天主哀號。
 補錄甲9    當他們哀號之際，由一小泉忽湧出了一條大河，水勢洶湧；
 補錄甲10   同時曙光和太陽出升，貧賤的人受褒揚，顯貴的人被吞滅。
 補錄甲11   摩爾德開夢見此事，就驚醒了；心想天主有何意思，一天到晚思索夢中的意義。
 補錄甲12   此時，摩爾德開與君王的兩個看門太監，彼革堂和特勒士，住在宮中。
 補錄甲13   他發覺了他們二人的陰謀，就留心觀察他們的行動；察知他們要對薛西斯王下毒手，就將此事報加給君王。
 補錄甲14   於是君王拷問這兩個太監，他們招供後，就處公死刑。
 補錄甲15   親自筆錄了這事的原委，存入檔案；摩爾德開也記錄了這件事。
 補錄甲16   遂委派摩爾德開在朝廷內供職，並因這功勳，賜給他獎品。
 補錄甲17   但是，在君王前負有名望的阿加格人哈默大達的兒子哈曼，為了這兩個太監的事，卻有意加害摩爾德開和他的民族。

 艾:1.1      在薛西斯為王時，發生了這樣的事：──這薛西斯當時管轄的版圖，自印度至雇士，共計一百二十七省──
 艾:1.2      他在穌撒禁城登極後，
 艾:1.3      第三年設宴款待所有的公卿朝臣，波斯與瑪待的將官，各省的賢達與總督，
 艾:1.4      一連一百八十天，天天誇耀他帝國的豪華富裕，和他赫赫堂皇的榮耀。
 艾:1.5      這些日子過了以後，王又在官內的御苑裏，一連七天，歡宴穌撒禁城的全體人民，不分尊卑，都來參加。
 艾:1.6      庭院各處裝飾著白色和紫紅色的壁氈，繫著純白色和朱紅色的彩帶，懸在白大理石柱的銀環子上；在碧玉、白玉、珍珠和寶石舖砌的地面上，陳設了金銀的床榻。
 艾:1.7      進飲的器皿，都是金銀製的，大小俱全；御釀豐美，以示王家的厚贈。
 艾:1.8      飲酒隨意，無須強勸，因為王已命宮內侍役，應隨各人所好，善加招待。
 艾:1.9      同時瓦市提皇后，在薛西斯王的後宮，也擺設盛宴，款待婦女。
 艾:1.10     至第七日，君王一時酒酣耳熱，就命默胡曼、彼次達、哈波納、彼革達、阿巴革達、則塔爾和加爾加斯，──七個侍從薛西斯王的宦官──
 艾:1.11     去召瓦市提王后，叫她頭戴后冠，到君王跟前來，讓眾百姓與朝臣瞻仰她的美麗，因為她的容貌，嬌媚可愛。
 艾:1.12     但是瓦市提王后拒絕前來，不肯遵行宦官傳來的王命。於是君王勃然大怒，五內如焚，
 艾:1.13     遂與通達時務的朝臣商議說：──因為當時君王要辦一事，必與精通法律民情的朝臣商議；
 艾:1.14     那時在王身傍有加爾舍納、舍塔爾、阿德瑪達、塔爾史士、默勒斯、瑪色納、默慕干，七位波斯和瑪待的公卿；他們常在君王左右，分居國家的高位──
 艾:1.15     「按法律應如何處置瓦市提王后呢﹖因為沒有覆行宦官傳下的王命。」
 艾:1.16     默慕干在君王及公卿前建議說：「瓦市提王后不但得罪了君王，並且還得罪了薛西斯王各省的諸候與人民，
 艾:1.17     因為王后的這種行為，一傳到所有的婦女耳中，她們必將效尤，輕視自己的丈夫，而且說：薛西斯王命人召瓦市提王后到他跟前，她卻沒有來；
 艾:1.18     今日凡聽到王后這種舉動的波斯與瑪待的公主貴婦，也必說同樣的話，對一切王家公卿，也照樣輕視忿怒。
 艾:1.19     陛下如果贊成，可下一道上諭，附於波斯與瑪待的法典內，成為法律，禁止瓦市提后今後朝見薛西斯王；至於她的后位，王可賜與另一位比她賢淑的國妃。
 艾:1.20     當君王下的這道命令，傳遍整個版圖廣闊的國土時，全國的婦女，不拘尊卑，對自己的丈夫必表示尊敬。」
 艾:1.21     對這建議，君王和公卿都表示贊成；王就依照默慕干的建議施行，
 艾:1.22     向全國各省，傳遞文告，依各省的文字和各民族的語言，敕令天下所有的丈夫，應為一家之主，可隨意發號施令。
  
 艾:2.1      這些事以後，薛西斯王的盛怒遂平息了，不再回念瓦市提和她所作的事，也不再追究對她所決定的事。
 艾:2.2      於是侍奉君王的僕役說：「應為大王另選美貌的年輕處女；
 艾:2.3      大王可指派委員到全國各省，把所有美貌的年輕處女，都召集到穌撒禁城的後宮來，由管理嬪妃的王家太監赫革負責照應，供給她們美容潤身的香料。
 艾:2.4      那中悅君王的處女就得代瓦市提為后。」這建議正合了王的心，王就照樣進行。
 艾:2.5      在穌撒禁城內，有一個猶太人，名叫摩爾德開，是雅依爾的兒子，史米的孫子，本雅明族人克士的曾孫，
 艾:2.6      克士是巴比倫王拿步高由耶路撒冷將猶大王耶苛尼雅擄去時，被擄的俘虜之一。
 艾:2.7      摩爾德開撫養了他的堂妹哈達撒，又名叫艾斯德爾，她自幼就喪失父母。這女孩身材標致，容貌美麗，自她父母去世後，摩爾德開就收她作自己的女兒。
 艾:2.8      不久，皇帝的諭旨和詔令，傳遍了全國，許多少女都被召到穌撒禁城，受赫革的監護，艾斯德爾也被帶到王宮，交與管理嬪妃的赫革看管。
 艾:2.9      她很討赫革喜悅，大得他的寵愛，遂立即供給她美容潤身的物品和所需食品，並選派了七個美麗的宮女服侍她，又將她和她的侍女遷移到後宮最好的宮院裏。
 艾:2.10     但艾斯德爾卻沒有說出她自己的民族和身世，因為摩爾德開早已吩咐她不要提及此事。
 艾:2.11     此後，摩爾德開天天在後宮的庭院前徘徊，好打聽艾斯德爾的消自，想知道她的情形如何。
 艾:2.12     在每個處女輪流去見薛西斯王以前，都該先按嬪妃的規則，度過十二個月的「潤身期」：六個月應用沒藥汁，六個月應用香液，以及女人潤身的修飾品。
 艾:2.13     有了這樣的準備，少女纔可去見君王；凡她所要求的，都應讓她由後宮帶進王宮去。
 艾:2.14     她晚上進去，次日早晨回到另一座後宮，受君王管理嬪妃的太監沙市加次的監護；除非君王寵愛她，提名召她，她不得再親近君王。
 艾:2.15     一輪到摩爾德開的叔父阿彼海耳的女兒──即摩爾德開的養女──艾斯德爾去見君王的時候，除了管理嬪妃的王家太監赫革給她預備的東西以外，她什麼也不要；凡看見艾斯德爾的人，沒有不喜愛她的。
 艾:2.16     艾斯德爾在薛西斯為王第七年十月，即「太貝特」月，被召進王宮。
 艾:2.17     王愛艾斯德爾超過所有的嬪妃。在所有的處女中，她最得君王的歡心和喜愛。王便將后冠戴在她頭上，立她為王后，以代瓦市提。
 艾:2.18     於是王給眾文武官員擺設盛宴，一連七天，號為艾斯德爾宴，又給全國各省頒賜大赦，並按照君王的法度敕贈御品。
 艾:2.19     當二次召集處女時，摩爾德開仍在御門供職。
 艾:2.20     那時艾斯德爾，按著摩爾德開事先給她吩咐了的，還沒有透露自己的身世和種族：凡摩爾德開吩咐的，艾斯德爾必盡力遵守，如同昔日受他撫養時一樣。
 艾:2.21     摩爾德開在御門供職的時候，王的兩個守門太監，彼革堂和特勒士，因一時忿怒，就設計對薛西斯王下毒手。
 艾:2.22     但摩爾德開一發覺了那陰謀，就告知艾斯德爾王后，艾斯德爾便以摩爾德開的名義轉告君王。
 艾:2.23     那陰謀經過調查證實以後，就將他們二人懸在木架上，處以極刑。此事的原委，當著君王的面記錄在年鑑內。
  
 艾:3.1      此後，薛西斯王擢陞阿加格人哈默大達的兒子哈曼，使他進級，位居所有同僚公卿之上。
 艾:3.2      君王下命，凡在御門供職的臣僕，都應向哈曼俯首下拜，只有摩爾德開不肯向他低頭，也不下拜。
 艾:3.3      於是御門供職的臣僕問摩爾德開說：「為什麼你違犯王命﹖」
 艾:3.4      他們天天這樣問他，他也不聽；他們便告訴了哈曼，說摩爾德開背版王命，想觀察摩爾德開的態度是否堅持到底，因為他曾給他們說自己是猶太人。
 艾:3.5      哈曼見摩爾德開不向他低頭下拜，就非常忿怒，
 艾:3.6      心想只殺害摩爾德開一人，不足洩恨，因為人向他告訴了摩爾德開的身世；於是哈曼打算把薛西斯王整個帝國內的一切猶太人，和摩爾德開一起殺盡滅絕。
 艾:3.7      在薛西斯為王第十二年正月，即「尼散」月，有人在哈曼前抽「普爾，」就是抽籤，為定一個日子和月份，好在那一天滅絕摩爾德開的種族。結果，抽出了十二月，即「阿達爾」月十三日。
 艾:3.8      於是哈曼對薛西斯王說：「在你全國各省內，有一個民族，散居在各民族之間，他們的法律和各民族的都不同，又不遵守王法；容留他們，於君王實在不利。
 艾:3.9      若君王贊同，可諭令把他們滅絕，我願捐一萬「塔冷通」銀子，交與管理國庫的人，歸入王庫。」
 艾:3.10     於是君王由自己的手上，取下指璽，交與那迫害猶太人的阿加格人哈默大達的兒子哈曼。
 艾:3.11     接著對哈曼說：「錢仍還給你，至於這個民族，你可任意處置。」
 艾:3.12     即在正月十三日召集了眾御史，根據哈曼的旨意，用各省習用的文字，和各民族的方言，擬定了一道文書，頒發給各省御史大臣，各民族族長；文書用薛西斯王的名義措辭，並蓋上君王的指璽；
 艾:3.13     然後由眾驛使傳遞至帝國各省，限令在一天內，即十二月，「阿達爾」月十三日，把全國所有的猶太人，不論老幼婦孺，一律加以殲滅、屠殺、剷除，財產一律沒收。

 補錄丁乙   [諭文]諭文如下：「薛西斯大王欽命印度至厄提約丕雅之一百二十七省省長及其屬員事：
 補錄3.14   自朕轄治各邦，管理全國以來，未嘗妄用職權，而常以寬容仁慈，撫育我人民，志在庶民皆享康樂，舉國共慶昇平，勤苦經營，以圖國泰民安，恢復人類久已渴望之和平。
 補錄3.15   朕今諮詢樞密，何以克遂此願。而哈曼首相，秉賦忠貞，信智超群，
 補錄3.16   上奏朕曰：有一敗類，散居天下萬邦，風俗律法，與天下異，且不從王法，使朕所頒政令，難奏厥功。
 補錄3.17   今朕始悉其端，稚此民族，與眾殊異，固守己法，生活異趣，對朕天下，實存野心，致力破壞，是以國家不獲安寧。
 補錄3.18   因此朕令：凡當今首相──朕之亞父哈曼──書內所示之人物，務於本年十二月即「阿達爾」月十四日，偕其妻孥子女，應一律刀斬，殲滅九族，不得留情顧惜。
 補錄3.19   務使古今敗類，於一日之間，悉葬身九泉，然後國必永安，亂事方息。」

 艾:3.14     諭文應在各省公佈，通知天下人民，準備應付這一天。
 艾:3.15     驛使因迫於君令，就迅速出發；在穌撒禁城裏立即公佈了這道上諭。此時君王與哈曼同席共飲；但是穌撒全城卻陷於混亂。
  
 艾:4.1      摩爾德開一知道所發生的事，就撕裂了自己的衣服，披上苦衣，撒上灰土，走到京城中心，大聲哀號，
 艾:4.2      一直走到御門前，因為身披苦衣的，不准進入御門。
 艾:4.3      此時在各省裏，凡是諭文與敕令傳到的地方，猶太人都哀號、禁食、哭泣、悲痛；許多人且身穿苦衣，躺在灰土中。
 艾:4.4      艾斯德爾的宮女和太監跑來報告給她，王后得悉，萬分悲傷，立即送衣服去，叫摩爾德開穿上，脫下苦衣；但是他沒有接受。
 艾:4.5      艾斯德爾就叫王派來侍候她的太監哈塔客來，吩咐他去見摩爾德開，探聽一下發生了何事，為何如此。
 艾:4.6      哈塔客遂走到御門前的廣場，去見摩爾德開。
 艾:4.7      摩爾德開便將所遭遇的事，也將哈曼為消滅猶太人給王庫捐獻的銀錢，都詳細告訴了他，
 艾:4.8      並且把在穌撒已公佈的滅絕猶太人的一分諭文交給他，轉呈艾斯德爾披閱，並請她快去懇求君王為自己的民族求情，且叫他向艾斯德爾說：「請你回憶你孤苦零丁的時候，怎樣在我手下長大成人。如今一人之下的哈曼已求准要處死我們。請你呼求上主，並為我們向君王求情，救我們不死! 」
 艾:4.9      哈塔客回來，將摩爾德開的話回報給艾斯德爾。
 艾:4.10     艾斯德爾吩咐哈塔客去回覆摩爾德開說：
 艾:4.11     「王所有的公卿與各省的百姓都知道，任何人不論男女，未奉召見，而擅入內庭往謁君王的，除非君王向他伸出金杖賜他生存，一律應依法處死。況且我已三十天未蒙召親近君王了。」
 艾:4.12     哈塔客將艾斯德爾的話轉告給摩爾德開。
 艾:4.13     摩爾德開叫他回覆艾斯德爾說：「不要心想，一個猶太人在王宮裏就可保全性命!
 艾:4.14     決不會。在這生死關頭，你若緘默不言，猶太人也必會從別處得到救援和援助。但是，在這光景下，你和你的家族必遭滅亡。誰知你之所以得涉足朝廷，不正是為了挽救現在的危機呢! 」
 艾:4.15     艾斯德爾令人轉告摩爾德開說：
 艾:4.16     「去召集一切住在穌撒的猶太人，為我禁食，三天三夜不吃不喝。同時，我與我的宮女，也同樣禁食；此後，我就越規去見君王，即便我死，死也情願! 」
 艾:4.17     於是摩爾德開走了，進行艾斯德爾所吩咐他的一切事。

 補錄丙1    摩爾德開的哀禱】  摩爾德開想起了上主所作的一切，就向上主哀求說：
 補錄丙2    「上主，上主! 全能的君王! 萬事都屬你權下，若你願意拯救以色列，誰也不能反抗。
 補錄丙3    你造了天地，以及天下的千奇萬妙之物；你是萬有的主宰。上主，誰能抵抗你﹖
 補錄丙4    上主! 你洞察萬事，知道我不叩拜蠻橫的哈曼，並不是出於傲慢、自大，或任何貪求虛榮的心；反之，若為了以色列的安全，需要跪吻他的腳掌，我也在所不亂。
 補錄丙5    但是，我這樣做，是不願將人的光榮，置諸天主的光榮以上；並且，我的上主，除了你以外，我決不叩拜任何人。我如此做，不是出於傲慢。
 補錄丙6    上主，天主，天地的君王，亞巴郎的天主! 現今求你憐憫你的民族! 因為人決意要消滅我們，要摧殘自始就屬於你的產業。
 補錄丙7    求你不要輕視你從埃及為你自己贖出的產業!
 補錄丙8    願你俯聽我的祈求，憐憫你的家業，化哀傷為喜慶，使我們能生存在世界上，歌頌你的聖名。上主! 求你不要讓那些讚美你的口舌喪亡! 」
 補錄丙9    此時，全以色列都竭力呼救，因為他們已面臨死亡。
 補錄丙10   艾斯德爾王后，自覺也有死的威脅，於是投奔到上主前；脫去華服，穿上悲傷哀悼的衣裳，頭上撒上灰塵和糞土，以代替貴重的香膏，嚴厲刻苦肉身，頭髮散垂，毫無裝飾，向上主以色列的天主祈禱說：
 補錄丙11   「我的上主! 只有你是我們的君王，求你援助我這孤苦無靠的人! 除你以外，我沒有別的救援，因為危險已迫於眉睫。
 補錄丙12   我自幼在我父家，就聽說是你，上主，從各民族中揀選了以色列；又從各民族的祖先中揀選了我們的祖先，作你永遠的產業：凡你所預許的，無不一一給他們實踐。
 補錄丙13   但是現今我們犯罪得罪了你，你將我們交在敵人的手中，因為我們敬奉了他們的神祇；上主，你如此作，是公義的。
 補錄丙14   我們備受奴役慘痛的苦楚，他們尚以為不足，如今還向他們的神祇宣誓：要廢除你發出的號令，消滅你的家業，杜絕頌揚你的口舌，熄滅你聖殿的光輝，拆毀你的祭壇，
 補錄丙15   放縱異教人的口舌，去稱揚虛偽的偶像，永遠崇拜一個有血肉的君王。
 補錄丙16   上主! 不要將你的權杖，與那些根本是虛無的人物；不要使他們嘲笑我們的沒落，反使他們的陰謀傷害自己，作為那謀害我們者的鑑戒。
 補錄丙17   上主! 求你記念我們，在這災難之時，求你顯現! 神明的君王，全能的主宰，求增我勇氣!
 補錄丙18   賜我在猛獅前，口能說動聽的話；求你轉變他的心意，去憎恨我們的仇人，使那人和與他同謀的人，同歸於盡。
 補錄丙19   惟願你親手拯救我們! 上主! 求你援助我這孤苦無告的人，除你以外，我沒有別的依靠。
 補錄丙20   你洞悉一切，知我憎恨所有不法者的光榮，厭惡未受割損者和一切異民的床褥；
 補錄丙21   你知道我是迫不得已，因為我憎惡上朝時戴在我頭上的那尊貴的徽號：憎厭它像沾了不潔的褻布；在我獨居時，我決不佩戴。
 補錄丙22   況且，你的婢女沒有吃過哈曼席上的食物，沒有嘗過君王的盛宴，也沒有飲過奠祭的酒。
 補錄丙23   從我被帶到這裏的那一天起，直到現在，上主，亞巴郎的天主! 除你以外，你的婢女沒有別的喜樂。
 補錄丙24   威能超眾的天主，求你俯聽失望者的呼聲，拯救我們脫離惡人的毒手，並救我脫離恐怖! 」

 補錄丁1    [艾斯德爾越規朝見] 第三天，艾斯德爾祈禱完畢，脫去苦衣麻服，穿上艷麗服裝，
 補錄丁2    刻意裝飾打扮，又呼求了鑒臨萬物，拯救眾生的天主，就帶了兩個婢女：一個扶著她那弱不禁風的身體；另一個尾隨於後，扯起她的長裙。
 補錄丁3    她體態輕盈，容貌嬌豔，令人喜愛；但她此時卻心驚膽戰。
 補錄丁4    經過幾道宮門，來到君王前；此時君王正高坐龍椅，身著蟒袍玉帶，金壁輝煌，使人一見生畏。
 補錄丁5    君王抬起頭來，見王后前來，龍顏大變，怒目而視；王后登時嚇的昏迷，面無人色，倒在隨侍她的婢女身上。
 補錄丁6    天主忽然轉變了君王的心，使他的態度轉為和顏悅色，急忙跑下龍椅，雙手把她抱住，及至王后甦醒，王便以溫和的言語撫慰她說：
 補錄丁7    「艾斯德爾，你有什麼事﹖我是你哥哥，儘管放心好了! 你不至於死，王法只是限於屬下。請上前來! 」
 補錄丁8    於是拿起金杖，放在她頸上，且吻她說：「向我說罷! 」
 補錄丁9    她答說：「我主，我見了你，好像見了天主的使者；一見你的威儀，我就心神慌亂了。
 補錄丁10   我主，你實令人驚奇，儀容又和藹可親。」
 補錄丁11   她正在說話時，又暈倒了。君王因此十分擔心，眾臣僕便都設法使她甦醒過來。

 艾:5.1      第三天，艾斯德爾身穿王后的華服，站在王宮的內院，面向宮殿；那時君王正坐在宮殿的寶座上，面向宮門。
 艾:5.2      君王一見艾斯德爾王后在庭院內，就對她起了寵幸的心，於是向艾斯德爾伸出手中的金杖，艾斯德爾遂上前來，摸了金杖的頂端。
 艾:5.3      君王問她說：「艾斯德爾后，你有什麼事﹖你要求什麼﹖即使要求一半江山，我也必賜給你! 」
 艾:5.4      艾斯德爾答說：「若大王開恩，請大王今日與哈曼同去飲妾為陛下所預備的酒宴。」
 艾:5.5      王遂說：「快叫哈曼來，以滿足艾斯德爾的心願! 」於是王和哈曼一同去赴艾斯德爾預備的酒宴。
 艾:5.6      酒興之餘，王對艾斯德爾說：「你要求什麼，我必給你；不管你求什麼，那怕是半壁江山，也必照辦。」
 艾:5.7      艾斯德爾答說：「這即是我的懇請和要求：
 艾:5.8      如果我見寵於大王，如果大王樂意俯允我的懇請，實踐我的要求，就請大王明天與哈曼，再來飲妾所設的酒宴；明天我必依照君王的命答覆陛下。」
 艾:5.9      那一天，哈曼出去，非常高興，滿心喜樂；但是哈曼一見在御門前的猶太人摩爾德開既不起立，也不退避，就對他滿懷憤恨，
 艾:5.10     卻仍忍氣回了家，且打發人叫他的朋友和愛妻則勒士來，
 艾:5.11     向他們誇耀自己如何富貴榮華，子女如何眾多，君王如何尊崇他，如何高舉他在眾公卿和朝臣之上。
 艾:5.12     他又說：「甚至，艾斯德爾王后，除我以外，沒有請任何人與君王一同赴她設的盛宴；明天又請我再同君王到她那裏去。
 艾:5.13     但每當我一見坐在御門前的猶太人摩爾德開時，這一切於我都乏味了! 」
 艾:5.14     他的愛妻則勒士和他的朋友便對他說：「該做一個高五十尺的刑架，天一亮就對君王說：把摩爾德開懸在上面! 這樣你可欣然與君王共同赴筵了。」哈曼看這主意不錯，就叫人做了一個刑架。
  
 艾:6.1      那一夜，君王因失眠，便命人取大事錄，即年鑑來，在他面前誦讀。
 艾:6.2      書上這樣記載：摩爾德開如何告發了君王的兩個守門太監彼革堂和特勒士，企圖殺害薛西斯王的事。
 艾:6.3      王問說：「摩爾德開為這事得到什尊榮和地位﹖」服侍他的僕答說：「他什麼也沒有得到。」
 艾:6.4      正當君王探聽摩爾德開的賢德時，恰巧哈曼在庭院裏，於是王問說：「是誰在庭院裏﹖」原來哈曼正走到了王宮的外庭，要請求君王把摩爾德開懸在他豎起的刑架上。
 艾:6.5      王的僕役答應說：「是哈曼站在庭院裏。」王說：「叫他進來! 」
 艾:6.6      哈曼進來，王對他說：「假如君王要顯耀一個人，應該怎樣對待他﹖」哈曼心想：除我以外，君王還能顯耀誰呢﹖
 艾:6.7      於是哈曼對君王說：「大王對願顯耀的人，
 艾:6.8      應拿出大王穿的龍袍和大王騎的頭戴「御馬冠」的駿馬；
 艾:6.9      將龍袍和駿馬交給大王的一個大臣，叫他給大王所要顯耀的人穿上，領他騎著御馬在城中的廣場遊行，還要有人走在他前面喊道：看，凡皇上願意顯耀的人，就是這樣的待他。」
 艾:6.10     王對哈曼說：「趕快拿龍袍和駿馬來，就照你所說的，去對待坐在御門旁的那猶太人摩爾德開罷! 凡你所說的，一點也不可忽略! 」
 艾:6.11     哈曼就拿了龍袍和駿馬來，先給摩爾德開穿上龍袍，然後扶他騎上駿馬，領他在市內的廣場遊行，還走在他前面喊道：「凡皇上願意顯耀的人，就是這樣的待他。」
 艾:6.12     事後，摩爾德開回到御門，哈曼卻趕快回了家，蒙著頭飲泣。
 艾:6.13     哈曼將所遭遇的，都給他的愛妻則勒士和朋友述說了。他的謀士和愛妻則勒士對他說：「在摩爾德開前，你既開始失敗，如果他真是猶太人，你決不能得勝他，終必敗於他前。」
 艾:6.14     他們正同他談論時，王的太監來催哈曼赴艾斯德爾設的盛宴。
  
 艾:7.1      君王和哈曼同來與艾斯德爾王后宴飲。
 艾:7.2      在這第二天的酒興之餘，王又對艾斯德爾說：「艾斯德爾后! 你要求什麼，我必給你；不論要求什麼，即便是半壁江山，也必照辦。」
 艾:7.3      艾斯德爾后答說：「大王! 如果我獲得你垂青寵愛，如果大王歡喜，請饒我一命，這是我的懇請；也饒我民族一命，這是我的要求，
 艾:7.4      因為我和我的民族，已被人出賣，快要遭受蹂躪、屠殺、毀滅。若是我們只被人賣為奴婢，那麼我必不開口；但這仇人毫不顧及君王所受的災害。」
 艾:7.5      薛西斯王問艾斯德爾后說：「這人是誰﹖那心內打算做這事的人在那裏﹖」
 艾:7.6      艾斯德爾答說：「這仇人和死敵，就是這敗類哈曼。」 哈曼立時在君王及王后前，驚惶萬分。
 艾:7.7      於是君王勃然大怒，即刻退席，走進了御苑；哈曼遂起來懇求艾斯德爾后饒他一命，因為他看出了君王已決意要將他置於死地。
 艾:7.8      王由御苑回到餐廳，哈曼正俯伏在艾斯德爾所坐的榻旁，王惡聲叱叱說：「在王宮內，當著我的面，居然膽敢存心侮辱王后! 」王的話一出口，僕人就蒙起哈曼的臉。
 艾:7.9      君王座前的一個太監哈波納說：「正巧，在哈曼家裏，有他給那位曾一言造福大王的摩爾德開，豎立的一個五十尺高的刑架。」王說：「將他懸在上面! 」
 艾:7.10     人們遂把嚨哈曼懸在他自己為摩爾德開所做的刑架上；王的忿怒這纔平息。
  
 艾:8.1      薛西斯王當王就將猶太人的敵人哈曼的家業，賜給了艾斯德爾王后；艾斯德爾同時也說明了摩爾德開與她自己的關係，摩爾德開就來覲見君王。
 艾:8.2      君王於是取下由哈曼那裏拿回來的指璽，給了摩爾德開，艾斯德爾以後叫摩爾德開管理哈曼的家業。
 艾:8.3      艾斯德爾又去向君王求情，俯伏在他足下，含淚哀求他取消阿加格人哈曼所加的禍害，和他為害猶太人所設的陰謀。
 艾:8.4      王向艾斯德爾伸出金杖，艾斯德爾就起來，站在君王前，
 艾:8.5      說「如果大王喜歡，如果我得陛下寵幸，如果大王認為合理且喜愛我，就請寫一道諭令，把大王為消滅全國各省的猶太人所頒下的文書，即阿加格人哈默大達的兒子哈曼的陰謀廢除。
 艾:8.6      事實上，我怎能忍見我的民族遭受迫害﹖我怎能忍見我的親屬消滅﹖」
 艾:8.7      薛西斯王對艾斯德爾后和猶太人摩爾德開說：「我已將哈曼的家業賜給了艾斯德爾，而他本人已被懸在刑架上，因為他竟要對猶太人下毒手。
 艾:8.8      如今就照你們的意思，以君王的名義，為保護猶太人寫一道文書，蓋上君王的玉印。凡以君王名義所寫，且蓋有君王玉印的文書，決不得廢除。
 艾:8.9      就在那時候，即在三月──「息汪」月二十三日，召集了眾御史，要依照摩爾德開為保護猶太人提示的一切，用各省的文字，各民族的語言，也給猶太人以他們的文字語言，寫了一道文書，公告由印度至雇士一百二十七省的猶太人、御史大臣、各省省長及首長。
 艾:8.10     摩爾德開遂以薛西斯王的名義，寫了這道文書，蓋上君王的玉印，然後派遣驛使，騎著御廄裏的駿馬，傳遞文書。
 艾:8.11     文書上載著：君王恩准在各城市的猶太人，有團結自衛的權利，也准許他們破壞、殺害、消滅那些侵害他們的各族和各省的軍民，也可殺他們的婦孺，搶奪他們的財產；
 艾:8.12     且應在十二月「阿達爾」十三日那一天，在薛西斯帝國各省內開始生效。
     
 補錄戊1    [保護猶太人的諭文]  諭文如下：「薛西斯大王致候由印度至厄提約丕雅一百二十七省省長，並忠於朕之官員2.查有多人，恩主愈加之高官厚祿，
 補錄戊2    其人反而愈妄自尊大，不僅企圖危害朕之所屬為滿足，進而圖謀推倒其恩主。
 補錄戊3    彼等不惟將知恩報愛之義由人間抹殺，且更與無知之輩，驕矜自大，對常鑒臨萬物，嫉惡如仇至公義之天主，自以為可以逃避。
 補錄戊4    彼等多居顯位，屢受公卿友朋妄言之煽惑，而共謀傾流無辜者之血，因而陷於不可挽救之禍殃：
 補錄戊5    彼等利用乖戾欺詐之計謀，迷惑忠貞純良之公卿。
 補錄戊6    此處無須引證留傳於我儕之古籍，爾輩考察此輩惡劣掌權者所做敗德惡行，即可知曉。
 補錄戊7    是以為防患於未然，使帝國免於禍亂，人人得享安樂，
 補錄戊8    朕不復妄聽讒言，務以正義裁判，處斷呈遞於朕之案件。
 補錄戊9    今哈默大達之子，馬其頓人哈曼，實非波斯血統，本不堪朕之寬仁，然朕仍收為客卿，
 補錄戊10   親歷朕對各族所有之優惠，竟被尊稱為父，受萬民敬禮，位居帝座之次。
 補錄戊11   今高官厚祿，而心猶不足，竟欲奪朕位，害朕命，
 補錄戊12   更千方百計，企圖將朕之救命恩主摩爾德開，並朕之無辜后妃艾斯德爾，與其全族上下，予以消滅。
 補錄戊13   如此，欲乘朕之孤立，交波斯帝國於馬其頓人。
 補錄戊14   然據朕察知，此敗類欲消滅之猶太人，原非作惡歹徒，實乃奉公守法之民，
 補錄戊15   彼等乃賜朕與朕祖國昌盛之至高至大，永生天主之子民。
 補錄戊16   是以爾輩不宜覆行哈默大達之子哈曼頒發之文書，因其撰者與全家已懸首於穌撒門前矣! 此乃主宰萬物者天主使其得此報應。
 補錄戊17   因此，是項文告，爾輩應四處公佈，准猶太人遵守其固有之法律，且應在擇定迫害彼等之日，即「阿達爾」十二月十三日，協助彼等敵抗殺害彼等之人。
 補錄戊18   蓋主宰萬物者天主，已將此消滅選民之日化為喜樂之日。
 補錄戊19   是以於爾輩之慶節中，也應隆重慶祝此紀念日，使現今與未來皆慶祝朕與親善波斯者之勝利，但為圖謀害朕之輩，乃滅亡之紀念日。
 補錄戊20   凡不履行此命令之城市或區域，應毫不留情，一律火焚刀斬，使此城區非但人跡不至，即鳥獸也視為畏途，直達永遠。

 艾:8.13     [猶太人慶祝勝利]這道文書應視為法律，公佈在各省內，通告各民族一律遵守，好使猶太人準備在這一天，可向自己的敵人復仇。
 艾:8.14     驛使迫於君令，騎著御馬，火速出發。這諭文同時也在穌撒禁城公佈。
 艾:8.15     摩爾德開於是拜別君王出來，身穿紫白相間的御袍，戴著大金冠，披著純白和朱紅色的氅衣。此時穌撒城歡欣雀躍。
 艾:8.16     猶太人終於得到了光明、喜樂、幸福和榮耀。
 艾:8.17     在各省各城中，凡是君令、上諭所到之處，猶太人無不歡欣雀躍，休假宴飲；各地的異民有許多人因為害怕猶太人，而入了猶太籍。
  
 艾:9.1      十二月，「阿達爾」月十三日，是該執行君令和上諭的那一天，也是猶太人的敵人原想殲滅猶太人的日期，卻變成了猶太人制服敵人的日子。
 艾:9.2      住在薛西斯王各省各城的猶太人，都聚集起來，動手攻打那些想謀害他們的人，但沒有一個人能敵擋他們，因為所有人民都害怕他們。
 艾:9.3      各省的首長，御史大臣和省長，以及為君王服務的人，都擁護猶太人，因為害怕摩爾德開。
 艾:9.4      的確，摩爾德開在王宮裏已掌大權，聲譽傳遍各省，而摩爾德開的權力越來越大。
 艾:9.5      這樣猶太人就用刀屠殺，消滅了一切敵人，任意對待了仇恨他們的人，
 艾:9.6      只在穌撒禁城，猶太人就殺死了五百人，
 艾:9.7      也殺了帕商大達、達耳豐、阿斯帕達、
 艾:9.8      頗辣達、阿達里雅、阿黎大達、
 艾:9.9      帕瑪市達、阿黎賽、阿黎待與耶匝達，
 艾:9.10     即哈曼大達的兒子，猶太人的仇人哈曼的十個兒子，但沒有下手搶奪財物。
 艾:9.11     當天，君王就知道了在穌撒禁城內殺死的人數。
 艾:9.12     對艾斯德爾后說：「在穌撒禁城內，猶太人已殺死了五百人和哈曼的十個兒子，在帝國其他各省內，他們更將做出何事﹖如今你還請求什麼，我必賜給你；你還要求什麼，我都必履行。」
 艾:9.13     艾斯德爾答說：「如蒙大王賜恩，請恩准住在穌撒的猶太人，明天也照今天的法律行事，把哈曼的十個兒子懸在刑架上。」
 艾:9.14     王就下令照辦。於是在穌撒發出了一道諭旨，要把哈曼的十個兒子懸在刑架上。
 艾:9.15     在「阿達爾」月十四日那一天，住在穌撒的猶太人又集合起來，在那裏擊殺了三百人，但沒有下手搶奪財物。
 艾:9.16     住在君王各省的他猶太人，也聚集起來保衛自己，擺脫敵人的侵害，把他們的七萬五千仇人殺死，但沒有下手搶奪財物。
 艾:9.17     這是「阿達爾」月十三日的事；十四日那天，他們安息，舉行慶功的歡宴。
 艾:9.18     住在穌撒的猶太人，因為在十三十四日聚集復仇，便於十五日安息，舉行慶功的歡宴。
 艾:9.19     從此以後，那些住在村莊的猶太鄉民，奉「阿達爾」月十四日為慶日，歡宴慶祝，互送禮物；但居住在城市的猶太人卻以「阿達爾」月十五日為慶日，互送禮物。
 艾:9.20     摩爾德開於是將這些事記錄下來，並向薛西斯王各省遠近的猶太人頒發文書，
 艾:9.21     通告他們應每年慶祝「阿達爾」月十四十五兩天，
 艾:9.22     因為這兩是猶太人徹底擺脫仇敵的日子，而這一月為他們是化憂為喜，化凶為吉的一月，因此該以歡宴慶祝這兩天，互贈禮物，救濟窮困。
 艾:9.23     猶太人便把已開始舉行的和摩爾德開給他們規定的事，奉為永遠當守的盛典。
 艾:9.24     原來阿加格人哈默大達的兒子哈曼，那全猶太人的仇人曾蓄意加害猶太人，要將他們滅絕，就抽出「普爾」即籤，來擇定剷除殲滅他們的日子。
 艾:9.25     但是君王一洞悉此事，便下諭令說：「哈曼加害猶太人想出來的陰謀，應加在他自己頭上! 」就判處他和他的兒子們懸在刑架上。
 艾:9.26     從此，人就援用「普爾」一名，稱這兩天為「普凌節。」依照這文書記載的，和他們有關此事親身看見及經歷的一切，
 艾:9.27     猶太人便給自己，給自己的子孫，給一切加入他們集會的人，規定了「每年該照規定依時慶祝這兩天」為不可更改的法律；
 艾:9.28     世世代代，家家戶戶，各省各城，應紀念和慶祝這兩天；猶太人決不可廢除這兩天的「普凌節，」他們的子孫也決不可忘掉這慶節。
 艾:9.29     阿彼海耳的女兒艾斯德爾后與猶太人摩爾德開，又以全權再度寫了一道核准「普凌節」的文書。
 艾:9.30     然後把此文書分發給所有住在薛西斯帝國一百二十七省內的猶太人，以平如誠懇的言詞，
 艾:9.31     勸他們遵照猶太人摩爾德開對這「普凌節」所規定的，依時舉行。至於禁食和哀歌的吟詠等禮，則可依照他們自己及自己的後代所規定的去行。
 艾:9.32     從此，艾斯德爾的命令，便成了「普凌節」的規定，並記載於史冊。
  
 艾:10.1     薛西斯王向陸地及各海島的居民徵稅。
 艾:10.2     他所行偉大英勇的事蹟，以及顯耀摩爾德開的詳細經過，都記載在瑪待和波斯君王的年鑑上。
 艾:10.3     猶太人摩爾德開，位僅次於薛西斯王，受猶太人的敬重，受他全體同胞的愛戴；他也努力為他的民族謀幸福，關心他的整個種族的安全。
  
  
 補:錄已1    摩爾德開說：「這一切都是天主一手完成的：
 補:錄已2    對這一切，我還記得我作的夢，果   然都一一應驗了：
 補:錄已3    那變成大河的小泉，其上照耀著像太陽的曙光，和洶湧   的水，──艾斯德爾就是這大河，君王娶了她，立為王后；
 補:錄已4    那條巨龍，便是我和哈曼；
 補:錄已5    萬民就是那些團結起來，要剷除猶太人名號的群眾；
 補:錄已6    我的民族，就是以色列，他們向天主哀號，而獲得了救援；上主救了他的百姓，上主使我們脫離了這一切禍患，天主在萬民中做了空前未有的奇蹟和偉業。
 補:錄已7    因此，天主制定了兩籤：一籤為天主的百姓，一籤為其他的民族。
 補:錄已8    這兩籤在天主為萬民所指定的時日，出現在天主前；
 補:錄已9    天主想起了他的民族，保護了他的家業。
 補錄已10   「阿達爾」月的十四十五兩天，為他們將成為以色列民族中，世世代代，永遠在天主台前歡聚喜樂的慶辰。

 [希臘譯者的注語]仆托肋米與克婁帕特辣執政第四年，自稱為司祭兼肋未人的多息太，與他的兒子仆托肋米帶來了上述「普凌節」的紀錄，他們肯定這紀錄是真實可信的，並且說是耶路撒冷居民中的仆托肋米的兒子里息瑪苛翻譯的。   [艾斯德爾完篇]

 est1.        [Esther]    10 chapters   [艾斯德爾傳]  [英文版]

 prologue1:1. In the second year of the reign of the great King Ahasuerus, on the first day of Nisan, Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, had a dream.
 prologue1:2. He was a Jew residing in the city of Susa, a prominent man who served at the king's court,
 prologue1:3. and one of the captives whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had taken from Jerusalem with Jeconiah, king of Judah.
 prologue1:4. This was his dream. There was noise and tumult, thunder and earthquake-confusion upon the earth.
 prologue1:5. Two great dragons came on, both poised for combat. They uttered a mighty cry,
 prologue1:6. and at their cry every nation prepared for war, to fight against the race of the just.
 prologue1:7. It was a dark and gloomy day. Tribulation and distress, evil and great confusion, lay upon the earth.
 prologue1:8. The whole race of the just were dismayed with fear of the evils to come upon them, and were at the point of destruction.
 prologue1:9. Then they cried out to God, and as they cried, there appeared to come forth a great river, a flood of water from a little spring.
 prologue1:10 The light of the sun broke forth; the lowly were exalted and they devoured the nobles.
 prologue1:11 Having seen this dream and what God intended to do, Mordecai awoke. He kept it in mind, and tried in every way, until night, to understand its meaning.
 prologue1:12 Mordecai lodged at the court with Bagathan and Thares, two eunuchs of the king who were court guards.
 prologue1:13 He overheard them plotting, investigated their plans, and discovered that they were preparing to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So he informed the king about them,
 prologue1:14 and the king had the two eunuchs questioned and, upon their confession, put to death.
 prologue1:15 Then the king had these things recorded; Mordecai, too, put them into writing.
 prologue1:16 The king also appointed Mordecai to serve at the court, and rewarded him for his actions.
 prologue1:17 Haman, however, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who was in high honor with the king, sought to harm Mordecai and his people because of the two eunuchs of the king.

 est:1.1.    During the reign of Ahasuerus-this was the Ahasuerus who ruled over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia-
 est:1.2.    while he was occupying the royal throne in the stronghold of Susa,
 est:1.3.    in the third year of his reign, he presided over a feast for all his officers and ministers: the Persian and Median aristocracy, the nobles, and the governors of the provinces.
 est:1.4.    For as many as a hundred and eighty days, he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the resplendent wealth of his royal estate.
 est:1.5.    At the end of this time the king gave a feast of seven days in the garden court of the royal palace for all the people, great and small, who were in the stronghold of Susa.
 est:1.6.    There were white cotton draperies and violet hangings, held by cords of crimson byssus from silver rings on marble pillars. Gold and silver couches were on the pavement, which was of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored stones.
 est:1.7.    Liquor was served in a variety of golden cups, and the royal wine flowed freely, as befitted the king's munificence.
 est:1.8.    By ordinance of the king the drinking was unstinted, for he had instructed all the stewards of his household to comply with the good pleasure of everyone.
 est:1.9.    Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women inside the royal palace of King Ahasuerus.
 est:1.10.   On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he instructed Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended King Ahasuerus,
 est:1.11.   to bring Queen Vashti into his presence wearing the royal crown, that he might display her beauty to the populace and the officials, for she was lovely to behold.
 est:1.12.   But Queen Vashti refused to come at the royal order issued through the eunuchs. At this the king's wrath flared up, and he burned with fury.
 est:1.13.   He conferred with the wise men versed in the law, because the king's business was conducted in general consultation with lawyers and jurists.
 est:1.14.   He summoned Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven Persian and Median officials who were in the king's personal service and held first rank in the realm,
 est:1.15.   and asked them, "What is to be done by law with Queen Vashti for disobeying the order of King Ahasuerus issued through the eunuchs?"
 est:1.16.   In the presence of the king and of the officials, Memucan answered: "Queen Vashti has not wronged the king alone, but all the officials and the populace throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
 est:1.17.   For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and they will look with disdain upon their husbands when it is reported, "King Ahasuerus commanded that Queen Vashti be ushered into his presence, but she would not come.'
 est:1.18.   This very day the Persian and Median ladies who hear of the queen's conduct will rebel against all the royal officials, with corresponding disdain and rancor.
 est:1.19.   If it please the king, let an irrevocable royal decree be issued by him and inscribed among the laws of the Persians and Medes, forbidding Vashti to come into the presence of King Ahasuerus and authorizing the king to give her royal dignity to one more worthy than she.
 est:1.20.   Thus, when the decree which the king will issue is published throughout his realm, vast as it is, all wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least."
 est:1.21.   This proposal found acceptance with the king and the officials, and the king acted on the advice of Memucan.
 est:1.22.   He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, to the effect that every man should be lord in his own home.
   
 est:2.1.    After this, when King Ahasuerus' wrath had cooled, he thought over what Vashti had done and what had been decreed against her.
 est:2.2.    Then the king's personal attendants suggested: "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king.
 est:2.3.    Let the king appoint commissaries in all the provinces of his realm to bring together all beautiful young virgins to the harem in the stronghold of Susa. Under the care of the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, let cosmetics be given them.
 est:2.4.    Then the girl who pleases the king shall reign in place of Vashti." This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly.
 est:2.5.    There was in the stronghold of Susa a certain Jew named Mordecai, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite,
 est:2.6.    who had been exiled from Jerusalem with the captives taken with Jeconiah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had deported.
 est:2.7.    He was foster father to Hadassah, that is, Esther, his cousin; for she had lost both father and mother. The girl was beautifully formed and lovely to behold. On the death of her father and mother, Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter.
 est:2.8.    When the king's order and decree had been obeyed and many maidens brought together to the stronghold of Susa under the care of Hegai, Esther also was brought in to the royal palace under the care of Hegai, custodian of the women.
 est:2.9.    The girl pleased him and won his favor. So he promptly furnished her with cosmetics and provisions. Then picking out seven maids for her from the royal palace, he transferred both her and her maids to the best place in the harem.
 est:2.10.   Esther did not reveal her nationality or family, for Mordecai had commanded her not to do so.
 est:2.11.   Day by day Mordecai would walk about in front of the court of the harem, to learn how Esther was faring and what was to become of her.
 est:2.12.   Each girl went in turn to visit King Ahasuerus after the twelve months' preparation decreed for the women. Of this period of beautifying treatment, six months were spent with oil of myrrh, and the other six months with perfumes and cosmetics.
 est:2.13.   Then, when the girl was to visit the king, she was allowed to take with her from the harem to the royal palace whatever she chose.
 est:2.14.   She would go in the evening and return in the morning to a second harem under the care of the royal eunuch Shaashgaz, custodian of the concubines. She could not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and had her summoned by name.
 est:2.15.   As for Esther, daughter of Abihail and adopted daughter of his nephew Mordecai, when her turn came to visit the king, she did not ask for anything but what the royal eunuch Hegai, custodian of the women, suggested. Yet she won the admiration of all who saw her.
 est:2.16.   Esther was led to King Ahasuerus in his palace in the tenth month, Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
 est:2.17.   The king loved Esther more than all other women, and of all the virgins she won his favor and benevolence. So he placed the royal diadem on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.
 est:2.18.   Then the king gave a great feast in honor of Esther to all his officials and ministers, granting a holiday to the provinces and bestowing gifts with royal bounty.
 est:2.19.   [To resume: From the time the virgins had been brought together, and while Mordecai was passing his time at the king's gate,
 est:2.20.   Esther had not revealed her family or nationality, because Mordecai had told her not to; and Esther continued to follow Mordecai's instructions, just as she had when she was being brought up by him.
 est:2.21.   And during the time that Mordecai spent at the king's gate, Bagathan and Thares, two of the royal eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted in anger to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
 est:2.22.   When the plot became known to Mordecai, he told Queen Esther, who in turn informed the king for Mordecai.
 est:2.23.   The matter was investigated and verified, and both of them were hanged on a gibbet. This was written in the annals for the king's use.]
   
 est:3.1.    After these events King Ahasuerus raised Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, to high rank, seating him above all his fellow officials.
 est:3.2.    All the king's servants who were at the royal gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, for that is what the king had ordered in his regard. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and bow down.
 est:3.3.    The king's servants who were at the royal gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's order?"
 est:3.4.    When they had reminded him day after day and he would not listen to them, they informed Haman, to see whether Mordecai's explanation was acceptable, since he had told them that he was a Jew.
 est:3.5.    When Haman observed that Mordecai would not kneel and bow down to him, he was filled with anger.
 est:3.6.    Moreover, he thought it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Since they had told Haman of Mordecai's nationality, he sought to destroy all the Jews, Mordecai's people, throughout the realm of King Ahasuerus.
 est:3.7.    In the first month, Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the pur, or lot, was cast in Haman's presence to determine the day and the month for the destruction of Mordecai's people on a single day, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.
 est:3.8.    Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus: "Dispersed among the nations throughout the provinces of your kingdom, there is a certain people living apart, with laws differing from those of every other people. They do not obey the laws of the king, and so it is not proper for the king to tolerate them.
 est:3.9.    If it please the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them; and I will deliver to the procurators ten thousand silver talents for deposit in the royal treasury."
 est:3.10.   The king took the signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.
 est:3.11.   "The silver you may keep," the king said to Haman, "but as for this people, do with them whatever you please."
 est:3.12.   So the royal scribes were summoned; and on the thirteenth day of the first month they wrote, at the dictation of Haman, an order to the royal satraps, the governors of every province, and the officials of every people, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring.
 est:3.13.   Letters were sent by couriers to all the royal provinces, that all the Jews, young and old, including women and children, should be killed, destroyed, wiped out in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and that their goods should be seized as spoil.

 prologue2:1. This is a copy of the letter: "The great King Ahasuerus writes to the satraps of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia, and the governors subordinate to them, as follows:
 prologue2:2. When I came to rule many peoples and to hold sway over the whole world, I determined not to be carried away with the sense of power, but always to deal fairly and with clemency; to provide for my subjects a life of complete tranquillity; and by making my government humane and effective as far as the borders, to restore the peace desired by all men.
 prologue2:3. When I consulted my counselors as to how this might be accomplished, Haman, who excels among us in wisdom, who is outstanding for constant devotion and steadfast loyalty, and who has gained the second rank in the kingdom,
 prologue2:4. brought it to our attention that, mixed in with all the races throughout the world, there is one people of bad will, which by its laws is opposed to every other people and continually disregards the decrees of kings, so that the unity of empire blamelessly designed by us cannot be established.
 prologue2:5. "Having noted, therefore, that this most singular people is continually at variance with all men, lives by divergent and alien laws, is inimical to our interests, and commits the worst crimes, so that stability of government cannot be obtained,
 prologue2:6. we hereby decree that all those who are indicated to you in the letters of Haman, who is in charge of the administration and is a second father to us, shall, together with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the swords of their enemies, without any pity or mercy, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, of the current year;
 prologue2:7. so that when these people, whose present ill will is of long standing, have gone down into the nether world by a violent death on a single day, they may at last leave our affairs stable and undisturbed for the future."

 est:3.14.   A copy of the decree to be promulgated as law in every province was published to all the peoples, that they might be prepared for that day.
 est:3.15.   The couriers set out in haste at the king's command; meanwhile, the decree was promulgated in the stronghold of Susa. The king and Haman then sat down to feast, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.
   
 est:4.1.    When Mordecai learned all that was happening, he tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and walked through the city crying out loudly and bitterly,
 est:4.2.    till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter.
 est:4.3.    (Likewise in each of the provinces, wherever the king's legal enactment reached, the Jews went into deep mourning, with fasting, weeping, and lament; they all slept on sackcloth and ashes.)
 est:4.4.    Queen Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her. Overwhelmed with anguish, she sent garments for Mordecai to put on, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he refused.
 est:4.5.    Esther then summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had placed at her service, and commanded him to find out what this action of Mordecai meant and the reason for it.
 est:4.6.    So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the royal gate,
 est:4.7.    and Mordecai told him all that had happened, as well as the exact amount of silver Haman had promised to pay to the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews.
 est:4.8.    He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction which had been promulgated in Susa, to show and explain to Esther. He was to instruct her to go to the king; she was to plead and intercede with him in behalf of her people. "Remember the days of your lowly estate," Mordecai had him say, "when you were brought up in my charge; for Haman, who is second to the king, has asked for our death.
 est:4.9.    Invoke the Lord and speak to the king for us: save us from death." Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.
 est:4.10.   Then Esther replied to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai:
 est:4.11.   "All the servants of the king and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned, suffers the automatic penalty of death, unless the king extends to him the golden scepter, thus sparing his life. Now as for me, I have not been summoned to the king for thirty days."
 est:4.12.   When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai,
 est:4.13.   he had this reply brought to her: "Do not imagine that because you are in the king's palace, you alone of all the Jews will escape.
 est:4.14.   Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows but that it was for a time like this that you obtained the royal dignity?"
 est:4.15.   Esther sent back to Mordecai the response:
 est:4.16.   "Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking, night or day, for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!"
 est:4.17.   Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded.

 prologue3:1. Recalling all that the Lord had done, he prayed to him
 prologue3:2. and said: "O Lord God, almighty King, all things are in your power, and there is no one to oppose you in your will to save Israel.
 prologue3:3. You made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under the heavens. You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, Lord.
 prologue3:4. You know all things. You know, O Lord, that it was not out of insolence or pride or desire for fame that I acted thus in not bowing down to the proud Haman. Gladly would I have kissed the soles of his feet for the salvation of Israel.
 prologue3:5. But I acted as I did so as not to place the honor of man above that of God. I will not bow down to anyone but you, my Lord. It is not out of pride that I am acting thus.
 prologue3:6. And now, Lord God, King, God of Abraham, spare your people, for our enemies plan our ruin and are bent upon destroying the inheritance that was yours from the beginning.
 prologue3:7. Do not spurn your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of Egypt.
 prologue3:8. Hear my prayer; have pity on your inheritance and turn our sorrow into joy: thus we shall live to sing praise to your name, O Lord. Do not silence those who praise you."
 prologue3:9. All Israel, too, cried out with all their strength, for death was staring them in the face.
 prologue3:10 Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, likewise had recourse to the Lord. Taking off her splendid garments, she put on garments of distress and mourning. In place of her precious ointments she covered her head with dirt and ashes. She afflicted her body severely; all her festive adornments were put aside, and her hair was wholly disheveled. Then she prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying:
 prologue3:11 "My Lord, our King, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand.
 prologue3:12 As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forefathers that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among all their ancestors, as a lasting heritage, and that you fulfilled all your promises to them.
 prologue3:13 But now we have sinned in your sight, and you have delivered us into the hands of our enemies, because we worshiped their gods. You are just, O Lord.
 prologue3:14 But now they are not satisfied with our bitter servitude, but have undertaken to do away with the decree you have pronounced, and to destroy your heritage; to close the mouths of those who praise you, and to extinguish the glory of your temple and your altar;
 prologue3:15 to open the mouths of the heathen to acclaim their false gods, and to extol an earthly king forever.
 prologue3:16 "O Lord, do not relinquish your scepter to those that are nought. Let them not gloat over our ruin, but turn their own counsel against them and make an example of our chief enemy.
 prologue3:17 Be mindful of us, O Lord. Manifest yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power.
 prologue3:18 Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.
 prologue3:19 Save us by your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one
 prologue3:20 but you, O Lord. "You know all things. You know that I hate the glory of the pagans, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised or of any foreigner.
 prologue3:21 You know that I am under constraint, that I abhor the sign of grandeur which rests on my head when I appear in public; abhor it like a polluted rag, and do not wear it in private.
 prologue3:22 I, your handmaid, have never eaten at the table of Haman, nor have I graced the banquet of the king or drunk the wine of libations.
 prologue3:23 From the day I was brought here till now, your handmaid has had no joy except in you, O Lord, God of Abraham.
 prologue3:24 O God, more powerful than all, hear the voice of those in despair. Save us from the power of the wicked, and deliver me from my fear."

 prologue4:1. On the third day, putting an end to her prayers, she took off her penitential garments and arrayed herself in her royal attire.
 prologue4:2. In making her state appearance, after invoking the all-seeing God and savior, she took with her two maids; on the one she leaned gently for support, while the other followed her, bearing her train.
 prologue4:3. She glowed with the perfection of her beauty and her countenance was as joyous as it was lovely, though her heart was shrunk with fear.
 prologue4:4. She passed through all the portals till she stood face to face with the king, who was seated on his royal throne, clothed in full robes of state, and covered with gold and precious stones, so that he inspired great awe.
 prologue4:5. As he looked up, his features ablaze with the height of majestic anger, the queen staggered, changed color, and leaned weakly against the head of the maid in front of her.
 prologue4:6. But God changed the king's anger to gentleness. In great anxiety he sprang from his throne, held her in his arms until she recovered, and comforted her with reassuring words.
 prologue4:7. "What is it, Esther?" he said to her. "I am your brother. Take courage! You shall not die because of this general decree of ours. Come near!"
 prologue4:8. Raising the golden scepter, he touched her neck with it, embraced her, and said, "Speak to me."
 prologue4:9. She replied: "I saw you, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled with fear of your majesty.
 prologue4:10 For you are awesome, my lord, though your glance is full of kindness."
 prologue4:11 As she said this, she fainted. The king became troubled and all his attendants tried to revive her.

 est:5.1.    [Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal garments and stood in the inner courtyard, looking toward the royal palace, while the king was seated on his royal throne in the audience chamber, facing the palace doorway.
 est:5.2.    He saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, and made her welcome by extending toward her the golden staff which he held. She came up to him, and touched the top of the staff.]
 est:5.3.    Then the king said to her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it is half of my kingdom, it shall be granted you."
 est:5.4.    "If it please your majesty," Esther replied, "come today with Haman to a banquet I have prepared."
 est:5.5.    And the king ordered, "Have Haman make haste to fulfill the wish of Esther." So the king went with Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.
 est:5.6.    During the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, "Whatever you ask for shall be granted, and whatever request you make shall be honored, even if it is for half my kingdom."
 est:5.7.    Esther replied: "This is my petition and request:
 est:5.8.    if I have found favor with the king and if it pleases your majesty to grant my petition and honor my request, come with Haman tomorrow to a banquet which I shall prepare for you; and then I will do as you ask."
 est:5.9.    That day Haman left happy and in good spirits. But when he saw that Mordecai at the royal gate did not rise, and showed no fear of him, he was filled with anger toward him.
 est:5.10.   Haman restrained himself, however, and went home, where he summoned his friends and his wife Zeresh.
 est:5.11.   He recounted the greatness of his riches, the large number of his sons, and just how the king had promoted him and placed him above the officials and royal servants.
 est:5.12.   "Moreover," Haman added, "Queen Esther invited no one but me to the banquet with the king; again tomorrow I am to be her guest, with the king.
 est:5.13.   Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I continue to see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the royal gate."
 est:5.14.   His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gibbet set up, fifty cubits in height, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king in good cheer." This suggestion pleased Haman, and he had the gibbet erected.
   
 est:6.1.    That night the king, unable to sleep, asked that the chronicle of notable events be brought in. While this was being read to him,
 est:6.2.    the passage occurred in which Mordecai reported Bagathan and Teresh, two of the royal eunuchs who guarded the entrance, for seeking to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.
 est:6.3.    The king asked, "What was done to reward and honor Mordecai for this?" The king's attendants replied, "Nothing was done for him."
 est:6.4.    "Who is in the court?" the king asked. Now Haman had entered the outer court of the king's palace to suggest to the king that Mordecai should be hanged on the gibbet he had raised for him.
 est:6.5.    The king's servants answered him, "Haman is waiting in the court." "Let him come in," the king said.
 est:6.6.    When Haman entered, the king said to him, "What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to reward?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king more probably wish to reward than me?"
 est:6.7.    So he replied to the king: "For the man whom the king wishes to reward
 est:6.8.    there should be brought the royal robe which the king wore and the horse on which the king rode when the royal crown was placed on his head.
 est:6.9.    The robe and the horse should be consigned to one of the noblest of the king's officials, who must clothe the man the king wishes to reward, have him ride on the horse in the public square of the city, and cry out before him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward!' "
 est:6.10.   Then the king said to Haman: "Hurry! Take the robe and horse as you have proposed, and do this for the Jew Mordecai, who is sitting at the royal gate. Do not omit anything you proposed."
 est:6.11.   So Haman took the robe and horse, clothed Mordecai, had him ride in the public square of the city, and cried out before him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to reward!"
 est:6.12.   Mordecai then returned to the royal gate, while Haman hurried home, his head covered in grief.
 est:6.13.   When he told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you are beginning to decline, is of the Jewish race, you will not prevail against him, but will surely be defeated by him."
 est:6.14.   While they were speaking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman off to the banquet Esther had prepared.
   
 est:7.1.    So the king and Haman went to the banquet with Queen Esther.
 est:7.2.    Again, on this second day, during the drinking of the wine, the king said to Esther, "Whatever you ask, Queen Esther, shall be granted you. Whatever request you make shall be honored, even for half the kingdom."
 est:7.3.    Queen Esther replied: "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, I ask that my life be spared, and I beg that you spare the lives of my people.
 est:7.4.    For my people and I have been delivered to destruction, slaughter, and extinction. If we were to be sold into slavery I would remain silent, but as it is, the enemy will be unable to compensate for the harm done to the king."
 est:7.5.    "Who and where," said King Ahasuerus to Queen Esther, "is the man who has dared to do this?"
 est:7.6.    Esther replied, "The enemy oppressing us is this wicked Haman." At this, Haman was seized with dread of the king and queen.
 est:7.7.    The king left the banquet in anger and went into the garden of the palace, but Haman stayed to beg Queen Esther for his life, since he saw that the king had decided on his doom.
 est:7.8.    When the king returned from the garden of the palace to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch on which Esther was reclining; and the king exclaimed, "Will he also violate the queen while she is with me in my own house!" Scarcely had the king spoken when the face of Haman was covered over.
 est:7.9.    Harbona, one of the eunuchs who attended the king, said, "At the house of Haman stands a gibbet fifty cubits high. Haman prepared it for Mordecai, who gave the report that benefited the king." The king answered, "Hang him on it."
 est:7.10.   So they hanged Haman on the gibbet which he had made ready for Mordecai, and the anger of the king abated.
   
 est:8.1.    That day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, enemy of the Jews, to Queen Esther; and Mordecai was admitted to the king's presence, for Esther had revealed his relationship to her.
 est:8.2.    The king removed his signet ring from Haman, and transferred it into the keeping of Mordecai; and Esther put Mordecai in charge of the house of Haman.
 est:8.3.    In another audience with the king, Esther fell at his feet and tearfully implored him to revoke the harm done by Haman the Agagite, and the plan he had devised against the Jews.
 est:8.4.    The king stretched forth the golden scepter to Esther. So she rose and, standing in his presence,
 est:8.5.    said: "If it pleases your majesty and seems proper to you, and if I have found favor with you and you love me, let a document be issued to revoke the letters which that schemer Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, wrote for the destruction of the Jews in all the royal provinces.
 est:8.6.    For how can I witness the evil that is to befall my people, and how can I behold the destruction of my race?"
 est:8.7.    King Ahasuerus then said to Queen Esther and to the Jew Mordecai: "Now that I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gibbet because he attacked the Jews,
 est:8.8.    you in turn may write in the king's name what you see fit concerning the Jews and seal the letter with the royal signet ring." For whatever is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.
 est:8.9.    At that time, on the twenty-third day of the third month, Sivan, the royal scribes were summoned. Exactly as Mordecai dictated, they wrote to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and officials of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia: to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.
 est:8.10.   These letters, which he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the royal signet ring, he sent by mounted couriers riding thoroughbred royal steeds.
 est:8.11.   In these letters the king authorized the Jews in each and every city to group together and defend their lives, and to kill, destroy, wipe out, along with their wives and children, every armed group of any nation or province which should attack them, and to seize their goods as spoil
 est:8.12.   throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on a single day, the thirteenth of the twelfth month, Adar.
 est:8.13.   A copy of the letter to be promulgated as law in each and every province was published among all the peoples, so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
 est:8.14.   Couriers mounted on royal steeds sped forth in haste at the king's order, and the decree was promulgated in the stronghold of Susa.
 est:8.15.   Mordecai left the king's presence clothed in a royal robe of violet and of white cotton, with a large crown of gold and a cloak of crimson byssus. The city of Susa shouted with joy,
 est:8.16.   and there was splendor and merriment for the Jews, exultation and triumph.
 est:8.17.   In each and every province and in each and every city, wherever the king's order arrived, there was merriment and exultation, banqueting and feasting for the Jews. And many of the peoples of the land embraced Judaism, for they were seized with a fear of the Jews.

 prologue5:1.  The following is a copy of the letter: "King Ahasuerus the Great to the governors of the provinces in the hundred and twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia, and to those responsible for our interests: Greetings!
 prologue5:2.  "Many have become the more ambitious the more they were showered with honors through the bountiful generosity of their patrons. Not only do they seek to do harm to our subjects; incapable of bearing such greatness, they even begin plotting against their own benefactors.
 prologue5:3.  Not only do they drive out gratitude from among men; with the arrogant boastfulness of those to whom goodness has no meaning, they suppose they will escape the vindictive judgment of the all-seeing God.
 prologue5:4.  "Often, too, the fair speech of friends entrusted with the administration of affairs has induced many placed in authority to become accomplices in the shedding of innocent blood, and has involved them in irreparable calamities
 prologue5:5.  by deceiving with malicious slander the sincere good will of rulers.
 prologue5:6.  This can be verified in the ancient stories that have been handed down to us, but more fully when one considers the wicked deeds perpetrated in your midst by the pestilential influence of those undeserving of authority.
 prologue5:7.  We must provide for the future, so as to render the kingdom undisturbed and peaceful for all men,
 prologue5:8.  taking advantage of changing conditions and deciding always with equitable treatment matters coming to our attention.
 prologue5:9.  "For instance, Haman, son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian, certainly not of Persian blood, and very different from us in generosity, was hospitably received by us.
 prologue5:10. He so far enjoyed the good will which we have toward all peoples that he was proclaimed "father of the king,' before whom everyone was to bow down; he attained the rank second to the royal throne.
 prologue5:11. But, unequal to this dignity, he strove to deprive us of kingdom and of life;
 prologue5:12. and by weaving intricate webs of deceit, he demanded the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, and of Esther, our blameless royal consort, together with their whole race.
 prologue5:13. For by such measures he hoped to catch us defenseless and to transfer the rule of the Persians to the Macedonians.
 prologue5:14. But we find that the Jews, who were doomed to extinction by this archcriminal, are not evildoers, but rather are governed by very just laws
 prologue5:15. and are the children of the Most High, the living God of majesty, who has maintained the kingdom in a flourishing condition for us and for our forebears.
 prologue5:16. "You will do well, then, to ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of Hammedatha, for he who composed it has been hanged, together with his entire household, before the gates of Susa. Thus swiftly has God, who governs all, brought just punishment upon him.
 prologue5:17. "You shall exhibit a copy of this letter publicly in every place, to certify that the Jews may follow their own laws, and that you may help them on the day set for their ruin, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, to defend themselves against those who attack them.
 prologue5:18. For God, the ruler of all, has turned that day for them from one of destruction of the chosen race into one of joy.
 prologue5:19. Therefore, you too must celebrate this memorable day among your designated feasts with all rejoicing, so that both now and in the future it may be, for us and for loyal Persians, a celebration of victory, and for those who plot against us a reminder of destruction.
 prologue5:20. "Every city and province, without exception, that does not observe this decree shall be ruthlessly destroyed with fire and sword, so that it will be left not merely untrodden by men, but even shunned by wild beasts and birds forever."

 est:9.1.    When the day arrived on which the order decreed by the king was to be carried out, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, on which the enemies of the Jews had expected to become masters of them, the situation was reversed: the Jews became masters of their enemies.
 est:9.2.    The Jews mustered in their cities throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus to attack those who sought to do them harm, and no one could withstand them, but all peoples were seized with a fear of them.
 est:9.3.    Moreover, all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, governors, and royal procurators supported the Jews from fear of Mordecai;
 est:9.4.    for Mordecai was powerful in the royal palace, and the report was spreading through all the provinces that he was continually growing in power.
 est:9.5.    The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them; they did to their enemies as they pleased.
 est:9.6.    In the stronghold of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.
 est:9.7.    They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,
 est:9.8.    Porathai, Adalia, Aridatha,
 est:9.9.    Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,
 est:9.10.   the ten sons of Haman, son of Hammedatha, the foe of the Jews. However, they did not engage in plundering.
 est:9.11.   On the same day, when the number of those killed in the stronghold of Susa was reported to the king,
 est:9.12.   he said to Queen Esther: "In the stronghold of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, as well as the ten sons of Haman. What must they have done in the other royal provinces! You shall again be granted whatever you ask, and whatever you request shall be honored."
 est:9.13.   So Esther said, "If it pleases your majesty, let the Jews in Susa be permitted again tomorrow to act according to today's decree, and let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on gibbets."
 est:9.14.   The king then gave an order to this effect, and the decree was published in Susa. So the ten sons of Haman were hanged,
 est:9.15.   and the Jews in Susa mustered again on the fourteenth of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa. However, they did not engage in plundering.
 est:9.16.   The other Jews, who dwelt in the royal provinces, also mustered and defended themselves, and obtained rest from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of their foes, without engaging in plunder,
 est:9.17.   on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.
 est:9.18.   (The Jews in Susa, however, mustered on the thirteenth and fourteenth of the month. But on the fifteenth they rested, and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.)
 est:9.19.   That is why the rural Jews, who dwell in villages, celebrate the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of rejoicing and feasting, a holiday on which they send gifts of food to one another.
 est:9.20.   Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews, both near and far, in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.
 est:9.21.   He ordered them to celebrate every year both the fourteenth and the fifteenth of the month of Adar
 est:9.22.   as the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and as the month which was turned for them from sorrow into joy, from mourning into festivity. They were to observe these days with feasting and gladness, sending food to one another and gifts to the poor.
 est:9.23.   The Jews took upon themselves for the future this observance which they instituted at the written direction of Mordecai.
 est:9.24.   Haman, son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the foe of all the Jews, had planned to destroy them and had cast the pur, or lot, for the time of their defeat and destruction.
 est:9.25.   Yet, when Esther entered the royal presence, the king ordered in writing that the wicked plan Haman had devised against the Jews should instead be turned against Haman and that he and his sons should be hanged on gibbets.
 est:9.26.   And so these days have been named Purim after the word pur. Thus, because of all that was contained in this letter, and because of what they had witnessed and experienced in this affair,
 est:9.27.   the Jews established and took upon themselves, their descendants, and all who should join them, the inviolable obligation of celebrating these two days every year in the manner prescribed by this letter, and at the time appointed.
 est:9.28.   These days were to be commemorated and kept in every generation, by every clan, in every province, and in every city. These days of Purim were never to fall into disuse among the Jews, nor into oblivion among their descendants.
 est:9.29.   Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail and of Mordecai the Jew, wrote to confirm with full authority this second letter about Purim,
 est:9.30.   when Mordecai sent documents concerning peace and security to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of Ahasuerus' kingdom.
 est:9.31.   Thus were established, for their appointed time, these days of Purim which Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had designated for the Jews, just as they had previously enjoined upon themselves and upon their race the duty of fasting and supplication.
 est:9.32.   The command of Esther confirmed these prescriptions for Purim and was recorded in the book.

 est:10.1.   King Ahasuerus laid tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.
 est:10.2.   All the acts of his power and valor, as well as a detailed account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia.
 est:10.3.   The Jew Mordecai was next in rank to King Ahasuerus, in high standing among the Jews, and was regarded with favor by his many brethren, as the promoter of his people's welfare and the herald of peace for his whole race.

 prologue6:1. Then Mordecai said: "This is the work of God.
 prologue6:2. I recall the dream I had about these very things, and not a single detail has been left unfulfilled-
 prologue6:3. the tiny spring that grew into a river, the light of the sun, the many waters. The river is Esther, whom the king married and made queen.
 prologue6:4. The two dragons are myself and Haman.
 prologue6:5. The nations are those who assembled to destroy the name of the Jews,
 prologue6:6. but my people is Israel, who cried to God and was saved. "The LORD saved his people and delivered us from all these evils. God worked signs and great wonders, such as have not occurred among the nations.
 prologue6:7. For this purpose he arranged two lots: one for the people of God, the second for all the other nations.
 prologue6:8. These two lots were fulfilled in the hour, the time, and the day of judgment before God and among all the nations.
 prologue6:9. God remembered his people and rendered justice to his inheritance.
 prologue6:10 "Gathering together with joy and happiness before God, they shall celebrate these days on the fourteenth and fifteenth of the month Adar throughout all future generations of his people Israel."

 est:Greek notes: In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest and Levite, and his son Ptolemy brought the present letter of Purim, saying that it was genuine and that Lysimachus, son of Ptolemy, of the community of Jerusalem, had translated it. [end of Esther]

