\id EST - Copyright World Bible Translation Center 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008 
\ide UTF-8
\h Esther 
\toc1 Esther 
\toc2 Esther 
\mt1 Esther 
\c 1  
\s1 Queen Vashti Disobeys the King 
\p
\v 1 \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* what \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* Xerxes\f + \fr 1:1  \fk Xerxes \ft Hebrew, “Ahasuerus.” He was king of Persia about 485-465 B.C.\f* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*. Xerxes \w ruled|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H5704"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w*. 
\v 2 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w ruled|strong="H4428"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7969"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* Xerxes’ \w rule|strong="H4427"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3605"\w* party \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officers|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2426"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* important \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 4 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* party continued \w for|strong="H3117"\w* 180 \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w All|strong="H3117"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, King Xerxes \w was|strong="H3117"\w* showing \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w majestic|strong="H3519"\w* \w beauty|strong="H8597"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* palace. 
\v 5 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 180 \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H0428"\w* \w over|strong="H5704"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* another party \w that|strong="H3605"\w* continued \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w It|strong="H5704"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w held|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* inside \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w palace|strong="H1055"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H0428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w were|strong="H0428"\w* invited, \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* \w important|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* least \w important|strong="H5704"\w*. 
\v 6 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* inside garden had \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* hangings \w around|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* room. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* \w held|strong="H0270"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* place \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w cords|strong="H2256"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w purple|strong="H0713"\w* material \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w rings|strong="H1550"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* marble \w pillars|strong="H5982"\w*. There \w were|strong="H5921"\w* \w couches|strong="H4296"\w* made \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w*. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w were|strong="H5921"\w* sitting \w on|strong="H5921"\w* mosaic \w pavement|strong="H7531"\w* made \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w porphyry|strong="H0923"\w*,\f + \fr 1:6  \fk porphyry \ft A dark red or purple stone.\f* marble, \w mother-of-pearl|strong="H1858"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* other expensive \w stones|strong="H5508"\w*. 
\v 7 \w Wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w served|strong="H8248"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* cups, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* every cup \w was|strong="H4428"\w* different. There \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w plenty|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w very|strong="H7227"\w* generous. 
\v 8 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0369"\w* \w given|strong="H3245"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w command|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H0376"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* guest must \w be|strong="H0376"\w* \w given|strong="H3245"\w* \w as|strong="H3651"\w* \w much|strong="H7227"\w* wine \w as|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* wanted, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wine server obeyed \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\p
\v 9 \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* party \w for|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\p
\v 10-11 On the seventh day of the party, King Xerxes was in high spirits from drinking wine. He gave a command to the seven eunuchs who served him. The eunuchs were Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas. He commanded them to bring Queen Vashti to him wearing her royal crown. She was to come so that she could show her beauty to the leaders and important people. She was very beautiful. 
\p
\v 12 \w But|strong="H0935"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w*, \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w*. 
\v 13-14 It was the custom for the king to ask the advice of the experts about the law and punishments. So King Xerxes spoke with the wise men who understood the laws. They were very close to the king. Their names were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. They were the seven most important officials of Persia and Media. They had special privileges to see the king. They were the highest officials in the kingdom. 
\v 15 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* say \w must|strong="H0853"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*? \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* obeyed \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w command|strong="H3982"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* taken \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*.” 
\p
\v 16 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* listening, “\w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* wrong. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* wrong \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. 
\v 17 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* hear \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w stop|strong="H3808"\w* obeying \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w*, ‘\w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w commanded|strong="H0559"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*.’ 
\p
\v 18 “\w Today|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wives \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Persian \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Median|strong="H4074"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* women \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* influenced \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* important \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w plenty|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* disrespect \w and|strong="H4428"\w* anger. 
\p
\v 19 “\w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w here|strong="H3318"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* suggestion: \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* changed. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w again|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w position|strong="H4438"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w someone|strong="H5414"\w* \w else|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\v 20 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* command \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w announced|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H8085"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* parts \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* respect \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w*. \w From|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* \w important|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* least \w important|strong="H5704"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* respect \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w*.” 
\p
\v 21 \w The|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H4428"\w* important \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w happy|strong="H3190"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* suggested. 
\v 22 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* parts \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4428"\w*. \w He|strong="H0376"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, written \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*. \w He|strong="H0376"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w nation|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*. \w These|strong="H1696"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w announced|strong="H1696"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* person’s \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ruler \w over|strong="H0413"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\c 2  
\s1 Esther Made Queen 
\p
\v 1 \w Later|strong="H0310"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes stopped being \w angry|strong="H2534"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w commands|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w personal|strong="H8334"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H1245"\w* suggestion. \w They|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Search|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H1245"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H4758"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w virgins|strong="H1330"\w* \w for|strong="H1245"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* choose leaders \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* leaders \w bring|strong="H5414"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H4758"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w virgin|strong="H1330"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w These|strong="H3605"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* beauty treatments \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H3651"\w* \w let|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w pleasing|strong="H3190"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* become \w the|strong="H0834"\w* new queen \w in|strong="H4428"\w* Vashti’s \w place|strong="H8478"\w*.” \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w liked|strong="H5869"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* suggestion, \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* accepted \w it|strong="H3651"\w*. 
\p
\v 5 \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w from|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* tribe \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Benjamin \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jair|strong="H2971"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kish|strong="H7027"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* capital city, \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. 
\v 6 Mordecai \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w captivity|strong="H1540"\w* \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w by|strong="H3389"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Babylon|strong="H0894"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* group \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w taken|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w captivity|strong="H1540"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jehoiachin|strong="H3204"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*. 
\v 7 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* cousin named \w Hadassah|strong="H1919"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* didn’t \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w*, \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* care \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* adopted \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w father|strong="H0001"\w* \w and|strong="H0001"\w* \w mother|strong="H0517"\w* \w died|strong="H4194"\w*. \w Hadassah|strong="H1919"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* called \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* very pretty \w face|strong="H4758"\w* \w and|strong="H0001"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w figure|strong="H8389"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w*, \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w They|strong="H3027"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w put|strong="H3947"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*. \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w one|strong="H0802"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w these|strong="H3947"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w She|strong="H0635"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w put|strong="H3947"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* Hegai’s \w care|strong="H3027"\w*. \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. 
\v 9 \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w liked|strong="H5869"\w* Esther. \w She|strong="H2896"\w* \w became|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* favorite, \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w he|strong="H5414"\w* \w quickly|strong="H0926"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* Esther beauty treatments \w and|strong="H4428"\w* special \w food|strong="H4490"\w*. \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w chose|strong="H5375"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* slave \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* Esther. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w he|strong="H5414"\w* moved Esther \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H0802"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* servants \w into|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w place|strong="H5414"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* lived. 
\v 10 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* Jew. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* family background, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 11 \w Every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w walked|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w forth|strong="H3045"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* area \w where|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* king’s \w women|strong="H0802"\w* lived. \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w* \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w was|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w was|strong="H0802"\w* happening \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\p
\v 12 \w Before|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* could \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w turn|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w complete|strong="H4390"\w* \w twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* beauty treatments—\w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w myrrh|strong="H4753"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* perfumes \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w*. 
\v 13 \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H5704"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H2088"\w* choose \w to|strong="H0413"\w* wear \w or|strong="H5704"\w* \w take|strong="H0935"\w* \w whatever|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* wanted \w from|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* women’s living area. 
\v 14 \w In|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* young \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w another|strong="H8145"\w* area \w where|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* lived. \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* placed \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w care|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* man \w named|strong="H8034"\w* \w Shaashgaz|strong="H8190"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w charge|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* slave \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w unless|strong="H0518"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w pleased|strong="H2654"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H4428"\w* \w call|strong="H7121"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\p
\v 15 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* adopted, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w* \w Abihail|strong="H0032"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w officer|strong="H5631"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w charge|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*, suggested. \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w liked|strong="H5869"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 16 \w So|strong="H3947"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w This|strong="H1931"\w* happened \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tebeth|strong="H2887"\w*, \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7651"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w rule|strong="H4438"\w*. 
\p
\v 17 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* young \w women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H0635"\w* \w became|strong="H4427"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* favorite. \w He|strong="H0853"\w* approved \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* others. \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w put|strong="H7760"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* \w crown|strong="H3804"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w Esther’s|strong="H0635"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* new queen \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*. 
\v 18 \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* big party \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* people \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* announced \w a|strong="H5414"\w* festival \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w sent|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H3605"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4864"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* people, \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* generous \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\s1 Mordecai Learns \w About|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* Evil Plan 
\p
\v 19 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w next|strong="H8145"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w time|strong="H8145"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* young \w women|strong="H1330"\w* \w were|strong="H3427"\w* \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w together|strong="H6908"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w time|strong="H8145"\w*. 
\v 20 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* still \w kept|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* secret \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* Jew. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0834"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* family background. \w This|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* still obeyed \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* taking \w care|strong="H0545"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w*. 
\p
\v 21 \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w next|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w this|strong="H3117"\w* happened: \w Bigthana|strong="H0904"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w officers|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w guarded|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* doorway, \w became|strong="H7107"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* began \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w make|strong="H3027"\w* plans \w to|strong="H7971"\w* kill \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. 
\v 22 \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* these plans \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w she|strong="H0635"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w She|strong="H0635"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w one|strong="H1697"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* evil \w plan|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 23 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* checked \w out|strong="H6440"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* learned \w that|strong="H3117"\w* Mordecai’s \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* true. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* guards \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* planned \w to|strong="H5921"\w* kill \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H4672"\w* post. \w All|strong="H3117"\w* these \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H4672"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* histories \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\c 3  
\s1 Haman’s Plan to Destroy the Jews 
\p
\v 1 \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w happened|strong="H1697"\w*, \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes honored \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Hammedatha \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Agagite|strong="H0091"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H7760"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H7760"\w* \w place|strong="H7760"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* honor \w more|strong="H5921"\w* important \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H0428"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. 
\v 2 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* leaders \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w would|strong="H0834"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* honor \w to|strong="H5650"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w them|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H5650"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5650"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w give|strong="H6680"\w* honor \w to|strong="H5650"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* leaders \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* don’t \w you|strong="H0859"\w* obey \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H4687"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* bow down \w to|strong="H0559"\w* Haman?” 
\p
\v 4 \w Day|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* king’s leaders \w spoke|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w refused|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* bow \w down|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w would|strong="H0559"\w* \w do|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\v 5 \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* refused \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w* \w down|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w give|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w* honor, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w very|strong="H3766"\w* \w angry|strong="H2534"\w*. 
\v 6 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* learned \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* satisfied \w to|strong="H7971"\w* kill \w only|strong="H0905"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w find|strong="H1245"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w way|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai’s|strong="H4782"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w in|strong="H5869"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Xerxes’ \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. 
\p
\v 7 \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* twelfth \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes’ \w rule|strong="H4428"\w*, \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nisan|strong="H5212"\w*, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w threw|strong="H5307"\w* \w lots|strong="H1486"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* choose \w a|strong="H3117"\w* special \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* twelfth \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* chosen. (\w At|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* called “\w pur|strong="H6332"\w*.”) 
\v 8 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes, \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H0259"\w* \w certain|strong="H0259"\w* group \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w scattered|strong="H6340"\w* \w among|strong="H0996"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w They|strong="H0559"\w* \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* themselves \w separate|strong="H6504"\w* \w from|strong="H6504"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* customs \w are|strong="H3426"\w* different \w from|strong="H6504"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w they|strong="H0559"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w*. \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* right \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w allow|strong="H3240"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* continue \w to|strong="H0559"\w* live \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. 
\p
\v 9 “\w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w have|strong="H0518"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* suggestion: \w Give|strong="H0006"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w destroy|strong="H0006"\w* these \w people|strong="H0518"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w put|strong="H0935"\w* 750,000 pounds\f + \fr 3:9  \fk 750,000 pounds \ft Literally, “10,000 talents” (340,000 kg).\f* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* treasury. \w This|strong="H0935"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* could \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* these things.” 
\p
\v 10 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* official \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w off|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w finger|strong="H2885"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Hammedatha \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Agagite|strong="H0091"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\v 11 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w Keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want \w with|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.” 
\p
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 13th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* secretaries \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w satraps|strong="H0323"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* different \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* different groups \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w himself|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* own \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. 
\p
\v 13 \w Messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w carried|strong="H7323"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w were|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* ruin, \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w completely|strong="H3605"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w This|strong="H1931"\w* meant \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w people|strong="H5288"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w people|strong="H5288"\w*, \w women|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w little|strong="H2945"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w* too. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H7971"\w* \w single|strong="H0259"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 13th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* twelfth \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w command|strong="H3027"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w take|strong="H0962"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\p
\v 14 \w A|strong="H1961"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* letters \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* command \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* announced \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w nation|strong="H5971"\w* living \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* kingdom. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w ready|strong="H6264"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\v 15 \w At|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w hurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w off|strong="H5414"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w capital|strong="H3427"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w but|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w confusion|strong="H0943"\w*. 
\c 4  
\s1 Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help 
\p
\v 1 \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* heard \w about|strong="H3045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w clothes|strong="H0899"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w ashes|strong="H0665"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* head, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H8432"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w crying|strong="H2199"\w* \w loudly|strong="H1419"\w*. 
\v 2 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* Mordecai \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w only|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w No|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* allowed \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w dressed|strong="H3830"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*. 
\v 3 \w In|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w*, \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w much|strong="H7227"\w* \w crying|strong="H1065"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* sadness among \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6685"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w crying|strong="H1065"\w* \w loudly|strong="H1419"\w*. \w Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* lying \w on|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ground|strong="H4725"\w* dressed \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w ashes|strong="H0665"\w* \w on|strong="H4725"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* heads. 
\p
\v 4 \w Esther’s|strong="H0635"\w* slave \w women|strong="H5291"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w This|strong="H5046"\w* \w made|strong="H6901"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* sad \w and|strong="H0935"\w* upset. \w She|strong="H0635"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w clothes|strong="H0899"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w instead|strong="H3808"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H5291"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w accept|strong="H6901"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w*, \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w chosen|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w serve|strong="H6440"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* bothering \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w*. 
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w open|strong="H6440"\w* place \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. 
\v 7 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* Hathach \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w exact|strong="H6575"\w* \w amount|strong="H6575"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w promised|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* put \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* treasury \w for|strong="H5921"\w* killing \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\v 8 Mordecai \w also|strong="H0853"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* Hathach \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* kill \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Jews. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w command|strong="H6680"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w sent|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* all \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* Hathach \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w everything|strong="H0834"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* encourage \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w beg|strong="H1245"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w mercy|strong="H2603"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* Mordecai \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w her|strong="H0413"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. 
\p
\v 9 \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* everything \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0853"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\p
\v 10 \w Then|strong="H0559"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* this \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*: 
\v 11 “Mordecai, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* leaders \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*: \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w goes|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* being \w called|strong="H7121"\w*. \w That|strong="H0834"\w* \w person|strong="H0376"\w* \w must|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w* \w unless|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w holds|strong="H3447"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w If|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w that|strong="H0834"\w* person’s \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* saved. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w see|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* 30 \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.” 
\p
\v 12-13 Then Esther’s message was given to Mordecai. When he got her message, Mordecai sent his answer back: “Esther, don’t think that just because you live in the king’s palace you will be the only Jew to escape. 
\v 14 \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* keep quiet \w now|strong="H3588"\w*, help \w and|strong="H1004"\w* freedom \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w* \w from|strong="H0006"\w* \w another|strong="H0312"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* \w father’s|strong="H0001"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w all|strong="H3045"\w* \w die|strong="H0006"\w*. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w*, maybe \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0001"\w* \w been|strong="H0006"\w* \w chosen|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w be|strong="H0001"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* queen \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*.” 
\p
\v 15-16 Then Esther sent this answer to Mordecai: “Mordecai, go and get all the Jews in Susa together, and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days and nights. I and my women servants will fast too. After we fast, I will go to the king. I know it is against the law to go to the king if he didn’t call me, but I will do it anyway. If I die, I die.” 
\p
\v 17 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* went \w away|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3605"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w told|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. 
\c 5  
\s1 Esther Speaks to the King 
\p
\v 1 \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* special \w robes|strong="H4438"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H0635"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w inside|strong="H1004"\w* area \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w front|strong="H5227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w hall|strong="H1004"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w hall|strong="H1004"\w*, facing \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w place|strong="H1961"\w* \w where|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w enter|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w room|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\v 2 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* very \w pleased|strong="H5869"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w held|strong="H1961"\w* \w out|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*. \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w went|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* room \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w went|strong="H1961"\w* \w near|strong="H7126"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* end \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* bothering \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*? \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w*, \w even|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.” 
\p
\v 4 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* party \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. \w Will|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w please|strong="H2895"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* party \w today|strong="H3117"\w*?” 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w may|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w asks|strong="H0559"\w*.” 
\p \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* party \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\v 6 \w While|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H5704"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* \w drinking|strong="H4960"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* again, “\w Now|strong="H5414"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H4960"\w*? \w Ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H4960"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want? \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want, \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.” 
\p
\v 7 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “This \w is|strong="H0559"\w* \w what|strong="H1246"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H0559"\w*: 
\v 8 \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w pleased|strong="H5869"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* thinks \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w good|strong="H2895"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* another party \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w tell|strong="H0413"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* really want.” 
\s1 \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* Anger \w at|strong="H0413"\w* Mordecai 
\p
\v 9 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* palace \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* very \w happy|strong="H8056"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* mood. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w became|strong="H7200"\w* very \w angry|strong="H2534"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* very mad \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w any|strong="H4480"\w* \w respect|strong="H5921"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* walked \w by|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* afraid \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* made \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* mad. 
\v 10 \w But|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w controlled|strong="H0662"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* anger \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* called together \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w friends|strong="H0157"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w*, \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w*. 
\v 11 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* started bragging \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w how|strong="H0834"\w* \w rich|strong="H1431"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* bragging \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w many|strong="H7230"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ways \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* honored \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* bragging \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w how|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* higher \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*. 
\v 12 “\w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w that’s|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w all|strong="H0637"\w*,” \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w added|strong="H0559"\w*. “I’m \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w only|strong="H0518"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* party \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* again \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w*. 
\v 13 \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* means \w nothing|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w cannot|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* happy \w as|strong="H0834"\w* long \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.” 
\p
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w friends|strong="H0157"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* suggestion. \w They|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Tell|strong="H0559"\w* someone \w to|strong="H0413"\w* build \w a|strong="H0935"\w* post \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Make|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* 75 \w feet|strong="H0520"\w*\f + \fr 5:14  \fk 75 feet \ft Literally, “50 cubits” (22 m).\f* tall. \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* party \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w happy|strong="H8056"\w*.” 
\p \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* liked \w this|strong="H1697"\w* suggestion, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w ordered|strong="H0559"\w* someone \w to|strong="H0413"\w* build \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* post. 
\c 6  
\s1 Mordecai Is Honored 
\p
\v 1 \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w could|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*. \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* servant \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* history \w book|strong="H5612"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*. (\bk \+w The|strong="H0853"\+w* \+w Book|strong="H5612"\+w* \+w of|strong="H4428"\+w* History \+w of|strong="H4428"\+w* \+w the|strong="H0853"\+w* \+w Kings|strong="H4428"\+w*\bk* lists everything \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w happens|strong="H1961"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w rule|strong="H1697"\w*.) 
\v 2 \w The|strong="H0834"\w* servant read \w the|strong="H0834"\w* book \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* read \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* evil plan \w to|strong="H5921"\w* kill \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. \w That|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* learned \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w Bigthana|strong="H0904"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*. \w These|strong="H0834"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w men|strong="H8147"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w officers|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w guarded|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* doorway. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* planned \w to|strong="H5921"\w* kill \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w but|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* learned \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* plan \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* someone \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* good \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* given \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?” 
\p \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.” 
\p
\v 4 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w entered|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w outer|strong="H2435"\w* area \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* post \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w commanded|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* built. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H0834"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w into|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w*?” 
\v 5 \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w*.” 
\p \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w*.” 
\p
\v 6 \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w*, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* question. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H0935"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wants \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*?” 
\p \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w himself|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w there|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*? I’m sure \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* talking \w about|strong="H4480"\w* honoring \w me|strong="H4480"\w*.” 
\p
\v 7 \w So|strong="H0834"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “Do \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* loves \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*: 
\v 8 \w Have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* servants \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* special \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w worn|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w ridden|strong="H7392"\w*. \w Have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* servants \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* special mark \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* horse’s \w head|strong="H7218"\w*. 
\v 9 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* important \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w leader|strong="H8269"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wants \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w lead|strong="H7392"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w streets|strong="H7339"\w*. \w As|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* leads \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w announce|strong="H7121"\w*, ‘\w This|strong="H3602"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wants \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!’” 
\p
\v 10 “\w Go|strong="H5307"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w*,” \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w commanded|strong="H0559"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. “\w Get|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* suggested \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* near \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* suggested.” 
\p
\v 11 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w got|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*. \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w led|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w horseback|strong="H5483"\w* through \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w streets|strong="H7339"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* announced \w ahead|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, “\w This|strong="H3602"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wants \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!” 
\p
\v 12 \w After|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H7725"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w but|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w hurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w because|strong="H0413"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* embarrassed \w and|strong="H4428"\w* ashamed. 
\v 13 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H0802"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w friends|strong="H0157"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*. \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w and|strong="H0802"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w men|strong="H2450"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w gave|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w* advice \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* win. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* already \w started|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w*. \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* ruined!” 
\p
\v 14 \w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w talking|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* house. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w hurry|strong="H0926"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* party \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*. 
\c 7  
\s1 Haman Is Hanged 
\p
\v 1 \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* eat \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w drinking|strong="H4960"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* party, \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w again|strong="H8145"\w* \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* question, “\w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w*? \w Ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want? \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w anything|strong="H4100"\w*, \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.” 
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H6030"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w answered|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w King|strong="H4428"\w*, \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w like|strong="H4672"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2895"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*, \w please|strong="H2895"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* live. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* live \w too|strong="H5921"\w*. \w This|strong="H0518"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w ask|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 4 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w been|strong="H0006"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H8045"\w*—\w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w wiped|strong="H0006"\w* \w out|strong="H0006"\w* \w completely|strong="H8045"\w*. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H0369"\w* just \w been|strong="H0006"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*, \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w would|strong="H8198"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* kept quiet, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H8198"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* enough \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* problem \w to|strong="H0369"\w* bother \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.” 
\p
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*? \w Where|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* man \w who|strong="H0834"\w* dared \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w*?” 
\p
\v 6 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w against|strong="H6440"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w*, \w our|strong="H2088"\w* \w enemy|strong="H0341"\w*, \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*.” 
\p \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H0376"\w* filled \w with|strong="H0376"\w* terror \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*. 
\v 7 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* very \w angry|strong="H2534"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*, \w left|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w went|strong="H6965"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stayed|strong="H5975"\w* inside \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w beg|strong="H1245"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w save|strong="H5315"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* begged \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* knew \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* already \w decided|strong="H3615"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* kill \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\v 8 \w Just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w coming|strong="H3318"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* party \w room|strong="H1004"\w*, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* saw \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w falling|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w couch|strong="H4296"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w lying|strong="H5307"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w anger|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* voice, “\w Will|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* attack \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w while|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* am \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*?” 
\p \w As|strong="H0834"\w* soon \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w*, servants \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w killed|strong="H5307"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*.\f + \fr 7:8  \fk killed Haman \ft Literally, “covered Haman’s face.”\f* 
\v 9 \w One|strong="H0259"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w served|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w named|strong="H1696"\w* \w Harbona|strong="H2726"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w A|strong="H4480"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* post 75 \w feet|strong="H0520"\w*\f + \fr 7:9  \fk 75 feet \ft Literally, “50 cubits” (22 m).\f* tall \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w been|strong="H0834"\w* \w built|strong="H6213"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w man|strong="H0259"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* helped \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* evil \w plans|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* kill \w you|strong="H0834"\w*.” 
\p \w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* post!” 
\p
\v 10 \w So|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* post \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* built \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* stopped being \w angry|strong="H2534"\w*. 
\c 8  
\s1 The King’s Order to Help the Jews 
\p
\v 1 \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* everything \w that|strong="H3588"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* cousin. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w see|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\v 2 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* gotten \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w back|strong="H1004"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w took|strong="H5493"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w off|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w finger|strong="H2885"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w everything|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w again|strong="H3254"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* began \w crying|strong="H1058"\w*. \w She|strong="H0834"\w* begged \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* cancel \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w plan|strong="H2803"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Agagite|strong="H0091"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w thought|strong="H2803"\w* \w up|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w plan|strong="H2803"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* hurt \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\p
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* held \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\v 5 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w she|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w King|strong="H4428"\w*, \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w pleases|strong="H5869"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*, please \w do|strong="H0518"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*. Please \w do|strong="H0518"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w think|strong="H5869"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w idea|strong="H1697"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w happy|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*, please \w write|strong="H3789"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H0559"\w* stop \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Agagite|strong="H0091"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w plan|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w destroy|strong="H0006"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w commands|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w happen|strong="H4672"\w*. 
\v 6 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* am begging \w the|strong="H0853"\w* king \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3201"\w* bear \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w these|strong="H5971"\w* \w terrible|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H0834"\w* \w happen|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H3201"\w* \w not|strong="H3201"\w* bear \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* family killed.” 
\p
\v 7 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w answered|strong="H0559"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, “\w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w property|strong="H0834"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*. \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* soldiers \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w hanging|strong="H8518"\w* post. 
\v 8 \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w write|strong="H3789"\w* another \w command|strong="H5921"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w authority|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Write|strong="H3789"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* help \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w way|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w seems|strong="H5869"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0859"\w* \w seal|strong="H2856"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* order \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* special \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. \w No|strong="H0369"\w* official \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w authority|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* canceled.” 
\p
\v 9 \w Very|strong="H5704"\w* quickly \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* secretaries \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w called|strong="H7121"\w*. \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 23rd \w day|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sivan|strong="H5510"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w out|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai’s|strong="H4782"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w satraps|strong="H0323"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*. \w These|strong="H1931"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w reached|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* translated \w into|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* group \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w commands|strong="H6680"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* own \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* alphabet. 
\v 10 \w Mordecai|strong="H3789"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* commands \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. \w Then|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H7971"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*. \w The|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* fast \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*, which \w were|strong="H1121"\w* raised especially \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* commands \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* letters said \w this|strong="H0834"\w*: \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w gather|strong="H6950"\w* \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* protect \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w to|strong="H5921"\w* ruin, \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w completely|strong="H3605"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* group \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w might|strong="H0834"\w* attack \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w take|strong="H0962"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w property|strong="H0834"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* enemies. 
\p
\v 12 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* set \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jews \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 13th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* twelfth \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* permitted \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes’ \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*. 
\v 13 \w A|strong="H1961"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* king’s command \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w sent|strong="H5414"\w* \w out|strong="H3605"\w*. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* announced \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w nation|strong="H5971"\w* living \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* kingdom. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* ready \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* special \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w allowed|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w pay|strong="H5414"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* back. 
\v 14 \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w hurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w*, \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H7409"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* commanded \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w hurry|strong="H0926"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w put|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. 
\p
\v 15 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* wearing special \w clothes|strong="H3830"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w His|strong="H6440"\w* \w clothes|strong="H3830"\w* \w were|strong="H6440"\w* \w blue|strong="H8504"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H3318"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H2091"\w* \w a|strong="H3318"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w crown|strong="H5850"\w*. \w He|strong="H3318"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3318"\w* \w purple|strong="H0713"\w* \w robe|strong="H3830"\w* \w made|strong="H8055"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* best \w linen|strong="H0948"\w*. There \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3318"\w* special celebration \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* people \w were|strong="H6440"\w* \w very|strong="H1419"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*. 
\v 16 \w It|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w an|strong="H1961"\w* especially \w happy|strong="H8057"\w* day \w for|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w a|strong="H1961"\w* day \w of|strong="H8057"\w* great \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H8057"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w*. 
\p
\v 17 \w Wherever|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* went \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w gladness|strong="H8057"\w* \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w having|strong="H3588"\w* parties \w and|strong="H0776"\w* celebrating. \w Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w common|strong="H0776"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* groups \w became|strong="H1697"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w very|strong="H7227"\w* \w afraid|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\c 9  
\s1 Victory for the Jews 
\p
\v 1 \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* 13th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* twelfth \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*), \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* supposed \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w*. \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* hoped \w to|strong="H3117"\w* defeat \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w now|strong="H3117"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w changed|strong="H2015"\w*. \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* stronger \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. 
\v 2 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* met \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H0376"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* strong \w enough|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* attack \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w wanted|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3605"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w was|strong="H0376"\w* strong \w enough|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H0376"\w* \w afraid|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 
\v 3 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w satraps|strong="H0323"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* administrators helped \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* helped \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w afraid|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. 
\v 4 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w become|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w very|strong="H1419"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* knew \w his|strong="H3605"\w* name \w and|strong="H1980"\w* knew \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H0376"\w*. \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w became|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H1419"\w* powerful. 
\p
\v 5 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w defeated|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*. \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w to|strong="H3605"\w* \w kill|strong="H5221"\w* \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w destroy|strong="H5221"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w*. \w They|strong="H5221"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H7522"\w* \w they|strong="H5221"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w hated|strong="H8130"\w* \w them|strong="H5221"\w*. 
\v 6 \w They|strong="H0376"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H0006"\w* 500 \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* capital city \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. 
\v 7 They \w also|strong="H0853"\w* killed these men: \w Parshandatha|strong="H6577"\w*, \w Dalphon|strong="H1813"\w*, \w Aspatha|strong="H0630"\w*, 
\v 8 \w Poratha|strong="H6334"\w*, \w Adalia|strong="H0118"\w*, \w Aridatha|strong="H0743"\w*, 
\v 9 \w Parmashta|strong="H6534"\w*, \w Arisai|strong="H0747"\w*, \w Aridai|strong="H0742"\w*, \w and|strong="H0853"\w* \w Vaizatha|strong="H2055"\w*. 
\v 10 These \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*. \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Hammedatha \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* all \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* take \w anything|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 \w That|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* heard how \w many|strong="H4557"\w* men \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* capital \w city|strong="H1931"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. 
\v 12 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have|strong="H0376"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 500 \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w including|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. \w Now|strong="H5414"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* want \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w other|strong="H5750"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*? \w Tell|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w have|strong="H0376"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Ask|strong="H0559"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.” 
\p
\v 13 \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* pleases \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, please \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w same|strong="H0853"\w* thing again \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w*. \w Also|strong="H1571"\w*, \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* bodies \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* posts.” 
\p
\v 14 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w command|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w Haman’s|strong="H2001"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*. 
\v 15 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* met \w together|strong="H1571"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 14th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 300 \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* take \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H7969"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\p
\v 16 \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w same|strong="H0853"\w* time, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w living|strong="H5315"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* other \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* met \w together|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* met \w together|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* strong \w enough|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* protect \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w*. \w And|strong="H3027"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* got \w rid|strong="H7971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* 75,000 \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w didn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H5975"\w* \w anything|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* belonged \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\v 17 \w This|strong="H3117"\w* happened \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 13th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 14th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Jews \w rested|strong="H5117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3117"\w* \w happy|strong="H8057"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Festival|strong="H8057"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Purim 
\p
\v 18 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* met \w together|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 13th \w and|strong="H3117"\w* 14th \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* month \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar. \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w then|strong="H0853"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 15th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 15th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w happy|strong="H8057"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*. 
\v 19 \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w those|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0376"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w country|strong="H6521"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* small \w villages|strong="H6519"\w* celebrate Purim \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 14th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* \w keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* 14th \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H3651"\w* \w a|strong="H5921"\w* \w happy|strong="H8057"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*. \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w have|strong="H0376"\w* \w parties|strong="H0376"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* give presents \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w*. 
\p
\v 20 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w happened|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H0853"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes’ \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w near|strong="H7138"\w*. 
\v 21 \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w tell|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Jews \w to|strong="H1961"\w* celebrate Purim \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 14th \w and|strong="H6965"\w* 15th \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Adar|strong="H0143"\w*. 
\v 22 \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* celebrate \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w because|strong="H0834"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* got \w rid|strong="H5117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*. \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* celebrate \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* sadness \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*. \w It|strong="H5117"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* crying \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w changed|strong="H2015"\w* \w into|strong="H2015"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w celebration|strong="H8057"\w*. Mordecai wrote letters \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w all|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w told|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* celebrate \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w happy|strong="H8057"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w feasting|strong="H4960"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w should|strong="H0376"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w parties|strong="H0376"\w*, \w give|strong="H5117"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4979"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w other|strong="H7453"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w give|strong="H5117"\w* \w presents|strong="H4979"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w poor|strong="H0034"\w*. 
\p
\v 23 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* agreed \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*. \w And|strong="H0853"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* agreed \w to|strong="H0413"\w* continue \w the|strong="H0853"\w* celebration \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w*. 
\p
\v 24 \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Hammedatha \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Agagite|strong="H0091"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H3605"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* evil \w plan|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H0006"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* thrown \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* choose \w a|strong="H3588"\w* day \w to|strong="H5921"\w* ruin \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H0006"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* time \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* called \w a|strong="H3588"\w* “\w pur|strong="H6332"\w*.” 
\v 25 Haman \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w*, \w but|strong="H0935"\w* Esther \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* talk \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w So|strong="H0834"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w out|strong="H6440"\w* new \w commands|strong="H0559"\w*. \w These|strong="H0834"\w* \w commands|strong="H0559"\w* \w not|strong="H1121"\w* only ruined Haman’s \w plans|strong="H4284"\w*, \w but|strong="H0935"\w* \w these|strong="H0834"\w* \w commands|strong="H0559"\w* \w caused|strong="H0834"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H5973"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0559"\w* Haman \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* family! \w So|strong="H0834"\w* Haman \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* posts. 
\p
\v 26-27 At this time lots were called “purim.” So this festival is called “Purim.” Mordecai wrote a letter and told the Jews to celebrate this festival. And so the Jews started the custom of celebrating these two days every year. 
\v 28 \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H0428"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* help \w them|strong="H8432"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w what|strong="H2233"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H3064"\w* seen happen \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H8432"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* join \w them|strong="H8432"\w* \w celebrate|strong="H2142"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w two|strong="H8432"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H3117"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* right \w way|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Every|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w* \w remembers|strong="H2142"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w two|strong="H8432"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w celebrate|strong="H2142"\w* \w this|strong="H0428"\w* festival \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*. \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w stop|strong="H3808"\w* celebrating \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H3117"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w this|strong="H0428"\w* festival. 
\p
\v 29 \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Abihail|strong="H0032"\w*, \w along|strong="H0853"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w an|strong="H6965"\w* official \w letter|strong="H0107"\w* \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w full|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H8633"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* king \w to|strong="H6965"\w* prove \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w letter|strong="H0107"\w* \w was|strong="H3605"\w* true. 
\v 30 \w So|strong="H7971"\w* Mordecai \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* 127 \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* King Xerxes’ \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w He|strong="H7971"\w* \w told|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* festival \w should|strong="H0413"\w* bring \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* make people trust\f + \fr 9:30  \fk peace … trust \ft Or “fellowship and truth.” Zechariah 8:19 teaches that this is how people should celebrate the festivals and why God gave them.\f* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 31 \w He|strong="H0834"\w* wrote \w these|strong="H0428"\w* letters \w to|strong="H5921"\w* tell \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H5315"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* start celebrating \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*. \w And|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H1697"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* celebrate \w this|strong="H0428"\w* new festival. \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Esther|strong="H0635"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* sent \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w this|strong="H0428"\w* two-day festival \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* remember \w this|strong="H0428"\w* festival \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* remember \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w other|strong="H0428"\w* festivals \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w fast|strong="H6685"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w cry|strong="H2201"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w happened|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 32 \w Esther’s|strong="H0635"\w* \w letter|strong="H5612"\w* made \w the|strong="H1697"\w* rules \w for|strong="H1697"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w* official, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H0428"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H3789"\w* \w a|strong="H6965"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w*. 
\c 10  
\s1 Mordecai Honored 
\p
\v 1 \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes \w made|strong="H7760"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w pay|strong="H7760"\w* taxes. All \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4428"\w*, \w even|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* faraway cities \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* seacoast, \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w pay|strong="H7760"\w* taxes. 
\v 2 \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1431"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* Xerxes \w did|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \bk \+w Book|strong="H5612"\+w* \+w of|strong="H4428"\+w* History \+w of|strong="H4428"\+w* \+w the|strong="H3605"\+w* \+w Kings|strong="H4428"\+w* \+w of|strong="H4428"\+w* \+w Media|strong="H4074"\+w* \+w and|strong="H4428"\+w* \+w Persia|strong="H6539"\+w*\bk*. \w Also|strong="H4428"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* history \w books|strong="H5612"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w made|strong="H4639"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w great|strong="H1431"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w second|strong="H4932"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* importance \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Xerxes. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w among|strong="H0251"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w His|strong="H3605"\w* \w fellow|strong="H0251"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w respected|strong="H7230"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w very|strong="H1419"\w* \w much|strong="H7230"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* worked \w hard|strong="H1419"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* brought \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. 