\id EST  
\h Esther 
\toc1 Esther 
\toc2 Esther 
\mt1 Esther  
\c 1  
\s1 The King Throws a Lavish Party  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* following events \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Ahasuerus. (\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w am|strong="H1961"\w* referring \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* Ahasuerus \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w rule|strong="H4427"\w* \w over|strong="H4427"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* extending \w all|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w*. )  
\v 2  \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w sat|strong="H7675"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w*,  
\v 3  \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7969"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w reign|strong="H4427"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w provided|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H2426"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w was|strong="H8141"\w* \w present|strong="H6213"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* well \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w nobles|strong="H6579"\w* \w and|strong="H5650"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w He|strong="H3117"\w* \w displayed|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w glory|strong="H3519"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w splendor|strong="H3519"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H7200"\w* \w majestic|strong="H3519"\w* \w greatness|strong="H1420"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* lengthy \w period|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* – \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w eighty|strong="H8084"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* exact!  
\v 5  \w When|strong="H3117"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w completed|strong="H4390"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H6213"\w* \w provided|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* seven-day \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w present|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w*, \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w highest|strong="H1419"\w* standing \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* lowly. \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w held|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w located|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1002"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* furnishings included \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* curtains hung \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w cords|strong="H2256"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* finest \w linen|strong="H8336"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* wool \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w rings|strong="H1550"\w*, \w alabaster|strong="H8336"\w* \w columns|strong="H5982"\w*, \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w couches|strong="H4296"\w* displayed \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* floor made \w of|strong="H5982"\w* valuable \w stones|strong="H7531"\w* \w of|strong="H5982"\w* \w alabaster|strong="H8336"\w*, \w mother-of-pearl|strong="H1858"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* mineral stone.  
\v 7  \w Drinks|strong="H8248"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w served|strong="H8248"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w containers|strong="H3627"\w*, all \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w which|strong="H2091"\w* \w differed|strong="H8138"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w one|strong="H7227"\w* \w another|strong="H3627"\w*. \w Royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* available \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w abundance|strong="H7227"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w expense|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 8  \w There|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w restrictions|strong="H1881"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w drinking|strong="H8360"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w instructed|strong="H3245"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* supervisors \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w desired|strong="H7522"\w*.  
\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="H3068"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* women \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus’ \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\s1 Queen Vashti is Removed from Her Royal Position  
\p
\v 10  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w was|strong="H3820"\w* feeling \w the|strong="H6440"\w* effects \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w he|strong="H3117"\w* ordered \w Mehuman|strong="H4104"\w*, Biztha, \w Harbona|strong="H2726"\w*, Bigtha, Abagtha, \w Zethar|strong="H2242"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Carcas|strong="H3752"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w attended|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*,  
\v 11  \w to|strong="H6440"\w* bring \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w into|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* wearing \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* high turban. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w her|strong="H7200"\w* \w beauty|strong="H3308"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w very|strong="H2896"\w* \w attractive|strong="H4758"\w*.  
\v 12  \w But|strong="H4428"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w come|strong="H2534"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w bidding|strong="H1697"\w* \w conveyed|strong="H1697"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*. \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w became|strong="H1697"\w* \w extremely|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w consumed|strong="H1197"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H3651"\w* inquired \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w men|strong="H2450"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* discerners \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w times|strong="H6256"\w* – \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w custom|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* confer \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* proficient \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* legalities.  
\v 14  \w Those|strong="H3427"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H8269"\w* closest \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w were|strong="H8269"\w* \w Carshena|strong="H3771"\w*, \w Shethar|strong="H8369"\w*, Admatha, \w Tarshish|strong="H8659"\w*, \w Meres|strong="H4825"\w*, \w Marsena|strong="H4826"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w*. \w These|strong="H6440"\w* \w men|strong="H7651"\w* \w were|strong="H8269"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* regular basis \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w most|strong="H4428"\w* prominent \w offices|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w*, “\w By|strong="H3027"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*, \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* light \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* fact \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* obeyed \w the|strong="H5921"\w* instructions \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus conveyed \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*?”   
\p
\v 16  \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w* \w then|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*, “\w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w wrong|strong="H5753"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* alone, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H5971"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.  
\v 17  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w spread|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* women, \w leading|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* treat \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w husbands|strong="H1167"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* contempt, \w saying|strong="H1697"\w*, ‘\w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w gave|strong="H3318"\w* \w orders|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w bring|strong="H3318"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w*, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w*.’  
\v 18  \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* noble \w ladies|strong="H8282"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w concerning|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w respond|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w enough|strong="H1767"\w* contempt \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w anger|strong="H7110"\w*!  
\v 19  If \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w inclined|strong="H2896"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w 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="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w repealed|strong="H5674"\w*, \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w may|strong="H4428"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w come|strong="H3318"\w* \w into|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w convey|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w royalty|strong="H4438"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w another|strong="H7468"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* deserving \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 20  \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w decision|strong="H6599"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* enact \w be|strong="H5414"\w* disseminated \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w vast|strong="H1419"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*. \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* women \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \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 prominent|strong="H1419"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* lowly.”   
\p
\v 21  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w seemed|strong="H5869"\w* \w appropriate|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*. \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Memucan|strong="H4462"\w*.  
\v 22  \w He|strong="H3605"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* according \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w script|strong="H3791"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* according \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*, \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w ruling|strong="H8323"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H2142"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w had|strong="H4428"\w* diminished, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H2142"\w* decided \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w attended|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H1245"\w* said, “Let \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w search|strong="H1245"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* conducted \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w behalf|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w attractive|strong="H4758"\w* \w young|strong="H5288"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*.  
\v 3  \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w appoint|strong="H6485"\w* \w officers|strong="H5631"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w attractive|strong="H4758"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* oversees \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w provide|strong="H5414"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w* \w they|strong="H3605"\w* desire.  
\v 4  \w Let|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w whom|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* finds \w most|strong="H4428"\w* attractive \w become|strong="H4427"\w* \w queen|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.” \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w seemed|strong="H5869"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w idea|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w accordingly|strong="H3651"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3064"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w whose|strong="H1121"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w He|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 the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shimei|strong="H8096"\w*, \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Kish|strong="H7027"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Benjaminite|strong="H1145"\w*,  
\v 6  \w who|strong="H3063"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w taken|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w* \w from|strong="H1540"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w captives|strong="H1473"\w* \w who|strong="H3063"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w carried|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Jeconiah|strong="H3204"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, whom \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Babylon \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w taken|strong="H1540"\w* \w into|strong="H1540"\w* \w exile|strong="H1540"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* acting \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* guardian \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w Hadassah|strong="H1919"\w* (\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, Esther), \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* neither \w her|strong="H3947"\w* father \w nor|strong="H8389"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* mother \w was|strong="H1961"\w* alive. \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H2896"\w* \w attractive|strong="H3303"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w beautiful|strong="H3303"\w* \w figure|strong="H8389"\w*. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w her|strong="H3947"\w* father \w and|strong="H2896"\w* mother \w died|strong="H4194"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* raised \w her|strong="H3947"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w*.   
\p
\v 8  \w It|strong="H1961"\w* \w so|strong="H3947"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w known|strong="H8085"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w placed|strong="H3947"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*. Esther \w also|strong="H3027"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w under|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w*, \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* overseeing \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w*.  
\v 9  \w This|strong="H5414"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w pleased|strong="H3190"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w found|strong="H5375"\w* \w favor|strong="H6440"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* quickly \w provided|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w cosmetics|strong="H8562"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* rations; \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w provided|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* specially chosen \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H5869"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*. \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w then|strong="H5375"\w* transferred \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w quarters|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w disclosed|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* lineage, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w* \w so|strong="H3808"\w*.  
\v 11  \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w forth|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* order \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* might \w happen|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w At|strong="H2320"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w end|strong="H7093"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w twelve|strong="H8147"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w required|strong="H3117"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w*, \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w each|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H5291"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w arrived|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus – \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w way|strong="H3651"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w fulfill|strong="H4390"\w* \w their|strong="H4390"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* cosmetic treatment: \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w oil|strong="H8081"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w myrrh|strong="H4753"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w months|strong="H2320"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w perfume|strong="H1314"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* various \w ointments|strong="H8081"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w by|strong="H3117"\w* \w women|strong="H5291"\w* –  
\v 13  \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w woman|strong="H5291"\w* \w would|strong="H5291"\w* \w go|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* following \w way|strong="H2088"\w*: \w Whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w she|strong="H5704"\w* asked \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w would|strong="H5291"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w take|strong="H5414"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 14  \w In|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* separate \w part|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w harem|strong="H1004"\w*, \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w authority|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Shaashgaz|strong="H8190"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* overseeing \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w concubines|strong="H6370"\w*. \w She|strong="H1931"\w* \w would|strong="H2654"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w unless|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w pleased|strong="H2654"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w her|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w she|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* requested \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w turn|strong="H8447"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Abihail \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w uncle|strong="H1730"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* (\w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w raised|strong="H5375"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H1961"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* ) \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w request|strong="H1697"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w except|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w Hegai|strong="H1896"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuch|strong="H5631"\w*, \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w overseer|strong="H8104"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w*, \w had|strong="H1961"\w* recommended. \w Yet|strong="H3588"\w* Esther \w met|strong="H5375"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* approval \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Then|strong="H3947"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w to|strong="H1004"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w residence|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w tenth|strong="H6224"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Tebeth|strong="H2887"\w*) \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3947"\w* \w seventh|strong="H7651"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3947"\w* \w reign|strong="H4438"\w*.  
\v 17  \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* loved Esther more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1330"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w met|strong="H5375"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* loving approval more \w than|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* young \w women|strong="H1330"\w*. \w So|strong="H5375"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w placed|strong="H7760"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w high|strong="H5375"\w* turban \w on|strong="H7760"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w appointed|strong="H7760"\w* \w her|strong="H3605"\w* \w queen|strong="H4427"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Vashti|strong="H2060"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* – \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* actually Esther’s \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w also|strong="H6213"\w* \w set|strong="H5414"\w* aside \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2010"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* offerings \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w expense|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\s1 Mordecai Learns of a Plot against the King  
\p
\v 19  \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w when|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* young \w women|strong="H1330"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* being \w gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w again|strong="H8145"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H6908"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 20  Esther \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w still|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w divulging|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* lineage \w or|strong="H6213"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w her|strong="H5046"\w*. Esther \w continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* whatever \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w said|strong="H3982"\w*, \w just|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* raising \w her|strong="H5046"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w In|strong="H3427"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w while|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, Bigthan \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w protected|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* \w entrance|strong="H8179"\w*, \w became|strong="H7107"\w* \w angry|strong="H7107"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* plotted \w to|strong="H7971"\w* assassinate \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.  
\v 22  \w When|strong="H3045"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* conspiracy, \w he|strong="H4428"\w* \w informed|strong="H3045"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w behalf|strong="H8034"\w*.  
\v 23  \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w investigated|strong="H1245"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w*, \w finding|strong="H4672"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w so|strong="H1697"\w*, \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w conspirators|strong="H8518"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w then|strong="H4428"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w daily|strong="H3117"\w* \w chronicles|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  \w Some|strong="H1697"\w* \w time|strong="H5921"\w* later \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w exalting|strong="H5375"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* setting \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w position|strong="H3678"\w* \w above|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 2  \w As|strong="H3651"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* result, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w bowing|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* paying \w homage|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w*. \w However|strong="H3588"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w did|strong="H3651"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w bow|strong="H7812"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3651"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* pay \w him|strong="H6680"\w* \w homage|strong="H7812"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w Then|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w who|strong="H5650"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* asked \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w are|strong="H5650"\w* \w you|strong="H4428"\w* \w violating|strong="H5674"\w* \w the|strong="H5674"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w commandment|strong="H4687"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w And|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w his|strong="H8085"\w* paying \w any|strong="H1961"\w* \w attention|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w whether|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w attitude|strong="H5975"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w part|strong="H1992"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* permitted. Furthermore, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w disclosed|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*.   
\p
\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* \w was|strong="H2001"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w bowing|strong="H7812"\w* \w or|strong="H7200"\w* paying \w homage|strong="H7812"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w him|strong="H7200"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H2001"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w*.  
\v 6  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thought|strong="H5869"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* striking \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w against|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* alone \w was|strong="H3027"\w* repugnant \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w been|strong="H5046"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* identity \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w So|strong="H7971"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* (\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*) \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* Ahasuerus.   
\p
\v 7  \w In|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nisan|strong="H5212"\w*), \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus’ \w reign|strong="H3117"\w*, \it  pur\it* (\w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w*) \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* order \w to|strong="H6440"\w* determine \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* turned \w out|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar).   
\p
\v 8  \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, “\w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* particular \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w dispersed|strong="H6504"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w spread|strong="H6504"\w* \w among|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* inhabitants \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w whose|strong="H3605"\w* \w laws|strong="H1881"\w* differ \w from|strong="H5971"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*. Furthermore, \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w laws|strong="H1881"\w*. \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w appropriate|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w provide|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* haven \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 9  If \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* inclined, let \w an|strong="H6213"\w* edict \w be|strong="H3027"\w* issued \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w destroy|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* thousand \w talents|strong="H3603"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* conveyed \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w treasuries|strong="H1595"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* officials \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w carry|strong="H6213"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w business|strong="H4399"\w*.”   
\p
\v 10  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Agagite, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w hostile|strong="H6887"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 11  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w Keep|strong="H6213"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w*, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w those|strong="H6213"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w wish|strong="H2896"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12  \w So|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w first|strong="H7223"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*. \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s satraps \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w script|strong="H3791"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*. \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w runners|strong="H7323"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* stating \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H3117"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* annihilate \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w youth|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* elderly, \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w women|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* particular \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, namely \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar), \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w loot|strong="H7971"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w plunder|strong="H7998"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w possessions|strong="H7998"\w*.  
\v 14  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w edict|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w presented|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*; \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w known|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* inhabitants, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6264"\w* \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w messengers|strong="H7323"\w* \w scurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w order|strong="H1697"\w*. \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w*. \w While|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w sat|strong="H3427"\w* \w down|strong="H3427"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* uproar!   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H3847"\w* \w when|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w became|strong="H3318"\w* \w aware|strong="H3045"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*, \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w tore|strong="H7167"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* garments \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* ashes. \w He|strong="H6213"\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 out|strong="H3318"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w loud|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w bitter|strong="H4751"\w* \w voice|strong="H2201"\w*.  
\v 2  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H6440"\w* further \w than|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* permitted \w to|strong="H5704"\w* enter \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w clothed|strong="H3830"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*.  
\v 3  \w Throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w where|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* announced \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w considerable|strong="H1419"\w* \w mourning|strong="H4553"\w* \w among|strong="H7227"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, along \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6685"\w*, \w weeping|strong="H1065"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w sorrow|strong="H4553"\w*. \w Sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* ashes \w were|strong="H1697"\w* characteristic \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w*.  
\v 4  \w When|strong="H7971"\w* Esther’s \w female|strong="H5291"\w* attendants \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w came|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w informed|strong="H5046"\w* \w her|strong="H7971"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s behavior, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w was|strong="H3966"\w* overcome \w with|strong="H3847"\w* \w anguish|strong="H2342"\w*. \w Although|strong="H3808"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* garments \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* could \w remove|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w would|strong="H5493"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w accept|strong="H6901"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 5  \w So|strong="H7121"\w* Esther \w called|strong="H7121"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w*, \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* been \w placed|strong="H5975"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w service|strong="H5975"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w cause|strong="H7121"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w reason|strong="H6440"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s behavior.  
\v 6  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w related|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*, \w even|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* specific \w amount|strong="H6575"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* offered \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w pay|strong="H8254"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w treasuries|strong="H1595"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* destroyed.  
\v 8  \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* written \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w been|strong="H5046"\w* disseminated \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w destruction|strong="H8045"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w he|strong="H5414"\w* \w could|strong="H5971"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* Esther \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w talk|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*. \w He|strong="H5414"\w* \w also|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w instructions|strong="H6680"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w she|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H5971"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w implore|strong="H2603"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* petition \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w behalf|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 9  \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* returned \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w related|strong="H5046"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*’s \w instructions|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* Esther.   
\p
\v 10  \w Then|strong="H6680"\w* Esther replied \w to|strong="H6680"\w* \w Hathach|strong="H2047"\w* with \w instructions|strong="H6680"\w* \w for|strong="H4782"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*:  
\v 11 “\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w applicable|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H4191"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w woman|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w comes|strong="H3117"\w* \w uninvited|strong="H3447"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w inner|strong="H6442"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* – \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w put|strong="H4191"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*, \w unless|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* extends \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*, permitting \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w spared|strong="H2421"\w*. \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w come|strong="H2421"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w thirty|strong="H7970"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*!”   
\p
\v 12  When Esther’s \w reply|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w conveyed|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*,  
\v 13  \w he|strong="H3605"\w* said \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w take|strong="H7725"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w answer|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* Esther:  
\v 14 “Don’t \w imagine|strong="H2790"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1004"\w* part \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* king’s \w household|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* escape. \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w keep|strong="H2790"\w* \w quiet|strong="H2790"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*, \w liberation|strong="H7305"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* protection \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* appear \w from|strong="H3064"\w* another \w source|strong="H4725"\w*, \w while|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* father’s \w household|strong="H1004"\w* perish. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w may|strong="H4310"\w* \w very|strong="H3045"\w* \w well|strong="H3045"\w* \w be|strong="H1004"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* achieved \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w status|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w such|strong="H2063"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*!”   
\p
\v 15  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* Esther \w sent|strong="H7725"\w* \w this|strong="H7725"\w* \w reply|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*:  
\v 16 “\w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w assemble|strong="H3664"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w behalf|strong="H5921"\w*. Don’t eat \w and|strong="H4428"\w* don’t \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w My|strong="H3605"\w* \w female|strong="H5291"\w* attendants \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w fast|strong="H6684"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H3651"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w*. Afterward \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though|strong="H1571"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* violates \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w*. \w If|strong="H3651"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* perish, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* perish!”   
\p
\v 17  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w set|strong="H6213"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1  \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* Esther \w put|strong="H3847"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w her|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* attire \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w inner|strong="H6442"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w opposite|strong="H5227"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w quarters|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 royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w throne|strong="H3678"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w opposite|strong="H5227"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w entrance|strong="H6607"\w*.  
\v 2  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w court|strong="H2691"\w*, she \w met|strong="H5375"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* approval. \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w extended|strong="H3447"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H5375"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w approached|strong="H7126"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w touched|strong="H5060"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* end \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w on|strong="H5414"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* mind, \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w Even|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w much|strong="H4100"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  Esther replied, “If \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* inclined, let \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* come \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* replied, “Find \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w requests|strong="H1697"\w*.”  
\p \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 6  \w While|strong="H5704"\w* \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H5704"\w* Esther, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*? \w Ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w much|strong="H4100"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*!”   
\p
\v 7  Esther \w responded|strong="H6030"\w*, “\w My|strong="H6030"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w* \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w my|strong="H6030"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w* is this:  
\v 8  If \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w sight|strong="H5869"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* if \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* inclined \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w grant|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w perform|strong="H6213"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w come|strong="H4279"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepare|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. \w At|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w time|strong="H4279"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* wishes.   
\s1 Haman Expresses His Hatred of Mordecai  
\p
\v 9  \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w pleased|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w very|strong="H2896"\w* \w much|strong="H5921"\w* encouraged. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rise|strong="H6965"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w tremble|strong="H2111"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w presence|strong="H5921"\w*, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w filled|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w toward|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*.  
\v 10  But \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* restrained himself \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w went|strong="H1004"\w* \w on|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\p \w He|strong="H1004"\w* \w then|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w for|strong="H7971"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* friends \w to|strong="H7971"\w* join \w him|strong="H7971"\w*, along \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w his|strong="H7971"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w then|strong="H5375"\w* \w recounted|strong="H5608"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* fabulous \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w*, \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w many|strong="H7230"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w how|strong="H1431"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w magnified|strong="H1431"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w exalted|strong="H5375"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w said|strong="H7121"\w*, “\w Furthermore|strong="H1571"\w*, \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w me|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* accompany \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w she|strong="H3588"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*! \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* am \w invited|strong="H7121"\w* \w along|strong="H5973"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Yet|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w fails|strong="H7737"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w satisfy|strong="H7737"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w so|strong="H2088"\w* \w long|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H3427"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14  \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w said|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w Have|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w seventy-five|strong="H2572"\w* feet \w high|strong="H1364"\w* \w built|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w* \w tell|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w should|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w Then|strong="H6213"\w* \w go|strong="H3190"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w contented|strong="H8056"\w*.”  
\p \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w seemed|strong="H3190"\w* \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H3190"\w* \w idea|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w built|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1  \w Throughout|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* unable \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w asked|strong="H1697"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w* containing \w the|strong="H6440"\w* historical \w records|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w brought|strong="H1961"\w*. \w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w records|strong="H1697"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w being|strong="H1961"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w*,  
\v 2  \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w disclosed|strong="H5046"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* Bigthana \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w Teresh|strong="H8657"\w*, \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w guarded|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* entrance, \w had|strong="H4428"\w* plotted \w to|strong="H7971"\w* assassinate \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus.   
\p
\v 3  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w great|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w bestowed|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*?” \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w served|strong="H8334"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* responded, “\w Not|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.”   
\p
\v 4  \w Then|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w*?” \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* come \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w outer|strong="H2435"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* suggest \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w constructed|strong="H3559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attendants|strong="H5288"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w him|strong="H5975"\w*, “\w It|strong="H5975"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w who|strong="H5288"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w courtyard|strong="H2691"\w*.” \w The|strong="H5975"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said, “Let \w him|strong="H5975"\w* \w enter|strong="H5975"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w should|strong="H4100"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w man|strong="H3820"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w wishes|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*?” \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w himself|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w would|strong="H4310"\w* \w want|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w me|strong="H4480"\w*?”  
\v 7  So \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* said \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H2001"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, “\w For|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H2001"\w* man whom \w the|strong="H2001"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w wishes|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*,  
\v 8  \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w bring|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w attire|strong="H3830"\w* \w which|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w worn|strong="H3847"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H5483"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* himself \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w ridden|strong="H7392"\w* – \w one|strong="H4428"\w* bearing \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w insignia|strong="H3804"\w*!  
\v 9  \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w noble|strong="H6579"\w* \w officials|strong="H8269"\w*. \w Let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w then|strong="H5414"\w* \w clothe|strong="H3847"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w wishes|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w lead|strong="H7392"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w calling|strong="H7121"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, ‘\w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w wishes|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!’”   
\p
\v 10  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H1696"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, “\w Go|strong="H4428"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4116"\w*! \w Take|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* described, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w just|strong="H1697"\w* indicated \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w sits|strong="H3427"\w* \w at|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*. Don’t \w neglect|strong="H5307"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* single \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w took|strong="H3947"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w clothing|strong="H3830"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w clothed|strong="H3847"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w He|strong="H6213"\w* \w led|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H3847"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w throughout|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w calling|strong="H7121"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H7121"\w* \w be|strong="H5892"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w wishes|strong="H2654"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*!”   
\p
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H7725"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w sat|strong="H2001"\w* \w at|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w while|strong="H1004"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w hurried|strong="H1765"\w* \w away|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*, mournful \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w with|strong="H1004"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* veil \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.  
\v 13  \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w then|strong="H5307"\w* \w related|strong="H5608"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w* \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* friends \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w happened|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w These|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w men|strong="H2450"\w*, \w along|strong="H6440"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* wife \w Zeresh|strong="H2238"\w*, said \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, “\w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w indeed|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w whom|strong="H6440"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jewish|strong="H3064"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w prevail|strong="H3201"\w* \w against|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w*, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*!”   
\p
\v 14  \w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H4428"\w* \w still|strong="H5750"\w* \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w* \w arrived|strong="H5060"\w*. \w They|strong="H6213"\w* quickly \w brought|strong="H6213"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p
\v 1  So \w the|strong="H5973"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w came|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* dine \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther.  
\v 2  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w asked|strong="H4100"\w* Esther, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*, \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*? \w Ask|strong="H4428"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H4428"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*!”   
\p
\v 3  \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w replied|strong="H6030"\w*, “If \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w met|strong="H4672"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* approval, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* if \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w so|strong="H5414"\w* inclined, \w grant|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*, \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w as|strong="H5315"\w* \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w*.  
\v 4  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* – both \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w my|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* – \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w destruction|strong="H8045"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w slaughter|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* annihilation! \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H3068"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* simply \w been|strong="H5971"\w* \w sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w male|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w female|strong="H8198"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w remained|strong="H2790"\w* \w silent|strong="H2790"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* such \w distress|strong="H6862"\w* \w would|strong="H5971"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5971"\w* \w been|strong="H5971"\w* sufficient \w for|strong="H3588"\w* troubling \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.”   
\p
\v 5  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus responded \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, “\w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* individual? \w Where|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* found \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* presumptuous \w enough|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w act|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w*?”   
\p
\v 6  Esther replied, “\w The|strong="H6440"\w* oppressor \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6862"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*!”  
\p \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w became|strong="H2001"\w* \w terrified|strong="H1204"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w*.  
\v 7  \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* withdrew \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w palace|strong="H1055"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w*. Meanwhile, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w beg|strong="H1245"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w now|strong="H3588"\w* \w determined|strong="H3615"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* catastrophic \w end|strong="H3615"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 8  \w When|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w garden|strong="H1594"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w banquet|strong="H4960"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* throwing \w himself|strong="H6440"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w couch|strong="H4296"\w* \w where|strong="H1004"\w* Esther \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w lying|strong="H5307"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* exclaimed, “\w Will|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* attempt \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w rape|strong="H3533"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w queen|strong="H4436"\w* \w while|strong="H5973"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* am \w still|strong="H7725"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* building!”  
\p \w As|strong="H1697"\w* \w these|strong="H6440"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w mouth|strong="H6310"\w*, \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w covered|strong="H2645"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w face|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Harbona|strong="H2726"\w*, \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w eunuchs|strong="H5631"\w*, \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Indeed|strong="H2009"\w*, \w there|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w behalf|strong="H5921"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w stands|strong="H5975"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w home|strong="H1004"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w seventy-five|strong="H2572"\w* feet \w high|strong="H1364"\w*.”  
\p \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H1696"\w*, “\w Hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*!”  
\v 10  \w So|strong="H5921"\w* \w they|strong="H5921"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* very \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w prepared|strong="H3559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w rage|strong="H2534"\w* \w then|strong="H4428"\w* abated.   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w estate|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*, \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w adversary|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther. \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* come \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4428"\w* revealed \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w related|strong="H5046"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w her|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w then|strong="H5414"\w* \w removed|strong="H5493"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* (\w the|strong="H5921"\w* very \w one|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w taken|strong="H5493"\w* \w back|strong="H5493"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*) \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* Esther \w designated|strong="H5414"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w estate|strong="H1004"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* Esther \w again|strong="H3254"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H1696"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w falling|strong="H5307"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w feet|strong="H7272"\w*. \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w wept|strong="H1058"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w begged|strong="H2603"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w mercy|strong="H2603"\w*, \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* might nullify \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* Agagite \w which|strong="H3064"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w intended|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 4  \w When|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w extended|strong="H3447"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* Esther \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w scepter|strong="H8275"\w*, \w she|strong="H6440"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w She|strong="H5921"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w so|strong="H7725"\w* \w inclined|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w met|strong="H4672"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* approval \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* agreeable \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* am attractive \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*, \w let|strong="H7725"\w* \w an|strong="H4672"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* rescinding \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w intentions|strong="H4284"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w which|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w order|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w destroy|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*.  
\v 6  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w watch|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w calamity|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5971"\w* \w befall|strong="H4672"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w watch|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w destruction|strong="H7451"\w* \w of|strong="H5971"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w relatives|strong="H4138"\w*?”   
\p
\v 7  \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus replied \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H2009"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* already \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*’s \w estate|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* Esther, \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* been \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w he|strong="H1004"\w* \w took|strong="H4428"\w* hostile \w action|strong="H7971"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Now|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w write|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w whatever|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w opinion|strong="H5869"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w appropriate|strong="H5869"\w* \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w seal|strong="H2856"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. \w Any|strong="H3588"\w* \w decree|strong="H3791"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w* cannot \w be|strong="H8034"\w* rescinded.   
\p
\v 9  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w scribes|strong="H5608"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* quickly \w summoned|strong="H7121"\w* – \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w third|strong="H7992"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sivan|strong="H5510"\w*), \w on|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twenty-third|strong="H6242"\w* \w day|strong="H2320"\w*. \w They|strong="H5704"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w out|strong="H3605"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w instructed|strong="H6680"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* satraps \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\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 all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H5704"\w* \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w India|strong="H1912"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w Ethiopia|strong="H3568"\w* – \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* – \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* script \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* according \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* script \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w own|strong="H5971"\w* \w language|strong="H3956"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Mordecai|strong="H3789"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w it|strong="H8034"\w* \w with|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w signet|strong="H2885"\w* \w ring|strong="H2885"\w*. \w He|strong="H3027"\w* \w then|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w on|strong="H7392"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*, \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w rode|strong="H7392"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w very|strong="H7323"\w* \w swift|strong="H7409"\w*.   
\p
\v 11  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* thereby \w allowed|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w assemble|strong="H6950"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* – \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H8045"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* annihilate \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w army|strong="H5971"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w or|strong="H5892"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* become \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w adversaries|strong="H6696"\w*, \w including|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* women \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w children|strong="H2945"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* confiscate \w their|strong="H3605"\w* property.  
\v 12  \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* take \w place|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* certain \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus – namely, \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar).  
\v 13  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w copy|strong="H6572"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w edict|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w presented|strong="H5414"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\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 made|strong="H5414"\w* \w known|strong="H1540"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w might|strong="H5971"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* prepared \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H5971"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w avenge|strong="H5358"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* enemies.   
\p
\v 14  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w couriers|strong="H7323"\w* \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w riding|strong="H7392"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w horses|strong="H7409"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* without delay. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w presented|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* well.   
\p
\v 15  \w Now|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w went|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w white|strong="H2353"\w* \w royal|strong="H4438"\w* \w attire|strong="H3830"\w*, \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w crown|strong="H5850"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w purple|strong="H8504"\w* linen \w mantle|strong="H8509"\w*. \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w shouted|strong="H6670"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w joy|strong="H8055"\w*.  
\v 16  \w For|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* radiant \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H8057"\w* joyous \w honor|strong="H3366"\w*.  
\v 17  \w Throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w where|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w arrived|strong="H5060"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* experienced \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w banquets|strong="H4960"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* holidays. \w Many|strong="H7227"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* resident \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w pretended|strong="H5060"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fear|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w overcome|strong="H5307"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1  \w In|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w twelfth|strong="H8147"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* (\w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* Adar), \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w its|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w edict|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w executed|strong="H6213"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* supposed \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* \w gain|strong="H7980"\w* \w power|strong="H7980"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. \w But|strong="H1992"\w* contrary \w to|strong="H6213"\w* expectations, \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w gained|strong="H7980"\w* \w power|strong="H7980"\w* \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w strike|strong="H3027"\w* \w out|strong="H7971"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H5971"\w* \w seeking|strong="H1245"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w able|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w dread|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w fell|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 3  \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* satraps, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w performed|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w business|strong="H4399"\w* \w were|strong="H8269"\w* assisting \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dread|strong="H6343"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w fallen|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 4  \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w high|strong="H1419"\w* rank \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w palace|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* word \w about|strong="H1980"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* spreading \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*. \w His|strong="H3605"\w* influence \w continued|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w become|strong="H1980"\w* \w greater|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w greater|strong="H1419"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sword|strong="H2719"\w*, bringing death \w and|strong="H2719"\w* destruction, \w and|strong="H2719"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w pleased|strong="H7522"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w*.  
\v 6  \w In|strong="H1002"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w the|strong="H2026"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2026"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men.  
\v 7  In addition, they also killed \w Parshandatha|strong="H6577"\w*, \w Dalphon|strong="H1813"\w*, Aspatha,  
\v 8  \w Poratha|strong="H6334"\w*, Adalia, Aridatha,  
\v 9  \w Parmashta|strong="H6534"\w*, Arisai, Aridai, and \w Vaizatha|strong="H2055"\w*,  
\v 10  \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7971"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w confiscate|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* property.   
\p
\v 11  \w On|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w number|strong="H4557"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w those|strong="H1931"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w brought|strong="H4428"\w* \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attention|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Then|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* said \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, “\w In|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w citadel|strong="H1002"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H2026"\w* \w five|strong="H2568"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w*! \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w then|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*? \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w request|strong="H1246"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*. \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w other|strong="H5750"\w* \w petition|strong="H7596"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w*? \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w shall|strong="H1121"\w* \w be|strong="H5750"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*.”   
\p
\v 13  Esther replied, “\w If|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w inclined|strong="H2896"\w*, \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w permitted|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w act|strong="H6213"\w* \w tomorrow|strong="H4279"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w*’s \w law|strong="H1881"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w hang|strong="H8518"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*.”   
\p
\v 14  \w So|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w issued|strong="H5414"\w* orders \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w law|strong="H1881"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w passed|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w*.  
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3117"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3808"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w then|strong="H7971"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w three|strong="H7969"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* men \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w confiscate|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H7971"\w* property.   
\p
\v 16  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H5315"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w throughout|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w order|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w have|strong="H3027"\w* \w rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* \w enemies|strong="H8130"\w*. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w seventy-five|strong="H7657"\w* thousand \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* adversaries, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w confiscate|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* property.  
\v 17  \w All|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w happened|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar. \w They|strong="H3117"\w* \w then|strong="H6213"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* banqueting \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w*.   
\s1 The Origins of the Feast of Purim  
\p
\v 18  \w But|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H6213"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w assembled|strong="H6950"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w thirteenth|strong="H7969"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w rested|strong="H5117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w fifteenth|strong="H2568"\w*, \w making|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* banqueting \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w*.  
\v 19  \w This|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w why|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w rural|strong="H6521"\w* \w country|strong="H6521"\w* – \w those|strong="H5921"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w rural|strong="H6521"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* – \w set|strong="H3427"\w* aside \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w*, banqueting, \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4490"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w matters|strong="H1697"\w* \w down|strong="H3789"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w near|strong="H7138"\w* \w and|strong="H7971"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w*,  
\v 21  \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fourteenth|strong="H6240"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fifteenth|strong="H2568"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* Adar \w each|strong="H3605"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*  
\v 22  \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w gave|strong="H6213"\w* \w themselves|strong="H1992"\w* \w rest|strong="H5117"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* enemies – \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w trouble|strong="H3015"\w* \w was|strong="H3117"\w* \w turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* mourning \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w holiday|strong="H2896"\w*. \w These|strong="H1992"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* banqueting, \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w*, \w sending|strong="H4916"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4979"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* providing \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* poor.   
\p
\v 23  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* continue \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*.  
\v 24  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Haman|strong="H2001"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hammedatha|strong="H4099"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Agagite, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w enemy|strong="H6887"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*, \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w devised|strong="H2803"\w* \w plans|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\w* \it  pur\it* (\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w lot|strong="H1486"\w*) \w in|strong="H5921"\w* order \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w afflict|strong="H6887"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2000"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 25  \w But|strong="H7725"\w* \w when|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* matter \w came|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w attention|strong="H6440"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w gave|strong="H7725"\w* written \w orders|strong="H5612"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* Haman’s \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w intentions|strong="H4284"\w* \w that|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H5921"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w devised|strong="H2803"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w should|strong="H4428"\w* fall \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w own|strong="H5973"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*. \w He|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H7725"\w* \w sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w were|strong="H1121"\w* \w hanged|strong="H8518"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w gallows|strong="H6086"\w*.  
\v 26  \w For|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w reason|strong="H1697"\w* \w these|strong="H2063"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* known \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \it  Purim\it*, \w after|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \it  pur\it*.  
\v 27  \w Therefore|strong="H5921"\w*, \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w account|strong="H5921"\w* found \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w letter|strong="H3791"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* faced \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w regard|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* binding \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w*, \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w joined|strong="H3867"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* company \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w should|strong="H8141"\w* \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w without|strong="H3808"\w* \w fail|strong="H5674"\w*, \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* written \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w appropriate|strong="H6213"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w annual|strong="H8141"\w* basis.  
\v 28  \w These|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2142"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w celebrated|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w family|strong="H4940"\w*, \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w fail|strong="H5674"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w remembrance|strong="H2142"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H5892"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* cease \w among|strong="H8432"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*.   
\p
\v 29  \w So|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* Abihail, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* \w full|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H8633"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w confirm|strong="H6965"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w second|strong="H8145"\w* letter \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*.  
\v 30  \w Letters|strong="H5612"\w* \w were|strong="H1697"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w in|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w twenty-seven|strong="H6242"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w empire|strong="H4438"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* Ahasuerus – \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* true \w peace|strong="H7965"\w* –  
\v 31  \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w establish|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H6965"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* proper \w times|strong="H3117"\w*, \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w Queen|strong="H4436"\w* Esther \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w had|strong="H4782"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w* \w both|strong="H5921"\w* \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 matters|strong="H1697"\w* \w pertaining|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6685"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* lamentation.  
\v 32  Esther’s \w command|strong="H1697"\w* \w established|strong="H6965"\w* \w these|strong="H3789"\w* \w matters|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w Purim|strong="H6332"\w*, \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H6965"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* officially \w recorded|strong="H3789"\w*.   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1  \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus \w then|strong="H4428"\w* imposed \w forced|strong="H4522"\w* \w labor|strong="H4522"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* land \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* coastlands \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Now|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w actions|strong="H4639"\w* \w carried|strong="H5921"\w* \w out|strong="H5921"\w* \w under|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w authority|strong="H8633"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w great|strong="H1431"\w* \w achievements|strong="H4639"\w*, \w along|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H4428"\w* \w exact|strong="H6575"\w* statement \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w greatness|strong="H1420"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w whom|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w promoted|strong="H1431"\w*, \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Chronicles|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w Kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Media|strong="H4074"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w Persia|strong="H6539"\w*?  
\v 3  \w 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 only|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* Ahasuerus. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* highest-ranking \w Jew|strong="H3064"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* admired \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w numerous|strong="H7230"\w* relatives. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* worked enthusiastically \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* \w was|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* advocate \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w welfare|strong="H7965"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w descendants|strong="H2233"\w*.   