THE HOLY BIBLE
Douay-Rheims Version
THE BOOK OF ESTHER
| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 |
| Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 |
The Book of Esther, Chapter 1
1 In the days of Assuerus, who reigned from India to
Ethiopia over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces:
2 When he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city Susan
was the capital of his kingdom.
3 Now in the third year of his reign he made a great feast
for all the princes, and for his servants, for the most
mighty of the Persians, and the nobles of the Medes, and
the governors of the provinces in his sight,
4 That he might shew the riches of the glory of his kingdom,
and the greatness, and boasting of his power, for a long
time, to wit, for a hundred and fourscore days.
5 And when the days of the feast were expired, he invited
all the people that were found in Susan, from the greatest
to the least: and commanded a feast to be made seven days
in the court of the garden, and of the wood, which was
planted by the care and the hand of the king.
6 And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and
green, and violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk,
and of purple, which were put into rings of ivory, and
were held up with marble pillars. The beds also were of
gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with
porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with
painting of wonderful variety.
7 And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the
meats were brought in divers vessels one after another.
Wine also in abundance and of the best was presented, as
was worthy of a king's magnificence.
8 Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that
were not willing, but as the king had appointed, who set
over every table one of his nobles, that every man might
take what he would.
9 Also Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the
palace, where king Assuerus was used to dwell.
10 Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after
very much drinking was well warmed with wine, he commanded
Mauman, and Bazatha, and Harbona, and Bagatha, and
Abgatha, and Zethar, and Charcas, the seven eunuchs that
served in his presence,
11 To bring in queen Vasthi before the king, with the crown
set upon her head, to shew her beauty to all the people
and the princes: for she was exceeding beautiful.
12 But she refused, and would not come at the king's
commandment, which he had signified to her by the eunuchs.
Whereupon the king, being angry, and inflamed with a very
great fury,
13 Baked the wise men, who according to the custom of the
kings, were always near his person, and all he did was by
their counsel, who knew the laws, and judgments of their
forefathers:
14 (Now the chief and nearest him were, Charsena, and Sethar,
and Admatha, and Tharsis, and Mares, and Marsana, and
Mamuchan, seven princes of the Persians, and of the Medes,
who saw the face of the king, and were used to sit first
after him :)
15 What sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen, who had
refused to obey the commandment of king Assuerus, which he
had sent to her by the eunuchs?
16 And Mamuchan answered, in the hearing of the king and the
princes: Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king, but
also all the people and princes that are in all the
provinces of king Assuerus.
17 For this deed of the queen will go abroad to all women, so
that they will despise their husbands, and will say: King
Assuerus commanded that queen Vasthi should come in to
him, and she would not.
18 And by this example all the wives of the princes of the
Persians and the Medes will slight the commandments of
their husbands: wherefore the king's indignation is just.
19 If it please thee, let an edict go out from thy presence,
and let it be written according to the law of the Persians
and of the Medes, which must not be altered, that Vasthi
come in no more to the king, but another, that is better
than her, be made queen in her place.
20 And let this be published through all the provinces of thy
empire, (which is very wide,) and let all wives, as well
of the greater as of the lesser, give honour to their
husbands.
21 His counsel pleased the king, and the princes: and the
king did according to the counsel of Mamuchan.
22 And he sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom,
as every nation could hear and read, in divers languages
and characters, that the husbands should be rulers and
masters in their houses: and that this should be published
to every people.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 2
1 After this, when the wrath of king Assuerus was appeased,
he remembered Vasthi, and what she had done end what she
had suffered:
2 And the king's servants and his officers said: Let young
women be sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,
3 And let some persons be sent through all the provinces to
look for beautiful maidens and virgins: and let them bring
them to the city of Susan, and put them into the house of
the women under the hand of Egeus the eunuch, who is the
overseer and keeper of the king's women: and let them
receive women's ornaments, and other things necessary for
their use.
4 And whosoever among them all shall please the king's eyes,
let her be queen instead of Vasthi. The word pleased the
king: and he commanded it should be done as they had
suggested.
5 There was a man in the city of Susan, a Jew, named
Mardochai, the son of Jair, the son of Semei, the son of
Cis, of the race of Jemini,
6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem at the time that
Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away Jechonias king
of Juda,
7 And he had brought up his brother's daughter Edissa, who
by another name was called Esther: now she had lost both
her parents: and was exceeding fair and beautiful. And her
father and mother being dead, Mardochai adopted her for
his daughter.
8 And when the king's ordinance was noised abroad, and
according to his commandment many beautiful virgins were
brought to Susan, and were delivered to Egeus the eunuch:
Esther also among the rest of the maidens was delivered to
him to be kept in the number of the women.
9 And she pleased him, and found favour in his sight. And he
commanded the eunuch to hasten the women's ornaments, and
to deliver to her her part, and seven of the most
beautiful maidens of the king's house, and to adorn and
deck out both her and her waiting maids.
10 And she would not tell him her people nor her country. For
Mardochai had charged her to say nothing at all of that:
11 And he walked every day before the court of the house, in
which the chosen virgins werre kept, having a care for
Esther's welfare, and desiring to know what would befall
her.
12 Now when every virgin's turn came to go in to the king,
after all had been done for setting them off to advantage,
it was the twelfth month: so that for six months they were
anointed with oil of myrrh, and for other six months they
used certain perfumes and sweet spices.
13 And when they were going in to the king, whatsoever they
asked to adorn themselves they received: and being decked
out, as it pleased them, they passed from the chamber of
the women to the king's chamber.
14 And she that went in at evening, came out in the morning,
and from thence she was conducted to the second house,
that was under the hand of Susagaz the eunuch, who had the
charge over the king's concubines: neither could she re-
turn any more to the king, unless the king desired it, and
had ordered her by name to come.
15 And as the time came orderly about, the day was at hand,
when Esther, the daughter of Abihail the brother of
Mardochai, whom he had adopted for his daughter, was to go
in to the king. But she sought not women's ornaments, but
whatsoever Egeus the eunuch the keeper of the virgins had
a mind, he gave her to adorn her. For she was exceeding
fair, and her incredible beauty made her appear agreeable
and amiable in the eyes of all.
16 So she was brought to the chamber of king Assuerus the
tenth month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year
of his reign.
17 And the king loved her more than all the women, and she
had favour and kindness before him above all the women,
and he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen
instead of Vasthi.
18 And he commanded a magnificent feast to be prepared for
all the princes, and for his servants, for the marriage
and wedding of Esther. And he gave rest to all the
provinces, and bestowed gifts according to princely
magnificence.
19 And when the virgins were sought the second time, and
gathered together, Mardochai stayed at the king's gate,
20 Neither had Esther as yet declared her country and people,
according to his commandment. For whatsoever he commanded,
Esther observed: and she did all things in the same manner
as she was wont at that time when he brought her up a
little one.
21 At that time, therefore, when Mardochai abode at the
king's gate, Bagathan and Thares, two of the king's
eunuchs, who were porters, and presided in the first entry
of the palace, were angry: and they designed to rise up
against the king, and to kill him.
22 And Mardochai had notice of it, and immediately he told it
to queen Esther: and she to the king in Mardochai's name,
who had reported the thing unto her.
23 It was inquired into, and found out: and they were both
hanged on a gibbet. And it was put in the histories, and
recorded in the chronicles before the king.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 3
1 After these things, king Assuerus advanced Aman, the son
of Amadathi, who was of the race of Agag: and he set his
throne above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king's servants, that were at the doors of the
palace, bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the
emperor had commanded them, only Mardochai did not bend
his knee, nor worship him.
3 And the king's servants that were chief at the doors of
the palace, said to him: Why dost thou alone not observe
the king's commandment?
4 And when they were saying this often, and he would not
hearken to them; they told Aman, desirous to know whether
he would continue in his resolution: for he had told them
that he was a Jew.
5 Now when Aman had heard this, and had proved by experience
that Mardochai did not bend his knee to him, nor worship
him, he was exceeding angry.
6 And he counted it nothing to lay his hands upon Mardochai
alone: for he had heard that he was of the nation of the
Jews, and he chose rather to destroy all the nation of the
Jews that were in the kingdom of Assuerus.
7 In the first month (which is called Nisan) in the twelfth
year a of the reign of Assuerus, the lot was cast into an
urn, which in Hebrew is called Phur, before Aman, on what
day and what month the nation of the Jews should be
destroyed: and there came out the twelfth month, which is
called Adar.
8 And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people
scattered through all the provinces of thy kingdom, and
separated one from another, that use new laws and
ceremonies, and moreover despise the king's ordinances:
and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for
thy kingdom that they should grow insolent by impunity.
9 If it please thee, decree that they may he destroyed, and
I will pay ten thousand talents to thy treasurers.
10 And the king took the ring that he used, from his own
hand, and gave it to Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race
of Agag, the enemy of the Jews,
11 And he said to him: As to the money which thou promisest,
keep it for thyself: and as to the people, do with them as
seemeth good to thee.
12 And the king's scribes were called in the first month
Nisan, on the thirteenth day of the same month: and they
wrote, as Aman had commanded, to all the king's
lieutenants, and to the judges of the provinces, and of
divers nations, as every nation could read, and hear
according to their different languages, in the name of
king Assuerus: and the letters, sealed with his ring,
13 Were sent by the king's messengers to all provinces, to
kill and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little
children, and women, in one day, that is, on the
thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and
to make a spoil of their goods.
14 And the contents of the letters were to this effect, that
all provinces might know and be ready against that day.
15 The couriers that were sent made haste to fulfil the
king's commandment. And immediately the edict was hung up
in Susan, the king and Aman feasting together, and all the
Jews that were in the city weeping.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 4
1 Now when Mardochai had heard these things, he rent his
garments, and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his
head: and he cried with a loud voice in the street in the
midst of the city, shewing the anguish of his mind.
2 And he came lamenting in this manner even to the gate of
the palace: for no one clothed with sackcloth might enter
the king's court.
3 And in all provinces, towns, and places, to which the
king's cruel edict was come, there was great mourning
among the Jews, with fasting, wailing, and weeping, many
using sackcloth and ashes for their bed.
4 Then Esther's maids and her eunuchs went in, and told her.
And when she heard it she was in a consternation: and she
sent a garment, to clothe him, and to take away the
sackcloth: but he would not receive it.
5 And she called for Athach the eunuch, whom the king had
appointed to attend upon her, and she commanded him to go
to Mardochai, and learn of him why he did this.
6 And Athach going out went to Mardochai, who was standing
in the street of the city, before the palace gate:
7 And Mardochai told him all that had happened, how Aman had
promised to pay money into the king's treasures, to have
the Jews destroyed.
8 He gave him also a copy of the edict which was hanging up
in Susan, that he should shew it to the queen, and
admonish her to go in to the king, and to en- treat him
for her people.
9 And Athach went back and told Esther all that Mardochai
had said.
10 She answered him, and bade him say to Mardochai:
11 All the king's servants, and all the provinces that are
under his dominion, know, that whosoever, whether man or
woman, cometh into the king's inner court, who is not
called for, is immediately to be put to death without any
delay: except the king shall hold out the golden sceptre
to him, in token of clemency, that so he may live. How
then can I go in to the king, who for these thirty days
now have not been called unto him?
12 And when Mardochai had heard this,
13 He sent word to Esther again, saying: Think not that thou
mayst save thy life only, because thou art in the king a
house, more than all the Jews:
14 For if thou wilt now hold thy peace, the Jews shall be
delivered by some other occasion: and thou, and thy
father's house shall perish. And who knoweth whether thou
art not therefore come to the kingdom, that thou mightest
be ready in such a time as this?
15 And again Esther sent to Mardochai in these words:
16 Go, and gather together all the Jews whom thou shalt find
in Susan, and pray ye for me. Neither eat nor drink for
three days and three nights: and I with my handmaids will
fast in like manner, and then I will go in to the king,
against the law, not being called, and expose myself to
death and to danger.
17 So Mardochai went, and did all that Esther had commanded
him.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 5
1 And on the third day Esther put on her royal apparel, and
stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against
the king's hall: now he sat upon his throne in the hall of
the palace, over against the door of the house.
2 And when he saw Esther the queen standing, she pleased his
eyes, and he held out toward her the golden sceptre, which
he held in his hand: and she drew near, and kissed the top
of his sceptre.
3 And the king said to her: What wilt then, queen Esther?
what is thy request? if thou shouldst even ask one half of
the kingdom, it shall be given to thee.
4 But she answered: If it please the king. I beseech thee to
come to me this day, and Aman with thee to the banquet
which I have prepared.
5 And the king said forthwith: Call ye Aman quickly, that he
may obey Esther's will. So the king and Aman came to the
banquet which the queen had prepared for them.
6 And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine
plentifully: What dost thou desire should be given thee?
and for what thing askest thou? although thou shouldst ask
the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have it.
7 And Esther answered: My petition and request is this:
8 If I have found favour in the king's sight, and if it
please the king to give me what I ask, and to fulfil my
petition: let the king and Aman come to the banquet which
I have prepared them, and to morrow I will open my mind to
the king.
9 So Aman went out that day joyful and merry. And when he
saw Mardochai sitting before the gate of the palace, and
that he not only did not rise up to honour him, but did
not so much as move from the place where he sat, he was
exceedingly angry:
10 But dissembling his anger, and returning into his house,
he called together to him his friends, and Zares his wife:
11 And he declared to them the greatness of his riches, and
the multitude of his children, and with how great glory
the king had advanced him above all his princes and
servants.
12 And after this he said: Queen Esther also hath invited no
other to the banquet with the king, but me: and with her
I am also to dine to morrow with the king:
13 And whereas I have all these things, I think I have
nothing, so long as I see Mardochai the Jew sitting before
the king's gate.
14 Then Zares his wife, and the rest of his friends answered
him: Order a great beam to be prepared, fifty cubits high,
and in the morning speak to the king, that Mardochai may
be hanged upon it, and so thou shalt go full of joy with
the king to the banquet. The counsel pleased him, and he
commanded a high gibbet to be prepared.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 6
1 That night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded
the histories and chronicles of former times to be brought
him. And when they were reading them before him,
2 They came to that place where it was written, how
Mardochai had discovered the treason of Bagathan and
Thares the eunuchs, who sought to kill king Assuerus.
3 And when the king heard this, he said: What honour and
reward hath Mardochai received for this fidelity? His
servants and ministers said to him: He hath received no
reward at all.
4 And the king said immediately: Who is in the court? for
Aman was coming in to the inner court of the king's house,
to speak to the king, that he might order Mardochai to be
hanged upon the gibbet which was prepared for him.
5 The servants answered: Aman standeth in the court, and the
king said: Let him come in.
6 And when he was come in, he said to him: What ought to be
done to the man whom the king is desirous to honour? But
Aman thinking in his heart, and supposing that the king
would honour no other but himself,
7 Answered: The man whom the king desireth to honour,
8 Ought to be clothed with the king's apparel, and to be set
upon the horse that the king rideth upon, and to have the
royal crown upon his head,
9 And let the first of the king's princes and nobles hold
his horse, and going through the street of the city,
proclaim before him and say: Thus shall he be honoured,
whom the king hath a mind to honour.
10 And the king said to him: Make haste and take the robe and
the horse, and do as thou hast spoken to Mardochai the
Jew, who sitteth before the gates of the palace. Beware
thou pass over any of those things which thou hast spoken.
11 So Aman took the robe and the horse, and arraying
Mardochai in the street of the city, and setting him on
the horse, went before him, and proclaimed: This honour is
he worthy of, whom the king hath a mind to honour.
12 But Mardochai returned to the palace gate: and Aman made
haste to go to his house, mourning and having his head
covered:
13 And he told Zares his wife, and his friends, all that had
befallen him. And the wise men whom he had in counsel, and
his wife answered him: If Mardochai be of the seed of the
Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou canst not
resist him, but thou shalt fall in his sight.
14 As they were yet speaking, the king's eunuchs came, and
compelled him to go quickly to the banquet which the queen
had prepared.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 7
1 So the king and Aman went in, to drink with the queen.
2 And the king said to her again the second day, after he
was warm with wine: What is thy petition, Esther, that it
may be granted thee? and what wilt thou have done:
although thou ask the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have
it.
3 Then she answered: If I have found Favour in thy sight, O
king, and if it please thee, give me my life for which I
ask, and my people for which I request.
4 For we are given up, I and my people, to be destroyed, to
be slain, and to perish. And would God we were sold for
bondmen and bondwomen: the evil might be borne with, and
I would have mourned in silence: but now we have an enemy,
whose cruelty redoundeth upon the king.
5 And king Assuerus answered and said: Who is this, and of
what power, that he should do these things?
6 And Esther said: It is this Aman that is our adversary and
most wicked enemy. Aman hearing this was forthwith
astonished, not being able to bear the countenance of the
king and of the queen.
7 But the king being angry rose up, and went from the place
of the banquet into the garden set with trees. Aman also
rose up to entreat Esther the queen for his life, for he
understood that evil was prepared for him by the king.
8 And when the king came back out of the garden set with
trees, and entered into the place of the banquet, he found
Aman was fallen upon the bed on which Esther lay, and he
said: He will force the queen also in my presence, in my
own house. The word was not yet gone out of the king's
mouth, and immediately they covered his face.
9 And Harbona, one of the eunuchs that stood waiting on the
king, said: Behold the gibbet which he hath prepared for
Mardochai, who spoke for the king, standeth in Aman's
house, being fifty cubits high. And the king said to him:
Hang him upon it.
10 So Aman was hanged on the gibbet, which he had prepared
for Mardochai: and the king's wrath ceased.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 8
1 On that day king Assuerus gave the house of Aman, the
Jews' enemy, to queen Esther, and Mardochai came in before
the king. For Esther had confessed to him that he was her
uncle.
2 And the king took the ring which he had commanded to be
taken again from Aman, and gave it to Mardochai. And
Esther set Mardochai over her house.
3 And not content with these things, she fell down at the
king's feet and wept, and speaking to him besought him,
that he would give orders that the malice of Aman the
Agagite, and his most wicked devices which he had invented
against the Jews, should be of no effect.
4 But he, as the manner was, held out the golden sceptre
with his hand, which was the sign of clemency: and she
arose up and stood before him,
5 And said: If it please the king, and if I have found
favour in his sight, and my request be not disagreeable to
him, I beseech thee, that the former letters of Aman the
traitor and enemy of the Jews, by which he commanded that
they should be destroyed in all the king's provinces, may
be reversed by new letters.
6 For how call I endure the murdering and slaughter of my
people?
7 And king Assuerus answered Esther the queen, and Mardochai
the Jew: I have given Aman's house to Esther, and I have
commanded him to be hanged on a gibbet, because he durst
lay hands on the Jews.
8 Write ye therefore to the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the
king's name, and seal the letters with my ring. For this
was the custom, that no man durst gainsay the letters
which were sent in the king's name, and were sealed with
his ring.
9 Then the king's scribes and secretaries were called for
(now it was the time of the third month which is called
Siban) the three and twentieth day of the month, and
letters were written, as Mardochai had a mind, to the
Jews, and to the governors, and to the deputies, and to
the judges, who were rulers over the hundred and
twenty-seven provinces, from India even to Ethiopia: to
province and province, to people and people, according to
their languages and characters, and to the Jews, according
as they could read and hear.
10 And these letters which were sent in the king's name, were
sealed with his ring, and sent by posts: who were to run
through all the provinces, to prevent the former letters
with new messages.
11 And the king gave orders to them, to speak to the Jews in
every city, and to command them to gather themselves
together, and to stand for their lives, and to kill and
destroy all their enemies with their wives and children
and all their houses, and to take their spoil.
12 And one day of revenge was appointed through all the
provinces, to wit, the thirteenth of the twelfth month
Adar.
13 And this was the content of the letter, that it should be
notified in all lands and peoples that were subject to the
empire of king Assuerus, that the Jews were ready to be
revenged of their enemies.
14 So the swift posts went out carrying the messages, and the
king's edict was hung up in Susan.
15 And Mardochai going forth out of the palace, and from the
king's presence, shone in royal apparel, to wit, of violet
and sky colour, wearing a golden crown on his head, and
clothed with a cloak of silk and purple. And all the city
rejoiced and was glad.
16 But to the Jews a new light seemed to rise, joy, honour,
and dancing.
17 And in all peoples, cities, and provinces, whithersoever
the king's commandments came, there was wonderful
rejoicing, feasts and banquets, and keeping holy day:
insomuch that many of other nations and religion, joined
themselves to their worship and ceremonies. For a great
dread of the name of the Jews had fallen upon all.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 9
1 So on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which as we
have said above is called Adar, when all the Jews were
designed to be massacred, and their enemies were greedy
after their blood, the case being altered, the Jews began
to have the upper hand, and to revenge themselves of their
adversaries.
2 And they gathered themselves together in every city, and
town, and place, to lay their hands on their enemies, and
their persecutors. And no one durst withstand them, for
the fear of their power had gone through every people.
3 And the judges of the provinces, and the governors, and
lieutenants, and every one in dignity, that presided over
every place and work, extolled the Jews for fear of
Mardochai:
4 For they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have
great power: and the fame of his name increased daily, and
was spread abroad through all men's mouths.
5 So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and
killed them, repaying according to what they had prepared
to do to them:
6 Insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men,
besides the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the
Jews: whose names are these:
7 Pharsandatha, and Delphon, and Esphatha,
8 And Phoratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
9 And Phermesta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Jezatha.
10 And when they had slain them, they would not touch the
spoils of their goods.
11 And presently the number of them that were killed in Susan
was brought to the king.
12 And he said to the queen: The Jews have killed five
hundred men in the city of Susan, besides the ten sons of
Aman: how many dost thou think they have slain in all the
provinces? What askest thou more, and what wilt thou have
me to command to be done?
13 And she answered: If it please the king, let it be granted
to the Jews, to do to morrow in Susan as they have done to
day, and that the ten sons of Aman may be hanged upon
gibbets.
14 And the king commanded that it should be so done. And
forthwith the edict was hung up in Susan, and the ten sons
of Aman were hanged.
15 And on the fourteenth day of the month Adar the Jews
gathered themselves together, and they killed in Susan
three hundred men: but they took not their substance.
16 Moreover through all the provinces which were subject to
the king's dominion the Jews stood for their lives, and
slew their enemies and persecutors: insomuch that the
number of them that were Billed amounted to seventy-five
thousand, and no man took any of their goods.
17 Now the thirteenth day of the month Adar was the first day
with them all of the slaughter, and on the fourteenth day
they left off. Which they ordained to be kept holy day, so
that all times hereafter they should celebrate it with
feasting, joy, and banquets.
18 But they that were killing in the city of Susan, were
employed in the slaughter on the thirteenth and fourteenth
day of the same month: and on the fifteenth day they
rested. And therefore they appointed that day to be a holy
day of feasting and gladness.
19 But those Jews that dwelt in towns not walled and in
villages, appointed the fourteenth day of the month Adar
for banquets and gladness, so as to rejoice on that day,
and send one another portions of their banquets and meats.
20 And Mardochai wrote all these things, and sent them
comprised in letters to the Jews that abode in all the
king's provinces, both those that lay near and those afar
off,
21 That they should receive the fourteenth and fifteenth day
of the month Adar for holy days, and always at the return
of the year should celebrate them with solemn honour:
22 Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of
their enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned
into mirth and joy, and that these should be days of
feasting and gladness, in which they should send one to
another portions of meats; and should give gifts to the
poor.
23 And the Jews undertook to observe with solemnity all they
had begun to do at that time, which Mardochai by letters
had commanded to be done.
24 For Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the
enemy and adversary of the Jews, had devised evil against
them, to kill them and destroy them: and had cast Phur,
that is, the lot.
25 And afterwards Esther went in to the king, beseeching him
that his endeavours might be made void by the king's
letters: and the evil that he had intended against the
Jews, might return upon his own head. And so both he and
his sons were hanged upon gibbets.
26 And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is,
of lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the
urn. And all things that were done, are contained in the
volume of this epistle, that is, of this book:
27 And the things that they suffered, and that were
afterwards changed, the Jews took upon themselves and
their seed, and upon all that had a mind to be joined to
their religion, so that it should be lawful for none to
pass these days without solemnity: which the writing
testifieth, and certain times require, as the years
continually succeed one another.
28 These are the days which shall never be forgot: and which
all provinces ill the whole world shall celebrate
throughout all generations: neither is there any city
wherein the days of Phurim, that is, of lots, must not be
observed by the Jews, and by their posterity, which is
bound to these ceremonies.
29 And Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and
Mardochai the Jew, wrote also a second epistle, that with
all diligence this day should be established a festival
for the time to come.
30 And they sent to all the Jews that were in the hundred and
twenty-seven provinces of king Assuerus, that they should
have peace, and receive truth,
31 And observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy
in their proper time: as Mardochai and Esther had
appointed, and they undertook them to be observed by
themselves and by their seed, fasts, and cries, and the
days of lots,
32 And all things which are contained in the history of this
book, which is called Esther.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 10
1 And king Assuerus made all the land, and all the islands
of the sea tributary.
2 And his strength and his empire, and the dignity and
greatness wherewith he exalted Mardochai, are written in
the books of the Medes, and of the Persians:
3 And how Mardochai of the race of the Jews, was next after
king Assuerus: and great among the Jews, and acceptable to
the people of his brethren, seeking the good of his
people, and speaking those things which were for the
welfare of his seed.
4 Then Mardochai said: God hath done these things.
5 I remember a dream that I saw, which signified these same
things: and nothing thereof hath failed.
6 The little fountain which grew into a river, and was
turned into a light, and into the sun, and abounded into
many waters, is Esther, whom the king married, and made
queen.
7 But the two dragons are I and Aman.
8 The nations that were assembled are they that endeavoured
to destroy the name of the Jews.
9 And my nation is Israel, who cried to the Lord, and the
Lord saved his people: and he delivered us from all evils,
and hath wrought great signs and wonders among the
nations:
10 And he commanded that there should be two lots, one of the
people of God, and the other of all the nations.
11 And both lots came to the day appointed already from that
time before God to all nations:
12 And the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his
inheritance.
13 And these days shall be observed in the month of Adar on
the fourteenth, and fifteenth day of the same month. with
all diligence, and joy of the people gathered into one
assembly, throughout all the generations hereafter of the
people of Israel.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 11
1 In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra,
Dositheus, who said he was a priest, and of the Levitical
race, and Ptolemy his son brought this epistle of Phurim,
which they said Lysimachus the son of Ptolemy had
interpreted in Jerusalem.
2 In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great,
in the first day of the month Nisan, Mardochai the son of
Jair, the son of Semei, the son of Cis, of the tribe of
Benjamin:
3 A Jew who dwelt in the city of Susan, a great man and
among the first of the king's court, had it dream.
4 Now he was of the number of the captives, whom
Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away from
Jerusalem with Jechonias king of Juda:
5 And this was his dream: Behold there were voices, and
tumults, and thunders, and earthquakes, and a disturbance
upon the earth.
6 And behold two great dragons came forth ready to fight one
against another.
7 And at their cry all nations were stirred up to fight
against the nation of the just.
8 And that was a day of darkness and danger, of tribulation
and distress, and great fear upon the earth.
9 And the nation of the just was troubled fearing their own
evils, and was prepared for death.
10 And they cried to God: and as they were crying, a little
fountain grew into a very great river, and abounded into
many waters.
11 The light and the sun rose up, and the humble were
exalted, and they devoured the glorious.
12 And when Mardochai had seen this, and arose out of his
bed, he was thinking what God would do: and he kept it
fixed in his mind, desirous to know what the dream should
signify.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 12
1 And he abode at that time in the king's court with Bagatha
and Thara the king's eunuchs, who were porters of the
palace.
2 And when he understood their designs, and had diligently
searched into their projects, he learned that they went
about to lay violent hands on king Artaxerxes, and he told
the king thereof.
3 Then the king had them both examined, and after they had
confessed, commanded them to be put to death.
4 But the king made a record of what was done: and Mardochai
also committed the memory of the thing to writing.
5 And the king commanded him, to abide in the court of the
palace, and gave him presents for the information.
6 But Aman the son of Amadathi the Bugite was in great
honour with the king, and sought to hurt Mardochai and his
people, because of the two eunuchs of the king who were
put to death.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 13
1 And this was the copy of the letter: Artaxerxes the great
king who reigneth from India to Ethiopia, to the princes
and governors of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces,
that are subject to his empire, greeting.
2 Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought all
the world under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse
the greatness of my power, but to govern my subjects with
clemency and lenity, that they might live quietly without
any terror. and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all
men.
3 But when I asked my counsellors how this might be
accomplished, one that excelled the rest in wisdom and
fidelity, and was second after the king, Aman by name,
4 Told me that there was a people scattered through the
whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the
customs of all nations, despised the commandments of
kings, and violated by their opposition the concord of all
nations.
5 Wherefore having learned this, and seeing one nation in
opposition to all mankind using perverse laws, and going
against our commandments, and disturbing the peace and
concord of the provinces subject to us,
6 We have commanded that all whom Aman shall mark out, who
is chief over all the provinces, and second after the
king, and whom we honour as a father, shall be utterly
destroyed by their enemies, with their wives and children,
and that none shall have pity on them. on the fourteenth
day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
7 That these wicked men going down to hell in one day, may
restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.
8 But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his
works,
9 And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are
in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will,
if thou determine to save Israel.
10 Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all things that are
under the cope of heaven.
11 Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist
thy majesty.
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not
out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory, that I
refused to worship the proud Aman,
13 (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of
Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet,)
14 But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God
to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.
15 And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on
thy people, be- cause our enemies resolve to destroy us,
and extinguish thy inheritance.
16 Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for
thyself out of Egypt.
17 Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and
inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may
live and praise thy name, 0
Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.
18 And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to
the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over
their heads.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 14
1 Queen Esther also, fearing the danger that was at hand,
had recourse to the Lord.
2 And when she had laid away her royal apparel, she put on
garments suitable for weeping and mourning: instead of
divers precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes
and dung, and she humbled her body with fasts: and all the
places in which before she was accustomed to rejoice, she
filled with her torn hair.
3 And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my
Lord, who alone art our king, help me a desolate woman,
and who have no other helper but thee.
4 My danger is in my hands.
5 I have heard of my father that thou, O Lord, didst take
Israel from among all nations, and our fathers from all
their predecessors, to possess them as an everlasting
inheritance, and thou hast done to them as thou hast
promised.
6 We have sinned in thy sight, and therefore thou hast
delivered us into the hands of our enemies:
7 For we have worshipped their gods. Thou art just, O Lord.
8 And now they are not content to oppress us with most hard
bondage, but attributing the strength of their hands to
the power of their idols,
9 They design to change thy promises, and destroy thy
inheritance, and shut the mouths of them that praise thee,
and extinguish the glory of thy temple and altar,
10 That they may open the mouths of Gentiles, and praise the
strength of idols, and magnify for ever a carnal king.
11 Give not, O Lord, thy sceptre to them that are not, lest
they laugh at our ruin: but turn their counsel upon
themselves, and destroy him that hath begun to rage
against us.
12 Remember, O Lord, and shew thyself to us in the time of
our tribulation, and give me boldness, O Lord, king of
gods, and of all power:
13 Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence
of the lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our
enemy, that both he himself may perish, and the rest that
consent to him.
14 But deliver us by thy hand, and help me, who have no other
helper, but thee, O Lord, who hast the knowledge of all
things.
15 And thou knowest that I hate the glory of the wicked, and
abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of every stranger.
16 Thou knowest my necessity, that I abominate the sign of my
pride and glory, which is upon my head in the days of my
public appearance, and detest it as a menstruous rag, and
wear it not in the days of my silence,
17 And that I have not eaten at Aman's table, nor hath the
king's banquet pleased me, and that I have not drunk the
wine of the drink offerings:
18 And that thy handmaid hath never rejoiced, since I was
brought hither unto this day, but in thee, O Lord, the God
of Abraham.
19 O God, who art mighty above all, hear the voice of them,
that have no other hope, and deliver us from the hand of
the wicked, and deliver me from my fear.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 15
1 And he commanded her (no doubt but he was Mardochai) to go
to the king, and petition for her people, and for her
country.
2 Remember, (said he,) the days of thy low estate, how thou
wast brought up by my hand, because Aman the second after
the king hath spoken against us unto death.
3 And do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king for
us, and deliver us from death.
4 And on the third day she laid away the garments she wore,
and put on her glorious apparel.
5 And glittering in royal robes, after she had called upon
God the ruler and Saviour of all, she took two maids with
her,
6 And upon one of them she leaned, as if for delicateness
and overmuch tenderness she were not able to bear up her
own body.
7 And the other maid followed her lady, bearing up her train
flowing on the ground.
8 But she with a rosy colour in her face, and with gracious
and bright eyes, hid a mind full of anguish, and exceeding
great fear.
9 So going in she passed through all the doors in order, and
stood before the king, where he sat upon his royal throne,
clothed with his royal robes, and glittering with gold,
and precious stones, and he was terrible to behold.
10 And when he had lifted up his countenance, and with
burning eyes had shewn the wrath of his heart, the queen
sunk down, and her colour turned pale, and she rested her
weary head upon her handmaid.
11 And God changed the king's spirit into mildness, and all
in haste and in fear he leaped from his throne, and
holding her up in his arms, till she came to herself,
caressed her with these words:
12 What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother, fear not.
13 Thou shalt not die: for this law is not made for thee, but
for all others.
14 Come near then, and touch the sceptre.
15 And as she held her peace, he took the golden sceptre, and
laid it upon her neck, and kissed her, and said: Why dost
thou not speak to me?
16 She answered: I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and
my heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.
17 For thou, my lord, art very admirable, and thy. face is
full of graces.
18 And while she was speaking, she fell down again, and was
almost in a swoon.
19 But the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted
her.
The Book of Esther, Chapter 16
1 The great king Artaxerxes, from India to Ethiopia, to the
governors and princes of a hundred and twenty- seven
provinces, which obey our command, sendeth greeting.
2 Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and
the honour that hath been bestowed upon them:
3 And not only endeavour to oppress the king's subjects, but
not bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand to
practise also against them that gave it.
4 Neither are they content not to re- turn thanks for
benefits received, and to violate in themselves the laws
of humanity, but they think they can also escape the
justice of God who seeth all things.
5 And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour
to undermine by lies such as observe diligently the
offices committed to them, and do all things in such
manner as to be worthy of all men's praise,
6 While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes
that are well meaning, and judge of others by their own
nature.
7 Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the
things which are done daily, how the good designs of kings
are depraved by the evil suggestions of certain men.
8 Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.
9 Neither must you think, if we command different things,
that it cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give
sentence according to the quality and necessity of times,
as the profit of the commonwealth requireth.
10 Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, I
Aman the son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and
country, and having nothing of the Persian blood, but with
his cruelty staining our goodness, was received being a
stranger by us:
11 And found our humanity so great towards him, that he was
called our father, and was worshipped by all as the next
man after the king:
12 But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about
to deprive us of our kingdom and life.
13 For with certain new and unheard of devices he hath sought
the destruction of Mardochai, by whose fidelity and good
services our life was saved, and of Esther the partner of
our kingdom, with all their nation:
14 Thinking that after they were slain, he might work treason
against us left alone without friends, and might transfer
the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.
15 But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most
wicked man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all,
but contrariwise, use just laws,
16 And are the children of the highest and the greatest, and
the ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was
given both to our fathers and to us, and is kept unto this
day.
17 Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our
name, are void and of no effect.
18 For which crime both he himself that devised it, and all
his kindred hang on gibbets, before the gates of this city
Susan: not we, but God repaying him as he deserved.
19 But this edict, which we now send, shall be published in
all cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own
laws.
20 And you shall aid them that they may kill those who had
prepared themselves to kill them, on the thirteenth day of
the twelfth month, which is called Adar.
21 For the almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and
mourning into joy to them.
22 Wherefore you shall also count this day among other
festival days, and celebrate it with all joy, that it may
be known also in times to come,
23 That all they who faithfully obey the Persians, receive a
worthy reward for their fidelity : but they that are
traitors to their kingdom, are destroyed for their
wickedness.
24 And let every province and city, that will not be partaker
of this solemnity, perish by the sword and by fire, and be
destroyed in such manner as to be made unpassable, both to
men and beasts, for an example of contempt, and
disobedience.
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