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<< Esther 3
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1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes
that were with him.
2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed,
and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai
bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said
unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he
hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters
would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him
reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had
shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the
Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of
Mordecai.
7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year
of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to
day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people
scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy
kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the
king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them.
9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be
destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those
that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.
10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman
the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.
11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the
people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the
first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded
unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province,
and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing
thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus
was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's
provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and
old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the
twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a
prey.
14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every
province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that
day.
15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment,
and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down
to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
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