King James

« Esther 1 »
King James Bible
Xerxes' Royal Feasts
(Ezra 4:6-16; Proverbs 1:1-7; Proverbs 9:1-12)
1Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this [is] Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even
unto Ethiopia, [over] an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2[That] in those days, when
the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace, 3In the
third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia
and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him: 4When he shewed the
riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, [even] an
hundred and fourscore days.
5And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in
Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's
palace; 6[Where were] white, green, and blue, [hangings], fastened with cords of fine linen and
purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds [were of] gold and silver, upon a pavement of
red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 7And they gave [them] drink in vessels of gold, (the
vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of
the king. 8And the drinking [was] according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had
appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
9Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women [in] the royal house which [belonged] to king
Ahasuerus.
Queen Vashti's Refusal
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman,
Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in
the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown
royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she [was] fair to look on. 12But the
queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the
king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.
Queen Vashti Deposed
13Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so [was] the king's manner
toward all that knew law and judgment: 14And the next unto him [was] Carshena, Shethar,
Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, [and] Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which
saw the king's face, [and] which sat the first in the kingdom;) 15What shall we do unto the queen
Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus
by the chamberlains? 16And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen
hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that [are] in
all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. 17For [this] deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all
women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king
Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
18[Likewise] shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have
heard of the deed of the queen. Thus [shall there arise] too much contempt and wrath. 19If it
please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws
of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king
Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20And when
the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,)
all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small.
21And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of
Memucan: 22For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the
writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his
own house, and that [it] should be published according to the language of every people.
« Esther 2 »
King James Bible
Seeking Vashti's Successor
1After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and
what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2Then said the king's servants that
ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3And let the king appoint
officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins
unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's
chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given [them]: 4And let
the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king;
and he did so.
5[Now] in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name [was] Mordecai, the son of
Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6Who had been carried away from Jerusalem
with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7And he brought up Hadassah, that [is],
Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid [was] fair and
beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.
Esther Finds Favor
8So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many
maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was
brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9And the
maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for
purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, [which were] meet to be
given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best [place] of the
house of the women. 10Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had
charged her that she should not shew [it]. 11And Mordecai walked every day before the court of
the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.
12Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve
months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications
accomplished, [to wit], six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with
[other] things for the purifying of the women;) 13Then thus came [every] maiden unto the king;
whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the
king's house. 14In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of
the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she
came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by
name.
15Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her
for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's
chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all
them that looked upon her. 16So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the
tenth month, which [is] the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Esther Becomes Queen
17And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight
more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen
instead of Vashti. 18Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, [even]
Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the
king.
19And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's
gate. 20Esther had not [yet] shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for
Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.
Mordecai Uncovers a Conspiracy
21In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and
Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
22And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told [it] unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified
the king [thereof] in Mordecai's name. 23And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was
found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the
chronicles before the king.
« Esther 3 »
King James Bible
Haman Plots against the Jews
1After 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. 2And 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. 3Then the king's
servants, which [were] in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's
commandment? 4Now 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. 5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him
reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 6And 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.
7In 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. 8And 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. 9If 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. 10And the king took his ring from his hand, and
gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11And the king said
unto Haman, The silver [is] given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to
thee.
12Then 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. 13And 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. 14The 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. 15The 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.
« Esther 4 »
King James Bible
Mordecai Requests Esther's Help
1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with
ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2And came
even before the king's gate: for none [might] enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
3And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, [there was]
great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth
and ashes.
4So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told [it] her. Then was the queen exceedingly
grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he
received [it] not. 5Then called Esther for Hatach, [one] of the king's chamberlains, whom he had
appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it [was],
and why it [was]. 6So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which [was]
before the king's gate. 7And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum
of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy
them. 8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to
destroy them, to shew [it] unto Esther, and to declare [it] unto her, and to charge her that she
should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her
people.
9And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and
gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11All the king's servants, and the people of the king's
provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the
inner court, who is not called, [there is] one law of his to put [him] to death, except such to whom
the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in
unto the king these thirty days. 12And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the
king's house, more than all the Jews. 14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, [then]
shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy
father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for
[such] a time as this?
Esther Agrees to Help the Jews
15Then Esther bade [them] return Mordecai [this answer], 16Go, gather together all the Jews that
are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I
also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to
the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther
had commanded him.
« Esther 5 »
King James Bible
Esther Plans a Banquet
1Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in the
inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal
throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 2And it was so, when the king saw
Esther the queen standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held
out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top
of the sceptre. 3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what [is] thy
request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 4And Esther answered, If [it seem]
good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared
for him.
5Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king
and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 6And the king said unto Esther at the
banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what [is] thy request?
even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7Then answered Esther, and said, My
petition and my request [is]; 8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the
king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet
that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
Haman's Plot against Mordecai
9Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in
the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against
Mordecai. 10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called
for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. 11And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the
multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had
advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the
queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself;
and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long
as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 14Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends
unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that
Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the
thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
« Esther 6 »
King James Bible
Mordecai is Honored
1On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the
chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2And it was found written, that Mordecai had told
of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay
hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to
Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for
him. 4And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of
the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for
him. 5And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king
said, Let him come in. 6So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto
the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would
the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 7And Haman answered the king, For the man
whom the king delighteth to honour, 8Let the royal apparel be brought which the king [useth] to
wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
9And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes,
that they may array the man [withal] whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on
horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man
whom the king delighteth to honour.
Haman Forced to Honor Mordecai
10Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, [and] take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast
said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that
thou hast spoken. 11Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and
brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it
be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
12And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and
having his head covered. 13And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every [thing] that
had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai [be] of the
seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt
surely fall before him.
14And while they [were] yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring
Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
« Esther 7 »
King James Bible
Esthe Pleads for Her People
1So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 2And the king said again unto
Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What [is] thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall
be granted thee: and what [is] thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half of the
kingdom. 3Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king,
and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 4For
we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold
for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail
the king's damage. 5Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is
he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 6And Esther said, The adversary and
enemy [is] this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
Haman is Hanged
7And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath [went] into the palace garden: and
Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil
determined against him by the king. 8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the
place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther [was]. Then
said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the
king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 9And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before
the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had
spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's
wrath pacified.
« Esther 8 »
King James Bible
Mordecai is Advanced
1On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the
queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he [was] unto her. 2And the
king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set
Mordecai over the house of Haman.
3And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears
to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the
Jews. 4Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before
the king, 5And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing
[seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters
devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which
[are] in all the king's provinces: 6For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my
people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
Xerxes' Decree
7Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have
given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his
hand upon the Jews.
8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for
the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man
reverse.
9Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that [is], the month Sivan, on
the three and twentieth [day] thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai
commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces
which [are] from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province
according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews
according to their writing, and according to their language. 10And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus'
name, and sealed [it] with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, [and] riders on
mules, camels, [and] young dromedaries: 11Wherein the king granted the Jews which [were] in
every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to
cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [both] little ones
and women, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey, 12Upon one day in all the provinces of king
Ahasuerus, [namely], upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which [is] the month Adar.
13The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province [was] published unto
all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their
enemies. 14[So] the posts that rode upon mules [and] camels went out, being hastened and
pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
15And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with
a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan
rejoiced and was glad. 16The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17And in every
province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews
had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews;
for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
« Esther 9 »
King James Bible
The Jews Destroy Their Enemies
1Now in the twelfth month, that [is], the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the
king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies
of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews
had rule over them that hated them;) 2The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities
throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and
no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. 3And all the rulers of the
provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews;
because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4For Mordecai [was] great in the king's house, and
his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.
5Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and
destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. 6And in Shushan the palace the
Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8And
Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10The
ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil
laid they not their hand.
11On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the
king.
Haman's Sons Hanged
12And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in
Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's
provinces? now what [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what [is] thy request
further? and it shall be done. 13Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews
which [are] in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten
sons be hanged upon the gallows. 14And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree
was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. 15For the Jews that [were] in Shushan
gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three
hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.
16But the other Jews that [were] in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood
for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand,
but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the
fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
The Feast of Purim Instituted
18But the Jews that [were] at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] thereof, and on
the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of
feasting and gladness. 19Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns,
made the fourteenth day of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and
of sending portions one to another.
20
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that [were] in all the
provinces of the king Ahasuerus, [both] nigh and far, 21To stablish [this] among them, that they
should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22As
the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them
from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of
feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.
23And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
24Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised
against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that [is], the lot, to consume them, and to
destroy them; 25But when [Esther] came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked
device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his
sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of
Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and [of that] which they had seen concerning this
matter, and which had come unto them, 27The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their
seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would
keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their [appointed] time every year;
28And [that] these days [should be] remembered and kept throughout every generation, every
family, every province, and every city; and [that] these days of Purim should not fail from among
the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.
29Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to
confirm this second letter of Purim. 30And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred
twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, [with] words of peace and truth, 31To
confirm these days of Purim in their times [appointed], according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther
the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the
matters of the fastings and their cry. 32And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim;
and it was written in the book.
« Esther 10 »
King James Bible
Tribute to Xerxes and Mordecai
1And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and [upon] the isles of the sea. 2And all the
acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto
the king advanced him, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media
and Persia? 3For Mordecai the Jew [was] next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews,
and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking
peace to all his seed.