AddEsth 13:1 The copy of the letters was this: The great king Artexerxes
writeth these things to the princes and governours that are under him from
India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.
AddEsth 13:2 After that I became lord over many nations and had dominion
over the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but
carrying myself always with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle my
subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom peaceable, and
open for passage to the utmost coasts, to renew peace, which is desired of
all men.
AddEsth 13:3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to
pass, Aman, that excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his
constant good will and steadfast fidelity, and had the honour of the second
place in the kingdom,
AddEsth 13:4 Declared unto us, that in all nations throughout the world
there was scattered a certain malicious people, that had laws contrary to
ail nations, and continually despised the commandments of kings, so as the
uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us cannot go forward.
AddEsth 13:5 Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually
in opposition unto all men, differing in the strange manner of their laws,
and evil affected to our state, working all the mischief they can that our
kingdom may not be firmly established:
AddEsth 13:6 Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified
in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is next
unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by
the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day
of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
AddEsth 13:7 That they, who of old and now also are malicious, may in one
day with violence go into the grave, and so ever hereafter cause our affairs
to be well settled, and without trouble.
AddEsth 13:8 Then Mardocheus thought upon all the works of the Lord, and
made his prayer unto him,
AddEsth 13:9 Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world is
in thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man
that can gainsay thee:
AddEsth 13:10 For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous
things under the heaven.
AddEsth 13:11 Thou art Lord of all things, and and there is no man that can
resist thee, which art the Lord.
AddEsth 13:12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was
neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not
bow down to proud Aman.
AddEsth 13:13 For I could have been content with good will for the salvation
of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.
AddEsth 13:14 But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above
the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I
do it in pride.
AddEsth 13:15 And now, O Lord God and King, spare thy people: for their eyes
are upon us to bring us to nought; yea, they desire to destroy the
inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.
AddEsth 13:16 Despise not the portion, which thou hast delivered out of
Egypt for thine own self.
AddEsth 13:17 Hear my prayer, and be merciful unto thine inheritance: turn
our sorrow into joy, that we may live, O Lord, and praise thy name: and
destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee, O Lord.
AddEsth 13:18 All Israel in like manner cried most earnestly unto the Lord,
because their death was before their eyes.