,f www4ebible4org ) slight re=matt+ by  
,m>t9 ,w>d4        ,book #ag ,e/h]      
#jja3jja ,n[ x happ5$ 9 ! days (        
,ahasu]us 7?is is ,ahasu]us          :o 
reign$ f ,india ev5 to ,e?iopia1 ov] "o 
hundr$ tw5ty-sev5 prov9ces71  #jja3jjb t
 9 ^? days1 :5 ! ,k+ ,ahasu]us sat on ! 
?rone          ( 8 k+dom1 :i* 0 9 ,%u%an
 ! palace1  #jja3jjc 9 ! ?ird ye> ( 8   
reign1 he made a fea/ = all 8           
pr9ces & 8 s]vants2 ! p[] ( ,p]sia &    
,m$ia1          ! nobles & pr9ces ( !   
prov9ces1 be+ be=e him4  #jja3jjd ,he   
display$ ! ri*es ( 8 glori\s k+dom & !  
honor          ( 8 excell5t maje/y _m   
days1 ev5 "o hundr$ eighty days4        
#jja3jje ,:5 ^! days 7 fulfill$1 ! k+   
made a sev5 day          fea/ = all ! p 
:o 7 pres5t 9 ,%u%an          ! palace1 
bo? great & small1 9 ! c\rt ( ! g>d5    
( ! k+'s palace4  #jja3jjf ,!re 7 hang+s
 ( :ite1 gre51 & blue mat]ial1          
fa/5$ ) cords ( f9e l95 & purple to     
silv] r+s          & m>ble pill>s4  ,!  
c\*es 7 ( gold & silv]1          on a   

pavem5t ( r$1 :ite1 yell[1 & black      
m>ble4  #jja3jjg ,!y gave !m dr9ks 9    
gold5 vessels ( v>i\s k9ds1             
includ+ royal w9e 9 abundance1 accord+  
to ! b\nty          ( ! k+4  #jja3jjh ,9
 accordance ) ! law1 ! dr9k+ 0 n        
compulsory2          = s ! k+ _h        
in/ruct$ all ! (ficials ( 8 h\se1       
t !y %\ld d accord+ to e man's pleasure4
  #jja3jji ,also ,va%ti ! que5 made a   
fea/ = ! wom5 9 ! royal          h\se   
:i* belong$ to ,k+ ,ahasu]us4  #jja3jaj 
,on ! sev5? day1 :5 ! he>t ( ! k+ 0 m]ry
          ) w9e1 he comm&$ ,mehuman1    
,biz?a1 ,h>bona1 ,big?a1          &     
,abag?a1 ,ze?>1 & ,c>cass1 ! sev5 eunu*s
 :o s]v$          9 ! pres5ce (         
,ahasu]us ! k+1  #jja3jaa to br+ ,va%ti 
! que5 be=e ! k+ ) ! royal cr[n1        
to %[ ! p & ! pr9ces h] beauty2         
= %e 0 beautiful4  #jja3jab ,b ! que5   
,va%ti refus$ to come at ! k+'s comm&m5t
          by ! eunu*s4  ,!re=e ! k+ 0 v 
angry1 & 8          ang] burn$ 9 him4   
#jja3jac ,!n ! k+ said to ! wise m51 :o 

knew ! times1          7= x 0 ! k+'s    
cu/om to consult ^? :o knew          law
 & judgm5t2  #jja3jad & ! next to him 7 
,c>%5a1 ,%e?>1 ,adma?a1 ,t>%i%1         
,m]es1 ,m>s5a1 & ,memucan1 ! sev5 pr9ces
 ( ,p]sia & ,m$ia1          :o saw !    
k+'s face1 & sat fir/ 9 ! k+dom71       
#jja3jae ,:at %all we d to ! que5 ,va%ti
 accord+ to law1          because %e has
 n done ! bidd+ ( ! ,k+ ,ahasu]us       
by ! eunu*s8  #jja3jaf ,memucan answ]$  
be=e ! k+ & ! pr9ces1          ,va%ti ! 
que5 has n done wrong to j ! k+1        
b also to all ! pr9ces1 & to all ! p :o 
are          9 all ! prov9ces ( ! ,k+   
,ahasu]us4  #jja3jag ,= ?is de$ ( ! que5
 w become kn[n to all wom51             
caus+ !m to %[ contempt = _! husb&s1 :5 
x          is report$1 ',k+ ,ahasu]us   
comm&$ ,va%ti ! que5          to be     
br\ght 9 be=e him1 b %e didn't come4'   
#jja3jah ,today1 ! pr9cesses ( ,p]sia & 
,m$ia :o h he>d          ( ! que5's de$ 
w tell all ! k+'s pr9ces4          ,?is 
w cause mu* contempt & wra?4  #jja3jai  

,if x please ! k+1 let a royal comm&m5t 
g f him1          & let x be writt5     
among ! laws ( ! ,p]sians & ! ,m$es1    
s t x _c be alt]$1 t ,va%ti may nev]    
aga9          come be=e ,k+ ,ahasu]us2 &
 let ! k+ give h] royal          e/ate  
to ano!r :o is bett] ?an %e4  #jja3jbj  
,:5 ! k+'s decree :i* he %all make is   
publi%$          ?r\gh\t all 8 k+dom 7= 
x is great71 all ! wives          w give
 _! husb&s honor1 bo? great & small4    
#jja3jba ,?is advice pleas$ ! k+ & !    
pr9ces1 & ! k+          did accord+ to !
 ^w ( ,memucan3  #jja3jbb = he s5t      
lett]s into all ! k+'s prov9ces1 into e 
prov9ce accord+ to its writ+1 & to e p  
9 _! language1 t e man %\ld rule 8 own  
h\se1          speak+ 9 ! language ( 8  
own p4  #jjb3jja ,aft] ^! ?+s1 :5 ! wra?
 ( ,k+ ,ahasu]us 0 pacifi$1          he 
rememb]$ ,va%ti1 & :at %e _h done1 & :at
 0          decre$ aga9/ h]4  #jjb3jjb  
,!n ! k+'s s]vants :o s]v$ him said1    
,let beautiful          "y virg9s be    
s\ght = ! k+4  #jjb3jjc ,let ! k+ appo9t

 (fic]s 9 all ! prov9ces ( 8 k+dom1     
t !y may ga!r toge!r all ! beautiful "y 
virg9s to ! citadel ( ,susa1 to ! wom5's
 h\se1          to ! cu/ody ( ,hegai !  
k+'s eunu*1 keep] ( ! wom54             
,let cosmetics be giv5 !m2  #jjb3jjd &  
let ! maid5 :o pleases ! k+ be que5     
in/ead ( ,va%ti4          ,! ?+ pleas$ !
 k+1 & he did s4  #jjb3jje ,!re 0 a     
c]ta9 ,jew 9 ! citadel ( ,susa1 ^: "n   
0 ,mordecai1 ! son ( ,jair1 ! son (     
,%imei1 ! son          ( ,ki%1 a        
,b5jamite1  #jjb3jjf :o _h be5 c>ri$    
away f ,j]usalem ) ! captives           
:o _h be5 c>ri$ away ) ,jeconiah k+ (   
,judah1          :om ,nebu*adnezz> ! k+ 
( ,babylon _h c>ri$ away4  #jjb3jjg ,he 
br\ght up ,hadassah1 t is1 ,e/h]1 8     
uncle's daught]2          = %e _h nei!r 
fa!r nor "m4  ,! maid5 0 fair          &
 beautiful2 & :5 h] fa!r & "m 7 dead1   
,mordecai took h] = 8 own daught]4      
#jjb3jjh ,s x happ5$1 :5 ! k+'s comm&m5t
 & 8 decree          0 he>d1 & :5 _m    
maid5s 7 ga!r$ toge!r          to !     

citadel ( ,susa1 to ! cu/ody ( ,hegai1 t
 ,e/h]          0 tak5 into ! k+'s h\se1
 to ! cu/ody ( ,hegai1          keep] ( 
! wom54  #jjb3jji ,! maid5 pleas$ him1 &
 %e obta9$ k9dness f him4          ,he  
quickly gave h] cosmetics & h] portions 
( food1          & ! sev5 *oice maid5s  
:o 7 to be giv5 h] out          ( ! k+'s
 h\se4  ,he mov$ h] & h] maid5s to ! be/
          place 9 ! wom5's h\se4        
#jjb3jaj ,e/h] _h n made kn[n h] p nor  
h] relatives1          because ,mordecai
 _h in/ruct$ h] t %e %\ld n             
make x kn[n4  #jjb3jaa ,mordecai walk$ e
 day 9 front ( ! c\rt ( ! wom5's h\se1  
to f9d out h[ ,e/h] did1 & :at w\ld     
become ( h]4  #jjb3jab ,ea* "y woman's  
turn came to g 9 to ,k+ ,ahasu]us aft]  
h] purification = twelve mon?s 7= s 7 ! 
days (          _! purification         
accompli%$1 six mon?s ) oil ( myrrh1    
& six mon?s ) sweet fragrances & )      
prep>ations          = beautify+ wom574 
#jjb3jac ,! "y woman !n came to ! k+ l  
?is3  :atev] %e          desir$ 0 giv5  

h] to g ) h] out ( ! wom5's h\se        
to ! k+'s h\se4  #jjb3jad ,9 ! ev5+ %e  
w5t1 & on ! next day %e return$         
into ! second wom5's h\se1 to ! cu/ody (
 ,%aa%gaz1          ! k+'s eunu*1 :o    
kept ! concub9es4  ,%e came          9  
to ! k+ no m1 unless ! k+ delight$ 9 h]1
          & %e 0 call$ by "n4  #jjb3jae 
,n[ :5 ! turn ( ,e/h]1 ! daught] (      
,abihail ! uncle          ( ,mordecai1  
:o _h tak5 h] = 8 daught]1 came to g 9  
to          ! k+1 %e requir$ no?+ b :at 
,hegai ! k+'s eunu*1          ! keep] ( 
! wom51 advis$4  ,e/h] obta9$ favor     
9 ! sight ( all ^? :o look$ at h]4      
#jjb3jaf ,s ,e/h] 0 tak5 to ,k+         
,ahasu]us into 8 royal h\se          9 !
 t5? mon?1 :i* is ! mon? ,tebe?1 9 !    
sev5?          ye> ( 8 reign4  #jjb3jag 
,! k+ lov$ ,e/h] m ?an all ! wom51 & %e 
obta9$          favor & k9dness 9 8     
sight m ?an all ! virg9s2          s t  
he set ! royal cr[n on h] head1 & made  
h] que5          in/ead ( ,va%ti4       
#jjb3jah ,!n ! k+ made a great fea/ =   

all 8 pr9ces & 8 s]vants1          ev5  
,e/h]'s fea/2 & he proclaim$ a holiday 9
 ! prov9ces1          & gave gifts      
accord+ to ! k+'s b\nty4  #jjb3jai ,:5 !
 virg9s 7 ga!r$ toge!r ! second "t1     
,mordecai 0 sitt+ 9 ! k+'s gate4        
#jjb3jbj ,e/h] _h n yet made kn[n h]    
relatives nor h] p1          z ,mordecai
 _h *>g$ h]2 = ,e/h] obey$ ,mordecai1   
l %e did :5 %e 0 br\ght up by him4      
#jjb3jba ,9 ^? days1 :ile ,mordecai 0   
sitt+ 9 ! k+'s gate1          two ( !   
k+'s eunu*s1 ,big?an & ,t]e%1 :o 7      
doorkeep]s1          7 angry1 & s\ght to
 lay h&s on ! ,k+ ,ahasu]us4  #jjb3jbb  
,?is ?+ became kn[n to ,mordecai1 :o    
in=m$ ,e/h] ! que52          & ,e/h]    
in=m$ ! k+ 9 ,mordecai's "n4  #jjb3jbc  
,:5 ?is matt] 0 inve/igat$1 & x 0 f\nd  
to be s1          !y 7 bo? hang$ on a   
tree2 & x 0 writt5 9 ! book          ( !
 *ronicles 9 ! k+'s pres5ce4  #jjc3jja  
,aft] ^! ?+s ,k+ ,ahasu]us promot$      
,haman ! son          ( ,hamm$a?a !     
,agagite1 & advanc$ him1 & set 8 seat   

above all ! pr9ces :o 7 ) him4  #jjc3jjb
 ,all ! k+'s s]vants :o 7 9 ! k+'s gate 
b[$ d[n1          & paid homage to      
,haman2 = ! k+ _h s comm&$              
conc]n+ him4  ,b ,mordecai didn't b[ d[n
 or pay him homage4  #jjc3jjc ,!n ! k+'s
 s]vants1 :o 7 9 ! k+'s gate1           
said to ,mordecai1 ,:y d y disobey !    
k+'s comm&m5t8  #jjc3jjd ,n[ x came to  
pass1 :5 !y spoke daily to him1 & he    
didn't          li/5 to !m1 t !y told   
,haman1 to see :e!r ,mordecai's         
reason w\ld /&2 = he _h told !m t he 0 a
 ,jew4  #jjc3jje ,:5 ,haman saw t       
,mordecai didn't b[ d[n1 nor pay him    
homage1          ,haman 0 full ( wra?4  
#jjc3jjf ,b he scorn$ ! ?\ght ( lay+ h&s
 on ,mordecai alone1          = !y _h   
made kn[n to him ,mordecai's p4         
,!re=e ,haman s\ght to de/roy all !     
,jews :o 7 ?r\gh\t          ! :ole k+dom
 ( ,ahasu]us1 ev5 ! ,mordecai's p4      
#jjc3jjg ,9 ! fir/ mon?1 :i* is ! mon?  
,nisan1 9 ! twelf?          ye> ( ,k+   
,ahasu]us1 !y ca/ ,pur1 t is1 ! lot1    

be=e ,haman f day to day1 & f mon? to   
mon?1          & *ose ! twelf? mon?1 :i*
 is ! mon? ,ad>4  #jjc3jjh ,haman said  
to ,k+ ,ahasu]us1 ,!re is a c]ta9 p     
scatt]$ abroad & disp]s$ among ! peoples
 9 all          ! prov9ces ( y\r k+dom1 
& _! laws are diff]5t          ?an o!r  
p's4 ,!y don't keep ! k+'s laws4        
,!re=e x is n = ! k+'s pr(it to all[ !m 
to rema94  #jjc3jji ,if x pleases ! k+1 
let x be writt5 t !y be de/roy$2        
& ,i w pay t5 ?\s& tal5ts ( silv] into !
 h&s          ( ^? :o are 9 *>ge ( !    
k+'s bus9ess1 to br+          x into !  
k+'s treasuries4  #jjc3jaj ,! k+ took 8 
r+ f 8 h&1 & gave x to ,haman          !
 son ( ,hamm$a?a ! ,agagite1 ! ,jews'   
enemy4  #jjc3jaa ,! k+ said to ,haman1  
,! silv] is giv5 to y1          ! p     
also1 to d ) !m z x seems good to y4    
#jjc3jab ,!n ! k+'s scribes 7 call$ 9 on
 ! fir/ mon?1          on ! ?irte5? day 
( ! mon?2 & all t ,haman comm&$         
0 writt5 to ! k+'s satraps1 & to !      
gov]nors :o          7 ov] e prov9ce1 & 

to ! pr9ces ( e p1          to e prov9ce
 accord+ its writ+1 & to e p          9 
_! language4  ,x 0 writt5 9 ! "n ( ,k+  
,ahasu]us1          & x 0 seal$ ) ! k+'s
 r+4  #jjc3jac ,lett]s 7 s5t by c\ri]s  
into all ! k+'s prov9ces1          to   
de/roy1 to kill1 & to cause to p]i%1 all
 ,jews1          bo? "y & old1 little   
*ildr5 & wom51 9 "o day1          ev5 on
 ! ?irte5? day ( ! twelf? mon?1 :i* is  
! mon? ,ad>1 & to plund] _! possessions4
  #jjc3jad ,a copy ( ! lett]1 t ! decree
 %\ld be giv5          out 9 e prov9ce1 
0 publi%$ to all ! peoples1          t  
!y %\ld be ready aga9/ t day4  #jjc3jae 
,! c\ri]s w5t =? 9 ha/e by ! k+'s       
comm&m5t1          & ! decree 0 giv5 out
 9 ! citadel ( ,susa4          ,! k+ &  
,haman sat d[n to dr9k2 b ! city (      
,%u%an 0 p]plex$4  #jjd3jja ,n[ :5      
,mordecai f\nd out all t 0 done1        
,mordecai tore          8 clo!s1 & put  
on sackclo? ) a%es1 & w5t out           
into ! mid/ ( ! city1 & wail$ l\dly & a 
bitt]ly4  #jjd3jjb ,he came ev5 be=e !  

k+'s gate1 = no "o is all[$             
inside ! k+'s gate clo!d ) sackclo?4    
#jjd3jjc ,9 e prov9ce1 :]ev] ! k+'s     
comm&m5t & 8          decree came1 !re 0
 great m\rn+ among ! ,jews1 & fa/+1     
& weep+1 & wail+2 & _m lay 9 sackclo? & 
a%es4  #jjd3jjd ,e/h]'s maid5s & h]     
eunu*s came & told h] ?is1          & ! 
que5 0 exce$+ly griev$4  ,%e s5t clo?+  
to ,mordecai1 to replace 8 sackclo?2 b  
he didn't receive x4  #jjd3jje ,!n ,e/h]
 call$ = ,ha?a*1 "o ( ! k+'s eunu*s1    
:om he _h appo9t$ to att5d h]1 & comm&$ 
him to g          to ,mordecai1 to f9d  
out :at ?is 01 & :y x 04  #jjd3jjf ,s   
,ha?a* w5t out to ,mordecai1 to city    
squ>e :i* 0          be=e ! k+'s gate4  
#jjd3jjg ,mordecai told him ( all t _h  
happ5$ to him1 & ! exact          sum ( 
! money t ,haman _h promis$ to pay to ! 
k+'s          treasuries = ! de/ruction 
( ! ,jews4  #jjd3jjh ,he also gave him !
 copy ( ! writ+ ( ! decree t 0          
giv5 out 9 ,%u%an to de/roy !m1 to %[ x 
to ,e/h]1          & to decl>e x to h]1 

& to urge h] to g 9 to ! k+1          to
 make supplication to him1 & to make    
reque/ be=e him1          = h] p4       
#jjd3jji ,ha?a* came & told ,e/h] !     
words ( ,mordecai4  #jjd3jaj ,!n ,e/h]  
spoke to ,ha?a*1 & gave him a message to
 ,mordecai3  #jjd3jaa ,all ! k+'s       
s]vants1 & ! p ( ! k+'s prov9ces1       
"k1 t :oev]1 :e!r man or woman1 comes to
 ! k+          into ! inn] c\rt )\t be+ 
call$1 !re is "o law          = him1 t  
he be put to dea?1 except ^? to :om     
! k+ might hold out ! gold5 scept]1 t he
 may live4          ,i h n be5 call$ to 
come 9 to ! k+ ^! ?irty days4  #jjd3jab 
,!y told to ,mordecai ,e/h]'s words4    
#jjd3jac ,!n ,mordecai ask$ !m return   
answ] to ,e/h]1 ,don't ?9k          to  
y\rself t y w escape 9 ! k+'s h\se any m
          ?an all ! ,jews4  #jjd3jad ,= 
if y rema9 sil5t n[1 !n relief &        
deliv]ance          w come to ! ,jews f 
ano!r place1 b y & y\r          fa!r's  
h\se w p]i%4  ,:o kn[s if y hav5't come 
to ! k+dom = su* a "t z ?is8  #jjd3jae  

,!n ,e/h] ask$ !m to answ] ,mordecai1   
#jjd3jaf ,g1 ga!r toge!r all ! ,jews :o 
are pres5t 9 ,%u%an1          & fa/ =   
me1 & nei!r eat nor dr9k ?ree days1     
night or day4  ,i & my maid5s w also fa/
 ! same way4          ,!n ,i w g 9 to ! 
k+1 :i* is aga9/ ! law2          & if ,i
 p]i%1 ,i p]i%4  #jjd3jag ,s ,mordecai  
w5t 8 way1 & did accord+ to all t ,e/h] 
_h comm&$ him4  #jje3jja ,n[ x happ5$ on
 ! ?ird day t ,e/h] put on h]           
royal clo?+1 & /ood 9 ! inn] c\rt ( !   
k+'s h\se1          next to ! k+'s h\se4
  ,! k+ sat on 8 royal ?rone          9 
! royal h\se1 next to ! entrance ( !    
h\se4  #jje3jjb ,:5 ! k+ saw ,e/h] !    
que5 /&+ 9 ! c\rt1          %e obta9$   
favor 9 8 sight2 & ! k+ held            
out to ,e/h] ! gold5 scept] t 0 9 8 h&4 
,s ,e/h] came ne>1 & t\*$ ! top ( !     
scept]4  #jje3jjc ,!n ! k+ ask$ h]1 ,:at
 w\ld y l1 que5 ,e/h]8  ,:at is         
y\r reque/8  ,x %all be giv5 y ev5 to ! 
half          ( ! k+dom4  #jje3jjd ,e/h]
 said1 ,if x seems good to ! k+1 let !  

k+ & ,haman          come today to !    
banquet t ,i h prep>$ = him4  #jje3jje  
,!n ! k+ said1 ,br+ ,haman quickly1 s t 
x may be done          z ,e/h] has said4
  ,s ! k+ & ,haman came to ! banquet    
t ,e/h] _h prep>$4  #jje3jjf ,! k+ said 
to ,e/h] at ! banquet ( w9e1 ,:at is    
y\r petition8  ,x %all be grant$ y4     
,:at is y\r reque/8          ,ev5 to !  
half ( ! k+dom x %all be p]=m$4         
#jje3jjg ,!n ,e/h] answ]$ & said1 ,my   
petition & my reque/ is ?is4  #jje3jjh  
,if ,i h f\nd favor 9 ! sight ( ! k+1 & 
if x please          ! k+ to grant my   
petition & to p]=m my reque/1           
let ! k+ & ,haman come to ! banquet t ,i
 w prep>e          = !m1 & ,i w d       
tomorr[ z ! k+ has said4  #jje3jji ,!n  
,haman w5t out t day joyful & glad (    
he>t1 b :5          ,haman saw ,mordecai
 9 ! k+'s gate1 t he didn't /& up       
nor move = him1 he 0 fill$ ) wra? aga9/ 
,mordecai4  #jje3jaj ,nev]!less ,haman  
re/ra9$ himself1 & w5t home4            
,!re1 he s5t & call$ = 8 fri5ds & ,z]e% 

8 wife4  #jje3jaa ,haman rec\nt$ to !m !
 glory ( 8 ri*es1 ! multitude          (
 8 *ildr51 all ! ?+s 9 :i* ! k+ _h      
promot$ him1          & h[ he _h advanc$
 him above ! pr9ces & s]vants          (
 ! k+4  #jje3jab ,haman also said1 ,yes1
 ,e/h] ! que5 let no man come 9 )       
! k+ to ! banquet t %e _h prep>$ b      
myself2          & tomorr[ ,i am also   
invit$ by h] toge!r ) ! k+4  #jje3jac   
,yet all ?is avails me no?+1 s long z ,i
 see ,mordecai          ! ,jew sitt+ at 
! k+'s gate4  #jje3jad ,!n ,z]e% 8 wife 
& all 8 fri5ds said to him1             
,let a gall[s be made fifty cubits high1
 & 9 !          morn+ speak to ! k+ ab\t
 hang+ ,mordecai on x4          ,!n g 9 
m]rily ) ! k+ to ! banquet4             
,?is pleas$ ,haman1 s he _h ! gall[s    
made4  #jjf3jja ,on t night1 ! k+       
c\ldn't sleep4  ,he comm&$ ! book       
( records ( ! *ronicles to be br\ght1 & 
!y 7 read          to ! k+4  #jjf3jjb ,x
 0 f\nd writt5 t ,mordecai _h told (    
,big?ana          & ,t]e%1 two ( ! k+'s 

eunu*s1 :o 7 doorkeep]s1          :o _h 
tri$ to lay h&s on ! ,k+ ,ahasu]us4     
#jjf3jjc ,! k+ said1 ,:at honor &       
dignity has be5 be/[$ on                
,mordecai = ?is8  ,!n ! k+'s s]vants :o 
att5d$          him said1 ,no?+ has be5 
done = him4  #jjf3jjd ,! k+ said1 ,:o is
 9 ! c\rt8  ,n[ ,haman _h come into     
! out] c\rt ( ! k+'s h\se1 to speak to !
 k+ ab\t          hang+ ,mordecai on !  
gall[s t he _h prep>$ = him4  #jjf3jje  
,! k+'s s]vants said to him1 ,behold1   
,haman /&s 9 ! c\rt4          ,! k+     
said1 ,let him come 94  #jjf3jjf ,s     
,haman came 94  ,! k+ said to him1 ,:at 
%all          be done to ! man :om ! k+ 
delights to honor8          ,n[ ,haman  
said 9 8 he>t1 ,:o w\ld ! k+ delight    
to honor m ?an myself8  #jjf3jjg ,haman 
said to ! k+1 ,= ! man :om ! k+ delights
 to honor1  #jjf3jjh let royal clo?+ be 
br\ght :i* ! k+ uses to we>1          & 
! horse t ! k+ rides on1 & on ! head    
( :i* a cr[n royal is set4  #jjf3jji    
,let ! clo?+ & ! horse be deliv]$ to !  

h&          ( "o ( ! k+'s mo/ noble     
pr9ces1 t !y may          array ! man   
:om ! k+ delights to honor ) !m1        
& h him ride on horseback ?r\gh ! city  
squ>e1          & proclaim be=e him1    
',?us %all x be done to ! man           
:om ! k+ delights to honor6'  #jjf3jaj  
,!n ! k+ said to ,haman1 ,hurry & take !
 clo?+ &          ! horse1 z y h said1 &
 d ?is = ,mordecai ! ,jew1          :o  
sits at ! k+'s gate4  ,let no?+ fail (  
all t          y h spok54  #jjf3jaa ,!n 
,haman took ! clo?+ & ! horse1 & array$ 
,mordecai1          & _h him ride ?r\gh 
! city squ>e1 & proclaim$          be=e 
him1 ,?us %all x be done to ! man :om ! 
k+          delights to honor6  #jjf3jab
 ,mordecai came back to ! k+'s gate1 b  
,haman hurri$          to 8 h\se1 m\rn+ 
& hav+ 8 head cov]$4  #jjf3jac ,haman   
rec\nt$ to ,z]e% 8 wife & all 8 fri5ds  
ev]y?+          t _h happ5$ to him4  ,!n
 8 wise m5 & ,z]e% 8 wife          said 
to him1 ,if ,mordecai1 be=e :om y h     
begun to fall1          is ( ,jewi%     

desc5t1 y w n prevail aga9/ him1        
b y w surely fall be=e him4  #jjf3jad   
,:ile !y 7 yet talk+ ) him1 ! k+'s      
eunu*s came1          & hurri$ to br+   
,haman to ! banquet t ,e/h] _h prep>$4  
#jjg3jja ,s ! k+ & ,haman came to       
banquet ) ,e/h] ! que54  #jjg3jjb ,! k+ 
said aga9 to ,e/h] on ! second day at ! 
banquet          ( w9e1 ,:at is y\r     
petition1 que5 ,e/h]8  ,x %all          
be grant$ y4  ,:at is y\r reque/8  ,ev5 
to ! half          ( ! k+dom x %all be  
p]=m$4  #jjg3jjc ,!n ,e/h] ! que5       
answ]$1 ,if ,i h f\nd favor 9 y\r sight1
          ,o k+1 & if x please ! k+1 let
 my life be giv5 me          at my      
petition1 & my p at my reque/4  #jjg3jjd
 ,= we are sold1 ,i & my p1 to be       
de/roy$1 to be sla91          & to p]i%4
  ,b if we _h be5 sold = bonds]vants    
& bondmaids1 ,i w\ld h held my peace1   
al?\gh ! adv]s>y          c\ld n h      
comp5sat$ = ! k+'s loss4  #jjg3jje ,!n  
,k+ ,ahasu]us said to ,e/h] ! que51 ,:o 
is he1          & :]e is he :o d>$      

presume 9 8 he>t to d s8  #jjg3jjf ,e/h]
 said1 ,an adv]s>y & an enemy1 ev5 ?is  
wick$ ,haman6  ,!n ,haman 0 afraid be=e 
! k+          & ! que54  #jjg3jjg ,! k+ 
arose 9 8 wra? f ! banquet ( w9e & w5t  
into ! palace g>d54  ,haman /ood up to  
make reque/          = 8 life to ,e/h] !
 que52 = he saw t !re 0          evil   
det]m9$ aga9/ him by ! k+4  #jjg3jjh ,!n
 ! k+ return$ out ( ! palace g>d5 into !
 place          ( ! banquet ( w9e2 &    
,haman _h fall5 on ! c\*          :]e   
,e/h] 04  ,!n ! k+ said1 ,w he ev5      
assault          ! que5 9 front ( me 9 !
 h\se8  ,z ! ^w w5t          out ( !    
k+'s m\?1 !y cov]$ ,haman's face4       
#jjg3jji ,!n ,h>bonah1 "o ( ! eunu*s :o 
7 ) ! k+ said1          ,behold1 !      
gall[s fifty cubits high1 :i* ,haman has
          made = ,mordecai1 :o spoke    
good = ! k+1 is /&+          at ,haman's
 h\se4  ,! k+ said1 ,hang him on x6     
#jjg3jaj ,s !y hang$ ,haman on ! gall[s 
t he _h prep>$          = ,mordecai4    
,!n 0 ! k+'s wra? pacifi$4  #jjh3jja ,on

 t day1 ,k+ ,ahasu]us gave ! h\se (     
,haman1 ! ,jews'          enemy1 to     
,e/h] ! que54  ,mordecai came be=e ! k+2
          = ,e/h] _h told :at he 0 to   
h]4  #jjh3jjb ,! k+ took (f 8 r+1 :i* he
 _h tak5 f ,haman1          & gave x to 
,mordecai4  ,e/h] set ,mordecai ov] !   
h\se ( ,haman4  #jjh3jjc ,e/h] spoke yet
 aga9 be=e ! k+1 & fell d[n at 8 feet1  
& begg$ him ) te>s to put away ! mis*ief
 ( ,haman          ! ,agagite1 & 8      
device t he _h devis$ aga9/ ! ,jews4    
#jjh3jjd ,!n ! k+ held out to ,e/h] !   
gold5 scept]4          ,s ,e/h] arose1 &
 /ood be=e ! k+4  #jjh3jje ,%e said1 ,if
 x pleases ! k+1 & if ,i h f\nd favor   
9 8 sight1 & ! ?+ seem "r to ! k+1 & ,i 
am          pleas+ 9 8 eyes1 let x be   
writt5 to rev]se ! lett]s               
devis$ by ,haman1 ! son ( ,hamm$a?a !   
,agagite1 :i* he wrote          to      
de/roy ! ,jews :o are 9 all ! k+'s      
prov9ces4  #jjh3jjf ,= h[ c ,i endure to
 see ! evil t w\ld come to my p8        
,h[ c ,i endure to see ! de/ruction ( my

 relatives8  #jjh3jjg ,!n ,k+ ,ahasu]us 
said to ,e/h] ! que5 & to ,mordecai     
! ,jew1 ,see1 ,i h giv5 ,e/h] ! h\se (  
,haman1          & him !y h hang$ on !  
gall[s1 because he laid          8 h& on
 ! ,jews4  #jjh3jjh ,write also to !    
,jews1 z x pleases y1 9 ! k+'s "n1      
& seal x ) ! k+'s r+2 = ! writ+ :i* is  
writt5 9 ! k+'s "n1 & seal$ ) ! k+'s r+1
          may n be rev]s$ by any man4   
#jjh3jji ,!n ! k+'s scribes 7 call$ at t
 "t1 9 ! ?ird          mon? ,sivan1 on !
 tw5ty-?ird day ( ! mon?2          & x 0
 writt5 accord+ to all t ,mordecai      
comm&$          to ! ,jews1 & to !      
satraps1 & ! gov]nors &          pr9ces 
( ! prov9ces :i* are f ,india to        
,e?iopia1          "o hundr$ tw5ty-sev5 
prov9ces1 to e prov9ce accord+          
to its writ+1 & to e p 9 _! language1   
& to ! ,jews 9 _! writ+1 & 9 _!         
language4  #jjh3jaj ,he wrote 9 ! "n (  
,k+ ,ahasu]us1 & seal$ x )          !   
k+'s r+1 & s5t lett]s by c\ri] on       
horseback1          rid+ on royal horses

 t 7 bread f swift /e$s4  #jjh3jaa ,9 ^?
 lett]s1 ! k+ grant$ ! ,jews :o 7 9 e   
city to ga!r !mselves toge!r1 & to def5d
 _! life1          to de/roy1 to kill1 &
 to cause to p]i%1 all ! p[]          ( 
! p & prov9ce t w\ld assault !m1 _!     
little          ones & wom51 & to plund]
 _! possessions1  #jjh3jab on "o day 9  
all ! prov9ces ( ,k+ ,ahasu]us1 on !    
?irte5?          day ( ! twelf? mon?1   
:i* is ! mon? ,ad>4  #jjh3jac ,a copy ( 
! lett]1 t ! decree %\ld be giv5        
out 9 e prov9ce1 0 publi%$ to all !     
peoples1          t ! ,jews %\ld be     
ready = t day to av5ge !mselves         
on _! enemies4  #jjh3jad ,s ! c\ri]s :o 
rode on royal horses w5t out1           
ha/5$ & press$ on by ! k+'s comm&m5t4   
,! decree 0 giv5 out 9 ! citadel (      
,susa4  #jjh3jae ,mordecai w5t out ( !  
pres5ce ( ! k+ 9 royal          clo?+ ( 
blue & :ite1 & ) a great cr[n ( gold1   
& ) a robe ( f9e l95 & purple2 & ! city 
( ,susa          %\t$ & 0 glad4         
#jjh3jaf ,! ,jews _h light1 gladness1   

joy1 & honor4  #jjh3jag ,9 e prov9ce1 & 
9 e city1 :]ev] ! k+'s comm&m5t         
& 8 decree came1 ! ,jews _h gladness1   
joy1 a fea/1          & a good day4  ,_m
 f among ! peoples ( ! l&               
became ,jews2 = ! fe> ( ! ,jews 0 fall5 
on !m4  #jji3jja ,n[ 9 ! twelf? mon?1   
:i* is ! mon? ,ad>1          on !       
?irte5? day ( ! mon?1 :5 ! k+'s         
comm&m5t & 8 decree drew ne> to be put 9
 execution1          on ! day t !       
enemies ( ! ,jews hop$ to conqu] !m1    
7b x 0 turn$ out ! opposite happ5$1 t ! 
,jews          conqu]$ ^? :o hat$ !m71  
#jji3jjb ! ,jews ga!r$ !mselves toge!r 9
 _! cities ?r\gh\t          all !       
prov9ces ( ! ,k+ ,ahasu]us1 to lay h&s  
on          ^? :o want$ to h>m !m4  ,no 
"o c\ld )/& !m1          because ! fe> (
 !m _h fall5 on all ! p4  #jji3jjc ,all 
! pr9ces ( ! prov9ces1 ! satraps1 !     
gov]nors1          & ^? :o did ! k+'s   
bus9ess help$ ! ,jews1          because 
! fe> ( ,mordecai _h fall5 on !m4       
#jji3jjd ,= ,mordecai 0 great 9 ! k+'s  

h\se1 & 8 fame w5t          out ?r\gh\t 
all ! prov9ces2 = ! man ,mordecai grew  
great] & great]4  #jji3jje ,! ,jews     
/ruck all _! enemies ) ! /roke ( !      
sword1          & ) slaught] &          
de/ruction1 & did :at !y want$          
to ^? :o hat$ !m4  #jji3jjf ,9 ! citadel
 ( ,susa1 ! ,jews kill$ & de/roy$       
five hundr$ m54  #jji3jjg ,!y kill$     
,p>%&a?a1 ,dalphon1 ,aspa?a1  #jji3jjh  
,pora?a1 ,adalia1 ,arida?a1  #jji3jji   
,p>ma%ta1 ,arisai1 ,aridai1 & ,vaiza?a1 
#jji3jaj ! t5 sons ( ,haman ! son (     
,hamm$a?a1 ! ,jew's enemy1          b !y
 didn't lay _! h& on ! plund]4  #jji3jaa
 ,on t day1 ! numb] ( ^? :o 7 sla9 9 !  
citadel          ( ,susa 0 br\ght be=e !
 k+4  #jji3jab ,! k+ said to ,e/h] !    
que51 ,! ,jews h sla9          & de/roy$
 five hundr$ m5 9 ! citadel ( ,susa1    
includ+ ! t5 sons ( ,haman2 :at !n h !y 
done 9          ! re/ ( ! k+'s prov9ces6
  ,n[ :at is y\r petition8          ,x  
%all be grant$ y4  ,:at is y\r fur!r    
reque/8          ,x %all be done4       

#jji3jac ,!n ,e/h] said1 ,if x pleases !
 k+1 let x be grant$          to ! ,jews
 :o are 9 ,%u%an to d tomorr[ also      
accord+          to ?is day's decree1 & 
let ,haman's t5 sons be hang$           
on ! gall[s4  #jji3jad ,! k+ comm&$ ?is 
to be done4  ,a decree 0 giv5 out       
9 ,%u%an2 & !y hang$ ,haman's t5 sons4  
#jji3jae ,! ,jews :o 7 9 ,%u%an ga!r$   
!mselves toge!r          on ! f\rte5?   
day also ( ! mon? ,ad>1 & kill$         
?ree hundr$ m5 9 ,%u%an2 b !y didn't lay
 _! h&          on ! spoil4  #jji3jaf ,!
 o!r ,jews :o 7 9 ! k+'s prov9ces ga!r$ 
!mselves          toge!r1 def5d$ _!     
lives1 _h re/ f _! enemies1          &  
kill$ sev5ty-five ?\s& ( ^? :o hat$ !m2 
b !y didn't lay _! h& on ! plund]4      
#jji3jag ,?is 0 done on ! ?irte5? day ( 
! mon? ,ad>2          & on ! f\rte5? day
 ( t mon? !y re/$ & made          x a   
day ( fea/+ & gladness4  #jji3jah ,b !  
,jews :o 7 9 ,%u%an assembl$ toge!r on  
! ?irte5? & on ! f\rte5? days ( ! mon?2 
& on ! fifte5? day ( t mon?1 !y re/$1   

& made x a day ( fea/+ & gladness4      
#jji3jai ,!re=e ! ,jews ( ! villages1 :o
 live 9 ! unwall$ t[ns1          make ! 
f\rte5? day ( ! mon? ,ad> a day (       
gladness          & fea/+1 a good day1 &
 a day ( s5d+ pres5ts          ( food to
 "o ano!r4  #jji3jbj ,mordecai wrote ^! 
?+s1 & s5t lett]s to all ! ,jews        
:o 7 9 all ! prov9ces ( ! k+ ,ahasu]us1 
bo? ne> & f>1  #jji3jba to enjo9 !m t !y
 %\ld keep ! f\rte5? & fifte5?          
days ( ! mon? ,ad> ye>ly1  #jji3jbb z ! 
days 9 :i* ! ,jews _h re/ f _! enemies1 
& ! mon? :i* 0 turn$ to !m f sorr[ to   
gladness1          & f m\rn+ into a good
 day2 t !y %\ld make          !m days ( 
fea/+ & gladness1 & ( s5d+ pres5ts      
( food to "o ano!r1 & gifts to ! ne$y4  
#jji3jbc ,! ,jews accept$ ! cu/om t !y  
_h begun1 z ,mordecai          _h writt5
 to !m2  #jji3jbd because ,haman ! son (
 ,hamm$a?a1 ! ,agagite1 ! enemy         
( all ! ,jews1 _h plott$ aga9/ ! ,jews  
to de/roy !m1          & _h ca/ ,pur1 t 
is ! lot1 to consume !m1          & to  

de/roy !m2  #jji3jbe b :5 ?is became    
kn[n to ! k+1 he comm&$ by lett]s       
t 8 wick$ device1 :i* he _h devis$ aga9/
 ! ,jews1          %\ld return on 8 own 
head1 & t he & 8 sons          %\ld be  
hang$ on ! gall[s4  #jji3jbf ,!re=e !y  
call$ ^! days ,purim1,purim is ! ,hebrew
          plural = pur1 :i* means lot4 f
 ! ^w ,pur4          ,!re=e because (   
all ! words ( ?is lett]1          & ( t 
:i* !y _h se5 conc]n+ ?is matt]1        
& t :i* _h come to !m1  #jji3jbg ! ,jews
 e/abli%$1 & impos$ on !mselves1 & on   
_! desc5dants1 & on all ^? :o jo9$      
!mselves          to !m1 s t x %\ld n   
fail1 t !y w\ld keep          ^! two    
days accord+ to :at 0 writt51 & accord+ 
to its appo9t$ "t1 e ye>2  #jji3jbh & t 
^! days %\ld be rememb]$ & kept ?r\gh\t 
e g5]ation1 e family1 e prov9ce1 & e    
city2          & t ^! days ( ,purim %\ld
 n fail f among ! ,jews1          nor ! 
memory ( !m p]i% f _! se$4  #jji3jbi ,!n
 ,e/h] ! que51 ! daught] ( ,abihail1 &  
,mordecai          ! ,jew1 wrote ) all  

au?ority to confirm ?is second          
lett] ( ,purim4  #jji3jcj ,he s5t lett]s
 to all ! ,jews1 to ! hundr$ tw5ty-sev5 
prov9ces ( ! k+dom ( ,ahasu]us1 ) words 
(          peace & tru?1  #jji3jca to   
confirm ^! days ( ,purim 9 _! appo9t$   
times1          z ,mordecai ! ,jew &    
,e/h] ! que5 _h decre$1          & z !y 
_h impos$ ^u !mselves & _! desc5dants1  
9 ! matt] ( ! fa/+s & _! cry4  #jji3jcb 
,! comm&m5t ( ,e/h] confirm$ ^! matt]s (
 ,purim2          & x 0 writt5 9 ! book4
  #jaj3jja ,k+ ,ahasu]us laid a tribute 
on ! l&1 & on ! isl&s          ( ! sea4 
#jaj3jjb ,all ! acts ( 8 p[] & ( 8      
might1 & ! full acc\nt          ( !     
greatness ( ,mordecai1 to :i* ! k+      
advanc$ him1          ar5't !y writt5 9 
! book ( ! *ronicles ( ! k+s          ( 
,m$ia & ,p]sia8  #jaj3jjc ,= ,mordecai !
 ,jew 0 next to ,k+ ,ahasu]us1 & great  
among          ! ,jews1 & accept$ by !  
multitude ( 8 bro!rs1          seek+ !  
good ( 8 p1 & speak+ peace to           
all 8 desc5dants4