International 1 1 ESTHER

Chapter 1 8 And the drinking was according The King’s Banquet to the law. The drinking was not com- 1 ¶ Now it came to pass in the days pulsory, for the king had appointed of aAhasuerus, the who to all the officers of his house that reigned bover 127 provinces cfrom they should do according to every India to Ethiopia, man’s desires. 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus 9 the queen also made a feast dsat on the throne of his kingdom that for the women in the royal house that was in eShushan the palace, belonged to King Ahasuerus. 3 in the third year of his reign, that he fmade a feast for all his princes Queen Vashti Deposed and his servants, the powers of Per- 10 ¶ On the seventh day, when the sia and Media, the nobles and princes heart of the king was merry with of the provinces being before him, wine, he commanded Mehuman, 4 when he showed the generosity of Biztha, iHarbona, Bigtha and Abag- his glorious kingdom and the honor tha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven of his excellent majesty for many chamberlains who served in the pres- days, 180 days. ence of Ahasuerus the king, 5 And when these days were com- 11 to bring Vashti the queen before pleted, the king made a feast for the king with the royal crown in or- seven days for all the people who der to show the people and the were present in Shushan the palace, princes her beauty, for she was beau- both for the great and small, in the tiful to look on. court of the garden of the king’s pal- 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come ace. at the king’s command by his cham- 6 There were white, green and blue berlains. Therefore the king was very curtains fastened with cords of fine angry, and his anger burned in him. linen and purple to silver rings and 13 ¶ Then the king said to the jwise pillars of marble. The gcouches were men kwho knew the times, for so was of gold and silver on a pavement of the king’s manner toward all who red and blue and white and black knew law and judgment marble. 14 and were next to him: Carshena, 7 And they gave them drink in ves- Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, sels of gold of various kinds, and Marsena and Memucan, the lseven royal wine in abundance haccording princes of Persia and Media, mwho to the generosity of the king. saw the king’s face and who sat in

Chapter 1: a Er 4:6 b Et 8:9 c Dn 6:1 d 1 Kg 1:46 e Ne 1:1 f Gn 40:20 g Am 2:8; 6:4 h Et 2:18 i Et 7:9 j Dn 2:12 k 1 Ch 12:32______l Er 7:14 m 2 Kg 25:19 Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 2 first place in the kingdom: king’s provinces, qto each province 15 “What will we do to Queen Vashti according to its script and to every according to law, because she has not people according to their language, performed the command of King that every man should rbe master in Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?” his own house, and should speak ac- 16 Then Memucan answered be- cording to the language of his people. fore the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to the Chapter 2 king only, but also to all the princes Esther Made Queen and to all the people who are in all 1 ¶ After these things, when the wrath the provinces of King Ahasuerus. of King Ahasuerus was appeased, he 17 “For this deed of the queen will remembered Vashti and awhat she go abroad to all women so that they had done, and what was decreed will ndespise their husbands in their against her. eyes when it will be reported, ‘King 2 Then the king’s servants who min- Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the istered to him, said, “Let beautiful queen to be brought in before him, young virgins be sought for the king. but she did not come.’ 3 “And let the king appoint officers 18 “Likewise will the ladies of Per- in all the provinces of his kingdom sia and Media say this day to all the so that they may gather together all king’s princes who have heard of the the beautiful young virgins to deed of the queen. Thus will there Shushan the palace, to the house of arise much contempt and anger. the women, to the custody of Hegai 19 “If it please the king, let there go the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the out a royal command from him, and women. And let cosmetics be given let it be written among the laws of them. the Persians and the Medes so that it 4 “And let the maiden who pleases onot be altered, that Vashti come no the king be queen instead of Vashti.” more before King Ahasuerus. And let And the thing pleased the king, and the king give her royal estate to an- so he did. other who is better than she. 5 ¶ Now in Shushan the palace there 20 “And when the king’s decree that was a certain Jew whose name was he will make is published through- , the son of Jair, the son of out all his empire, for it is great, all Shimei, the son of bKish, a Ben- the wives will give to their husbands jamite, phonor, both to great and small.” 6 cwho had been carried away from 21 And the saying pleased the king Jerusalem with the captivity, who had and the princes. So the king did ac- been carried away with Jeconiah king cording to the word of Memucan. of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the 22 So he sent letters into all the king of Babylon had carried away. n Ep 5:33 o Et 8:8 p Cl 3:18 q Et 3:12; 8:9 r Ep 5:22-24 Chapter 2: a Et 1:19,20 b 1 Sm 9:1 c 2 Kg 24:14,15 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 3 Esther 2 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that to the king. Whatever she desired was is, Esther, dhis uncle’s daughter, for given her to go with her out of the she had neither father nor mother. house of the women to the king’s And the young lady was fair and house. beautiful. And when her father and 14 In the evening she went, and on her mother died, Mordecai took her the next day she returned into the as his own daughter. second house of the women, to the 8 ¶ So it came to pass when the king’s custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s command and his decree was heard, chamberlain who kept the concu- and when many young women were bines. She came in to the king no egathered together to Shushan the more, unless the king delighted in her palace, to the custody of Hegai, that and that she was called by name. Esther was brought also to the king’s 15 ¶ Now when the turn of Esther, house, to the custody of Hegai, hthe daughter of Abihail the uncle of keeper of the women. Mordecai, who had taken her for his 9 And the young woman pleased daughter, had come to go in to the him. And she obtained kindness from king, she required nothing but what him. And he quickly fgave her cos- Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the metics, besides her allowance. Then keeper of the women, appointed. And seven maidens were provided for her Esther iobtained favor in the sight of out of the king’s house. And he trans- all those who looked on her. ferred her and her maidens to the best 16 So Esther was taken to King place in the house of the women. Ahasuerus into his royal house in the 10 gEsther had not revealed her pe- tenth month, that is the month Tebeth, ople nor her kindred, for Mordecai in the seventh year of his reign. had commanded her that she should 17 And the king loved Esther above not reveal it. all the women. And she obtained 11 And Mordecai walked every day grace and favor in his sight, more before the court of the women’s than all the virgins, so that he set the house, to know how Esther did and jroyal crown on her head and made what was happening to her. her queen instead of Vashti. 12 ¶ Now when every young wo- 18 Then the king kmade a great feast man’s turn came to go in to King for all his princes and his servants, Ahasuerus, after she had completed even Esther’s feast. And he made a twelve months’ preparation, for the holiday for the provinces and gave days of their purification were com- gifts according to the generosity of pleted as follows: six months with oil the king. of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women, Mordecai’s Loyalty 13 then every young woman came 19 ¶ And when the virgins were gath- d Et 2:15 e Et 2:3 f Et 2:3,12 g Et 2:20 h Et 2:7; 9:29 i Et 5:2,8 j Et 1:11 k Et 1:3 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 4 ered together the second time, then command?” Mordecai sat at the king’s gate. 4 Now it came to pass when they 20 Esther had not yet revealed her spoke daily to him, and he did not kindred nor her people, as Mordecai hearken to them, that they told had commanded her, for Esther fol- in order to see whether lowed the command of Mordecai as Mordecai’s words would stand, for when she was brought up with him. he had told them that he was a Jew. 21 ¶ lIn those days, while Mordecai 5 So when Haman saw that Mor- sat at the king’s gate, two of the king’s decai fdid not bow, nor give homage, chamberlains, , of then Haman was gfull of wrath. those who kept the door, were angry. 6 But he scorned the idea of laying And they sought to lay hands on King hands on Mordecai alone, for they Ahasuerus. had shown him the people of 22 Now the thing was known to Mordecai. Therefore, Haman hsought Mordecai, mwho told it to Esther the to destroy all the Jews who were queen. And Esther informed the king throughout the whole kingdom of in Mordecai’s name. Ahasuerus, even the people of Mor- 23 And when an inquiry was made decai. of the matter, it was found to be true. 7 ¶ In the first month, that is, the Therefore, they were both hanged on month Nisan, in the twelfth year of a tree. And it was written in the nbook King Ahasuerus, ithey cast Pur, that of the chronicles before the king. is the lot, before Haman to select a month. And the lot fell on the twelfth Chapter 3 month, that is the month Adar. Plot to Destroy the Jews 8 ¶ And Haman said to King Ahasu- 1 ¶ After these things King Ahasu- erus, “There is a certain people scat- erus promoted Haman the son of tered abroad and dispersed among Hammedatha the aAgagite, and the people in all the provinces of your badvanced him. And he set his seat kingdom. And jtheir laws are differ- above all the princes who were with ent from all people, neither do they him. keep the king’s laws. Therefore, it is 2 Then all the king’s servants who not fitting for the king to allow them were cat the king’s gate bowed and to remain. paid homage to Haman, for the king 9 “If it please the king, let it be writ- had so commanded concerning him. ten that they be destroyed, and I will dBut Mordecai did not bow, nor pay pay 10,000 talents of silver to the homage. hands of those who carry out the 3 Then the king’s servants who were king’s business, to bring it into the at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, king’s treasuries.” “Why do you transgress the eking’s 10 And the king ktook his lring from l Et 2:10 m Et 6:1,2 n Et 6:1 Chapter 3: a Nm 24:7 b Et 5:11 c Et 2:19,21; 5:9 d Ps 15:4 e Et 3:2 f Et 3:2; 5:9 g Dn 3:19 h Ps 83:4 i Et 9:24-26 j At 16:20,21 k Gn 41:42 l Et 8:2,8 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 5 his hand and gave it to Haman the that was done, he atore his clothes and son of Hammedatha the , the put on sackcloth with bashes. And he mJews’ enemy. went out into the middle of the city 11 And the king said to Haman, “The and ccried out with a loud and bitter silver is given to you, the people also, cry. to do with them as you please.” 2 Then he came before the king’s 12 ¶ nThen the king’s scribes were gate, for no one was to enter into the called on the thirteenth day of the first king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. month. And it was written according 3 And in every province where the to all that Haman had commanded king’s command and decree came, the king’s lieutenants and the gover- there was great mourning among the nors who were over every province, Jews, and fasting and weeping and and the rulers of every people of ev- wailing. And many lay in sackcloth ery province oaccording to its script, and ashes. and to every people after their lan- 4 ¶ So Esther’s maidens and her as- guage. pIn the name of King sistants came and told her. Then the Ahasuerus it was written and sealed queen was exceedingly grieved. And with the king’s ring. she sent garments to clothe Mordecai 13 Then the letters were qsent by cou- and to take away his sackcloth from riers to all the king’s provinces, to him. But he did not accept them. destroy, to kill and to cause to perish 5 Then Esther called for Hatach, one all Jews, both young and old, little of the king’s assistants whom he had children and women, rin one day, on appointed to attend to her. And she the thirteenth day of the twelfth gave him a command concerning month, that is the month Adar, and Mordecai, to know what it was, and to seize their spossessions as plunder. why it was. 14 tThe copy of the edict to be is- 6 So Hatach went out to Mordecai sued as law in every province was to the street of the city that was be- published to all people so that they fore the king’s gate. should be ready for this day. 7 Then Mordecai told him of all that 15 The couriers went out, being has- had happened to him, and of the dsum tened by the king’s command. And of the money that Haman had prom- the edict was given in Shushan the ised to pay to the king’s treasuries palace. And the king and Haman sat for the Jews in order to destroy them. down to drink, but the ucity of 8 Also he gave him a ecopy of the Shushan was bewildered. text of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, in order to Chapter 4 show it to Esther, and explain it to Esther Acts for the Jews her, and to command her that she 1 ¶ When Mordecai perceived all should go in to the king in order to m Et 7:6 n Et 8:9 o Et 1:22 p Et 8:8-10 q Et 8:10,14 r Et 8:12 s Et 8:11; 9:10 t Et 8:13,14 u Et 8;15 Chapter 4: a 2 Sm 1:11 b Ja 7:6 c Gn 27:34 d Et 3:9 e Et 3:14,15 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 6 implore him and to plead with him perish.” for her people. 17 So Mordecai went his way and 9 And Hatach came and told Esther did according to all that Esther had the words of Mordecai. commanded him. 10 ¶ Again Esther spoke to Hatach and gave him a command for Mor- Chapter 5 decai: Esther’s Petition to the King 11 “All the king’s servants and the 1 ¶ Now it came to pass aon the third people of the king’s provinces know day that Esther put on her royal ap- that whoever, whether man or parel and stood in the binner court of woman, would come to the king into the king’s palace across from the the finner court, who is not called, king’s house. And the king sat on his there is gone law of his to put him to royal throne in the royal house, across death, except such hto whom the king from the gate of the house. will hold out the golden sceptre so 2 Then it was so that when the king that he may live. But I have not been saw Esther the queen standing in the icalled to come in to the king these court, she cobtained favor in his sight. thirty days.” And the dking held out to Esther the 12 And they told Mordecai Esther’s golden sceptre that was in his hand. words. So Esther drew near and touched the 13 ¶ Then Mordecai commanded to top of the sceptre. answer Esther, “Do not think that you 3 Then the king said to her, “What will escape in the king’s house more is troubling you, Queen Esther? And than all the Jews. what is your request? eIt will be given 14 “For if you hold your peace at to you to half of the kingdom.” this time, then relief and deliverance 4 Then Esther answered, “If it will arise for the Jews from another pleases the king, let the king and place and you and your father’s house Haman come this day to the banquet will perish. And who knows whether that I have prepared for him.” you have come to the kingdom for 5 Then the king said, “Cause Haman such a time as this?” to make haste so that he may do as 15 Then Esther told them to return Esther has said.” So the king and to Mordecai this answer, Haman came to the banquet that 16 “Go. Gather together all the Jews Esther had prepared. who are present in Shushan, and fast 6 ¶ And the fking said to Esther at the for me. And do not eat or drink Jthree banquet of wine, g“What is your peti- days, night or day. I also and my tion? And it will be granted to you. maidens will fast likewise, and so I And what is your request? Even to half will go in to the king that is not ac- of the kingdom it will be done.” cording to the law. And kif I perish, I 7 Then Esther answered and said, f Et 5:1; 6:4 g Dn 2:9 h Et 5:2; 8:4 i Et 2:14 j Et 5:1 k Gn 43:14 Chapter 5: a Et 4:16 b Et 4:11; 6:4 c Pv 21:1 d Et 4:11; 8:4 e Mk 6:23 f Et 7:2 g Et 9:12 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 7 “My petition and my request is: go in merrily with the king to the 8 “If I have found favor in the sight banquet.” And the thing pleased of the king, and if it pleases the king Haman, and he had the pgallows to grant my petition and to do what I made. request, let the king and Haman come to the hbanquet that I will prepare for Chapter 6 them, and I will do tomorrow as the Mordecai is Honored king has said.” 1 ¶ On that night the king could not sleep. And he commanded to bring Haman’s Rage the abook of records of the chronicles. 9 ¶ Then Haman went out that day And they were read before the king. ijoyful and with a glad heart. But 2 And it was found written that when Haman saw Mordecai at the Mordecai had told of Bigthana and king’s gate, jthat he did not stand up Teresh, two of the king’s chamber- or tremble before him, he was full of lains, the keepers of the door, who indignation against Mordecai. sought to lay hands on King Ahasu- 10 Nevertheless, Haman kcontrolled erus. himself. And when he came home he 3 And the king said, “What honor sent and called for his friends, and and dignity has been bestowed on his wife. Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s 11 And Haman told them of the glory servants who ministered to him, said, of his riches and the lmultitude of his “Nothing has been done for him.” children, and all the things wherein 4 ¶ Then the king said, “Who is in the king had promoted him, and how the court?” Now Haman had come he had madvanced him above the into the bouter court of the king’s princes and servants of the king. house in order cto speak to the king 12 Haman also said, “Yes, Esther to hang Mordecai on the gallows that the queen did not let any man come he had prepared for him. in with the king to the banquet that 5 And the king’s servants said to him, she had prepared but myself. And to- “Behold, Haman stands in the court.” morrow I am invited to her also with And the king said, “Allow him to the king. come in.” 13 “Yet all this has availed me noth- 6 So Haman came in. And the king ing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew said to him, “What will be done to sitting at the king’s gate.” the man whom the king desires to 14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his honor?” Now Haman thought in his friends said to him, “Let a ngallows heart, “To whom would the king de- be made fifty cubits high, and tomor- light to do honor more than to dme?” row ospeak to the king so that 7 So Haman answered the king, “For Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then the man whom the king desires to h Et 6:14 i Jb 20:5 j Et 3:5 k 2 Sm 13:22 l Et 9:7-10 m Et 3:1 n Et 7:9 o Et 6:4 p Et 7:10 Chapter 6: a Et 2:23; 10:2 b Et 5:1 c Et 5:14 d Pv 16:18; 18:12 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 8 honor, 14 And while they were still talking 8 “let the royal apparel be brought with him, the king’s assistants came that the king uses to wear, and the and quickly brought Haman to the ehorse that the king rides upon, and jbanquet that Esther had prepared. the royal crown that is set upon his head. Chapter 7 9 “And let this apparel and horse be Haman is Hanged delivered to the hand of one of the 1 ¶ So the king and Haman came to king’s most noble princes so that they the banquet with Esther the queen. may array the man whom the king 2 And the king said again to Esther desires to honor. And bring him on on the second day aat the banquet of horseback through the street of the wine, “What is your petition, Queen city and fproclaim before him, ‘Thus Esther? And it will be granted to you. will it be done to the man whom the And what is your request? And it will king desires to honor.’” be performed, even to half of the 10 Then the king said to Haman, kingdom.” “Make haste and take the apparel and 3 Then Esther the queen answered the horse as you have said, and do so and said, “If I have found favor in your to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, king’s gate. Let nothing fail of all that let my life be given to me as my peti- you have spoken.” tion, and my people as my request, 11 Then Haman took the apparel and 4 “for we are bsold, I and my people the horse and adorned Mordecai. to be destroyed, to be slain and to be And he brought him on horseback annihilated. But if we had been sold through the street of the city. And he for cbondmen and bondwomen, I proclaimed before him, “Thus will it would have held my tongue, although be done to the man whom the king the enemy could never compensate desires to honor.” for the king’s damage.” 12 ¶ Then Mordecai came again to 5 ¶ Then King Ahasuerus answered the king’s gate. But Haman gquickly and said to Esther the queen, “Who went to his house mourning, and is he, and where is he, who presumes hhaving his head covered. in his heart to do such a thing?” 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife 6 And Esther said, “The adversary and all his friends every thing that and denemy is this wicked Haman.” had happened to him. Then his wise Then Haman was terrified before the men and Zeresh his wife said to him, king and the queen. “If Mordecai is of the seed of the 7 ¶ Then the king, arising from the Jews, before whom you have begun banquet of wine in his wrath, went to fall, you will not prevail iagainst into the palace garden. And Haman him, but will surely fall before him.” stood up to beg for his life from e 1 Kg 1:33 f Gn 41:43 g 2 Ch 26:20 h 2 Sm 15:30 i Zc 2:8 j Et 5:8 Chapter 7: a Et 5:6 b Et 3:9; 4:7 c Dt 28:68 d Et 3:10 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 9 Esther the queen, for he saw that 4 Then dthe king held out the golden there was harm determined against sceptre toward Esther. So Esther him by the king. arose and stood before the king. 8 Then the king returned from the 5 And she said, “If it please the king, palace garden to the place of the ban- and if I have found favor in his sight, quet of wine. And Haman had fallen and the thing seem right before the on the ecouch whereon Esther was. king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, Then the king said, “Will he force the let it be written to reverse the eletters queen also before me in the house?” devised by Haman the son of As the word went out of the king’s Hammedatha the Agagite, that he mouth, they fcovered Haman’s face. wrote to destroy the Jews who are in 9 And gHarbonah, one of the assis- all the king’s provinces. tants said before the king, “Behold 6 “For how can I endure to see the also, the hgallows fifty cubits high that fharm that will come to my people? Haman had made for Mordecai, who Or how can I endure to see the de- had spoken igood for the king, stands struction of my kindred?” at the house of Haman.” Then the 7 ¶ Then King Ahasuerus said to king said, “Hang him on it.” Esther the queen and to Mordecai the 10 So jthey khanged Haman on the Jew, “Behold, gI have given Esther gallows that he had prepared for the house of Haman, and him they Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath was have hanged on the gallows because pacified. he laid his hand on the Jews. 8 “Write also for the Jews as you Chapter 8 see fit, in the king’s name and seal it King’s Edict for the Jews with the king’s ring. For the writing 1 ¶ On that day King Ahasuerus gave that is written in the king’s name and the house of Haman the aJews’ en- sealed with the king’s ring hmay not emy to Esther the queen. And be reversed.” Mordecai came before the king, for 9 ¶ iThen the king’s scribes were Esther had told bwhat he was to her. called at that time in the third month, 2 Then the king took off his cring that is the month Sivan, on the that he had taken from Haman and twenty-third day. And it was written gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set according to all that Mordecai com- Mordecai over the house of Haman. manded to the Jews and to the lieu- 3 ¶ Then Esther spoke again before tenants and the deputies and rulers the king, and fell down at his feet. of the provinces that are from jIndia And she implored him with tears to to Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to every put away the mischief of Haman the province according kto its writing, Agagite, and his scheme that he had and to every people according to devised against the Jews. their language, and to the Jews ac- e Et 1:6 f Jb 9:24 g Et 1:10 h Et 5:14 i Et 6:2 j Ps 7:16; 94:23 k Dn 6:24 Chapter 8: a Et 7:6 b Et 2:7,15 c Et 3:10 d Et 4:11; 5:2 e Et 3:13 f Ne 2:3 g Pv 13:22 h Dn 6:8,12,15 i Et 3:12 j Et 1:1 k Et 1:22; 3:12 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 10 cording to their script and according every city, wherever the king’s com- to their language. mand and his decree came, the Jews 10 lAnd he wrote in King Ahasuerus’ had joy and gladness, a feast and a name and sealed it with the king’s sholiday. And many of the people of ring. And he sent letters by couriers the land tbecame Jews, for the ufear on horseback, and riders on royal of the Jews fell on them. horses bred from swift steeds. 11 In them the king granted the Jews Chapter 9 who were in every city to mgather Victory for the Jews themselves together and to stand for 1 ¶ Now ain the twelfth month, that their lives, to destroy, to slay and to is the month Adar, on the thirteenth cause to nperish all the power of the day bwhen the king’s command and people and province who would as- his decree drew near to be put into sault them, both little ones and execution, in the day that the enemies women, and to plunder their spoil, of the Jews hoped to have power over 12 oon one day in all the provinces them, though it was turned to the of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth contrary that the Jews chad rule over day of the twelfth month, that is the them who hated them, month Adar. 2 the Jews dgathered themselves to- 13 pA copy of the document was is- gether in their cities throughout all sued as law in each and every prov- the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to ince and was published to all the lay hands on those who esought their people that the Jews should be ready harm. And no man could withstand against that day to avenge themselves them, ffor the fear of them fell on all on their enemies. people. 14 So the couriers who rode on royal 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, horses went out, being hastened and and the lieutenants and the deputies pressed on by the king’s command. and officers of the king, helped the And the decree was issued at Jews, because the fear of Mordecai Shushan the palace. fell on them. 15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the 4 For Mordecai was great in the presence of the king in royal apparel king’s house, and his fame went of blue and white, and with a great throughout all the provinces. For this crown of gold, and with a garment of man Mordecai gbecame greater and fine linen and purple. And the qcity of greater. Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 5 Thus the Jews smote all their en- 16 The Jews had rlight and gladness emies with the stroke of the sword, and joy and honor. with slaughter and destruction, and 17 And in every province, and in did what they desired to those who l 1 Kg 21:8 m Et 9:2 n Et 9:10,15,16 o Et 3:13; 9:1 p Et 3:14,15 q Pv 29:2 r Ps 97:11; 112:4 s Et 9:19 t Ps 18:43 u Gn 35:5 Chapter 9: a Et 8:12 b Et 3:13 c 2 Sm 22:41 d Et 8:11; 9:15-18 e Ps 71:13,14 f Et 8:17 g 2 Sm 3:1 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 11 Esther 9 hated them. hand on the plunder. 6 And in hShushan the palace the 16 ¶ But the other Jews who were in Jews slew and destroyed 500 men, the king’s provinces pgathered them- 7 and Parshandatha and Dalphon and selves together and stood for their Aspatha lives. And they had rest from their 8 and Poratha and Adalia and Ari- enemies, and slew 75,000 of their datha foes. qBut they did not lay their hand 9 and Parmashta and Arisai and Ari- on the plunder. dai and Vajezatha, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month 10 ithe ten sons of Haman the son of Adar; and on the fourteenth day of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. the same they rested. And they made Them they slew. jBut they did not lay it a day of feasting and rejoicing. their hand on the plunder. 11 ¶ On that day the number of those The First who were slain in Shushan the pal- 18 ¶ But the Jews who were at Shu- ace was brought before the king. shan assembled together ron the thir- 12 And the king said to Esther the teenth day, and on the fourteenth of queen, “The Jews have slain and de- the same month. And they rested on stroyed 500 men in Shushan the pal- the fifteenth day and made it a day ace, and the ten sons of Haman. What of feasting and rejoicing. have they done in the rest of the 19 Therefore, the Jews of the vil- king’s provinces? kNow what is your lages who dwelt in the unwalled petition? It will be granted to you. towns, made the fourteenth day of the Or what is your further request? And month Adar a day of srejoicing and it will be done.” feasting, and a tholiday of usending 13 Then Esther said, “If it pleases presents to one another. the king, let it be granted to the Jews 20 ¶ And Mordecai wrote these that are in Shushan to do tomorrow things and sent letters to all the Jews also laccording to this day’s decree, who were in all the provinces of King and let Haman’s ten sons mbe hanged Ahasuerus, both near and far, on the gallows.” 21 obliging this holiday among them 14 And the king commanded it to be so that they should annually keep the done. And the decree was given at fourteenth day of the month Adar, Shushan and they hanged Haman’s and the fifteenth day of the same, ten sons. 22 as the days in which the Jews 15 ¶ For the Jews who were in rested from their enemies, and the Shushan ngathered themselves to- month that was turned to them from gether on the fourteenth day, also of sorrow to joy, and from mourning the month Adar, and slew 300 men into a good day, so that they should at Shushan. oBut they did not lay their make them days of feasting and joy, h Et 1:2; 3:15; 4:16 i Et 5:11; 9:7-10 j Et 8:11 k Et 5:6; 7:2 l Et 8:11; 9:15 m 2 Sm 21:6,9 n Et 8:11; 9:2 o Et 9:10 p Et 9:2 q Et 8:11 r Et 9:11,15 s Dt 16:11,14 t Et 8:16,17 u Ne 8:10,12; 9:22 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org International King James Version Old Testament 12 and of vsending presents to one an- of them perish from their seed. other and gifts to the wpoor. 29 ¶ Then Esther the queen, cthe 23 And the Jews undertook to do daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai what they started and as Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to had written to them. confirm this dsecond letter of Purim. 24 For Haman the son of Hamme- 30 And he sent the letters to all the datha, the Agagite, the enemy of all Jews, to the e127 provinces of the the Jews, had xschemed against the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words Jews to destroy them. And he had cast of peace and truth, Pur, that is the lot, to consume them 31 to confirm these days of Purim and to destroy them. in their appointed times, according 25 But ywhen Esther came before as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the the king, he commanded by letters queen had established them, and as that his wicked scheme that he de- they had decreed for themselves and vised against the Jews should zreturn for their seed, the matters of the on his own head, and that he and his ffastings and their lamenting. sons should be hanged on the gal- 32 And the decree of Esther con- lows. firmed these matters of Purim, and it 26 ¶ Therefore, they called these days was written in the book. Purim after the name of Pur. And be- cause of all the words of athis letter, Chapter 10 and of that which they had seen con- Greatness of Mordecai cerning this matter and what had 1 ¶ Then King Ahasuerus laid a trib- come to them, ute on the land and upon the aislands 27 the Jews ordained and took on of the sea. them and on their seed, and on all 2 And all the acts of his power and those who bjoined themselves to of his might, and the declaration of them, so that they should not fail, that the greatness of Mordecai bto which they would keep these two days ac- the king advanced him, are they not cording to their writing and accord- written in the book of the cchronicles ing to their appointed time every of the kings of Media and Persia? year. 3 For Mordecai the Jew was dnext 28 And these days were to be re- to King Ahasuerus, and great among membered and kept throughout ev- the Jews. And he was accepted by ery generation, every family, every the multitude of his brethren, eseeking province and every city. And these the wealth of his people and speak- days of Purim should not fail from ing peace to all his seed. among the Jews, nor the memorial v Ne 8:10 w Dt 15:7-11 x Et 3:6,7; 9:26 y Et 7:4-10; 8:3; 9:13,14 z Et 7:10 a Et 9:20 b Et 8:17 c Et 2:15 d Et 8:10; 9:20,21 e Et 1:1 f Et 4:3,16 Chapter 10: a Gn 10:5; Ps 72:10; Is 11:11; 24:15 b Et 8:15; 9:4 c Et 6:1 d Gn 41:40,43,44; 2 Ch 28:7 e Ne 2:10; Ps 122:8,9 ______Africa International Missions www.africainternational.org