Reformation Directory

1 After the death of Hamán was Mordecái exalted. 14 Comfortable letters are sent unto the Jews.

1.The same day did King Ahashuerósh give the house of Hamán the adversary of the Jews unto the Queen Estér. And Mordecái ^acame before the King: for Estér told what he was ^bunto her.

2.And the King took off his ring, which he had taken from Hamán, and gave it unto Mordecái: and Estér set Mordecái over the house of Hamán.

3.And Estér spake yet more before the King, and fell down at his feet weeping, and besought him that he would put away the ^cwickedness of Hamán the Agagite, and his devise that he had imagined against the Jews.

4.And the King held out the golden ^dscepter toward Estér. Then arose Estér, and stood before the King,

5.And said, If it please the King, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing be acceptable before the King, and I please him, let it be written, that the letters of the devise of Hamán the son of Ammedátha the Agagite may be called again, which he wrote to destroy the Jews, that are in all the King’s provinces.

6.For how can I suffer and see the evil, that shal come unto my people? Or how can I suffer & see the destruction of my kindred?

7.And the King Ahashuerósh said unto the Queen Estér, and to Mordecái the Jew, Behold, I have given Estér the house of Hamán, whom they have hanged upon the tre, because he ^layed hand upon the Jews.

8.Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you in the King’s name, and seal it with the King’s ring, (for the writings written in the King’s name, & sealed with the King’s ring, may no ^eman revoke)

9.Then were the King’s scribes called at the same time, even in the third month, that is the month ^fSiván, on the three and twentieth day thereof: and it was written, according to all as Mordecái commanded unto the Jews and to the provinces, and captains, and rulers of the princes, which were from India even unto Ethiopia, an hundreth and seven and twenty provinces, unto every province, according to the ^gwriting thereof, and to every people after their speech, and to the Jews, according to their writing, and according to their language.

10.And he wrote in the King Ahashuerósh name, and sealed it with the King’s ring: & he sent letters by posts on horseback and that rode on beasts of price, as dromedaries and ^colts of mares.

11.Wherein the King granted the Jews (in what cities soever they were) to gather them selves together, and to stand for ^htheir life, and to root out, to slay and to destroy all the power of the people and of the province that vexed them, both children and women, and to spoil their goods:

12.Upon one day in all the provinces of King Ahashuerósh, even in the thirtent day of the twelft month, which is the month ⁱAdár

13.The copy of the writing was, how there should be a commandment given in all and every province, published among all the people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to ^kavenge them selves on their enemies.

14.So the posts rode upon beasts of price, and dromedaries, and went forth with speed, to execute the King’s commandment, and the decree was given at Shushán the palace.

15.And Mordecái went out from the King in royal apparel of blue, and white, & with a great crown of gold, & with a garment of fine linen and purple, and the city of Shushán rejoiced and was glad.

16.And unto the Jews was come light and ^ljoy and gladness, and honour.

17.Also in all and every province, and in all and every city and place, where the King’s commandment and his decree came, there was joy and gladness to the Jews, a feast and good day, and many of the people of the land ^mbecame Jews: for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Esther 8

Notes