Addition E
1 Artaxerxes’ second decree
1 Written below is a copy of the letter: The Great King Artaxerxes writes to the governors in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to those who are loyal to us. Greetings!
2
Many people who are greatly honored, owing to the immense generosity of their benefactors, become overly ambitious.
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Not only do they seek to harm our subjects, but they even attempt to scheme against their own benefactors since they are unable to manage their pride.
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Not only do they fail to exhibit gratitude among people, but encouraged by the boasts of people who know nothing of goodness, they even suppose they will escape the judgment of the God who sees all.
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Often, many people in positions of authority become accessories to the shedding of innocent blood because of the influence of friends they trusted to manage their affairs. They suffer terrible misfortunes
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as a result of the cruel lies of those who take advantage of the innocent goodwill of rulers.
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Now this can be seen, not so much from older accounts that we have inherited but from what is right before your eyes. Consider the ungodly things that have been done as a result of the corruption of those not worthy to hold power.
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But looking to the future, we will make the kingdom peaceful and secure for all people,
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adopting changes and settling those matters that come to our attention with a fair reply.
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As for Haman, Hammedatha's son, a Macedonian, he was not Persian, and was far removed from us in kindness. Yet we warmly welcomed him.
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He gained the goodwill that we have for every nation to such an extent that he was publicly proclaimed our father. All worshipped him as the person second only to the royal throne.
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But when he could no longer hold his pride in check, he made it his business to rob us of our leadership and our life.
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With lies and tricks he called for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, and Esther, our innocent partner in the kingdom, together with their whole nation.
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He thought that, by these methods, he could render us helpless and turn the Persian Empire over to the Macedonians.
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But we find that the Jews, whom this accursed man wanted to destroy, are not criminals but are governed by just laws.
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They are children of the most high, most great, living God, who has guided the kingdom on the best course for us and for our ancestors.
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You would do well, therefore, not to act on the letters sent by Haman, Hammedatha's son.
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Haman, who devised these things, has been impaled at the gates of Susa together with his entire household. The God who holds power over all things swiftly passed this fair judgment on him.
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And you should publish a copy of this letter in every place for all to see, to allow the Jews to live by their own customs,
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and to assist them so that they can defend themselves against their attackers in the time of distress, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.
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God, who rules over all things, has made this a joyous day for his chosen line rather than one of destruction.
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As for you, celebrate it with feasting
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as a special holiday among your festivals so that it will be for us, and for all Persians of goodwill, a memorial of deliverance, both now and in the future. But for those who plot against us, it will be a memorial of destruction.
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Any city or region, without exception, that does not act accordingly will be completely destroyed by fire and spear. This city will be made uninhabitable not only to humans but also to wild animals and birds for all time.