40
Her dishonor now grew as great as her glory; her exaltation was turned into mourning.
41
Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
42
and that all should give up their particular customs.
43
All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.
44
And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.