22
Then the king's anger was turned to pity and tears because of the things that he had devised beforehand.
23
For when he heard the shouting and saw them all fallen headlong to destruction, he wept and angrily threatened his friends, saying,
24
"You are committing treason and surpassing tyrants in cruelty; and even me, your benefactor, you are now attempting to deprive of dominion and life by secretly devising acts of no advantage to the kingdom.
25
Who is it that has taken each man from his home and senselessly gathered here those who faithfully have held the fortresses of our country?
26
Who is it that has so lawlessly encompassed with outrageous treatment those who from the beginning differed from all nations in their goodwill toward us and often have accepted willingly the worst of human dangers?
27
Loose and untie their unjust bonds! Send them back to their homes in peace, begging pardon for your former actions!
28
Release the sons of the almighty and living God of heaven, who from the time of our ancestors until now has granted an unimpeded and notable stability to our government."
29
These then were the things he said; and the Jews, immediately released, praised their holy God and Savior, since they now had escaped death.
30
Then the king, when he had returned to the city, summoned the official in charge of the revenues and ordered him to provide to the Jews both wines and everything else needed for a festival of seven days, deciding that they should celebrate their rescue with all joyfulness in that same place in which they had expected to meet their destruction.
31
Accordingly those disgracefully treated and near to death, or rather, who stood at its gates, arranged for a banquet of deliverance instead of a bitter and lamentable death, and full of joy they apportioned to celebrants the place which had been prepared for their destruction and burial.
32
They ceased their chanting of dirges and took up the song of their fathers, praising God, their Savior and worker of wonders. Putting an end to all mourning and wailing, they formed choruses as a sign of peaceful joy.