1
King Xerxes imposed taxes on the people of the coastal regions of his empire as well as on those of the interior.
2
His power and virtue, as well as the wealth and splendor of his empire, are recorded in the official records of the kings of Persia and Media.
3
Mordecai was second in rank only to King Xerxes himself. He was a great man in the empire and was honored by his fellow Jews. He was greatly loved, for he sought the welfare of his people.
4
Then Mordecai said, "God has caused all these things to happen!
5
And I am reminded of the dream I had about all of this. Every detail of the dream has come true:
6
the small spring that became a river, the dawn that turned into sunlight, and the abundance of water. The river is Esther, whom the king married and made his queen.
7
The two dragons represent Haman and me.
8
The nations are all those who have gathered together to destroy the Jews.
9
My nation is Israel, which cried out to God for help and was saved. The Lord saved his people! He rescued us from all these evils and performed great miracles and wonders that have never happened among other nations.