9
Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month (that is, the month of Sivan), on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded, unto the Jews and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof and unto every people in their language, and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language.
10
And he wrote in King Ahasuerus' name and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries.
11
Therein the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life" to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey
12
upon one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar.
13
"The great King Artaxerxes, unto the princes and governors of a hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto Ethiopia, and unto all our faithful subjects, greeting.
14
"Many, the more often they are honored with the great bounty of their gracious princes, the more proud they have waxed,
15
and endeavor to hurt not our subjects only, but, not being able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practice also against those who do them good.
16
And they take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also, lifted up with the exalted words of base persons who were never good, they think to escape the justice of God, who seeth all things and hateth evil.
17
Oftentimes also, fair speech of those who are put in trust to manage their friends' affairs hath caused many who are in authority to be partakers of innocent blood, and hath entangled them in irremediable calamities,
18
beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their base disposition the innocency and goodness of princes.
19
"Now ye may see this, as we have declared, not so much by ancient histories as ye may if ye search what hath been wickedly done of late through the pestilent behavior of those who are unworthily placed in authority.