1
After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes that
were with him.
2
And all the king’s slaves that
were in the king’s gate, knelt down and worshipped Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not kneel or worship
before him.
3
Then the king’s slaves, who
were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why dost thou pass over the king’s commandment?
4
Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily unto him, and he did not hearken unto them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai’s word would stand; for he had told them that he
was a Jew.
5
And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel or worship
before him, then Haman was filled with wrath.
6
And he thought it a small matter to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for now they had declared unto him the people of Mordecai; therefore, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that
were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, the people of Mordecai.
7
In the first month, that
is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that
is, the lot, before Haman from day to day and from month to month, and the twelfth
month, that
is, the month Adar was taken.
8
And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of thy kingdom, and their laws
are different from all
other people; neither do they observe the king’s laws: therefore, it
is not profitable for the king to allow them to remain.
9
If it pleases the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the public works, to bring
it into the king’s treasuries.