1
Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's mitzvah and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Yehudim hoped to have rule over them, (whereas it was turned to the contrary, that the Yehudim had rule over those who hated them,)
2
the Yehudim gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Achashverosh, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen on all the peoples.
3
All the princes of the provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and those who did the king's business, helped the Yehudim; because the fear of Mordekhai was fallen on them.
4
For Mordekhai was great in the king's house, and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordekhai grew greater and greater.
5
The Yehudim struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they would to those who hated them.
6
In Shushan the palace the Yehudim killed and destroyed five hundred men.
7
Parshandata, and Dalfon, and Aspata,
8
and Porata, and Adalyah, and Aridata,
9
and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vaizata,
10
the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedata, the Yehudi's enemy, killed they; but they didn't lay their hand on the spoil.
11
On that day the number of those who were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.
12
The king said to Ester the queen, The Yehudim have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? and it shall be granted you: or what is your request further? and it shall be done.
13
Then said Ester, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Yehudim who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows.
14
The king commanded it so to be done: and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.
15
The Yehudim who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Shushan; but they didn't lay their hand on the spoil.
16
The other Yehudim who were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and killed of those who hated them seventy-five thousand; but they didn't lay their hand on the spoil.
17
[This was done] on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18
But the Yehudim who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth [day] of it, and on the fourteenth of it; and on the fifteenth [day] of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
19
Therefore do the Yehudim of the villages, who dwell in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar [a day of] gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.
20
Mordekhai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Yehudim who were in all the provinces of the king Achashverosh, both near and far,