36
The king, however, reconvened the party in the same manner and urged the guests to return to their celebrating.
37
After summoning Hermon he said in a threatening tone, "How many times, you poor wretch, must I give you orders about these things?
38
Equip the elephants now once more for the destruction of the Jews tomorrow!"
39
But the officials who were at table with him, wondering at his instability of mind, remonstrated as follows:
40
"O king, how long will you try us, as though we are idiots, ordering now for a third time that they be destroyed, and again revoking your decree in the matter?
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.