Esther 1:1 1 Esther 1:9

The Book of Esther1Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is

Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia,over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 Thatin those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throneof his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 3 Inthe third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all hisprinces and his servants; the power of Persia and Media,the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:4When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom andthe honour of his excellent majesty many days, even anhundred and fourscore days. 5And when these days wereexpired, the king made a feast unto all the people thatwere present in Shushan the palace, both unto great andsmall, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’spalace;* 6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings,fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silverrings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold andsilver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, andblack, marble.†‡ 7 And they gave them drink in vessels ofgold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) androyal wine in abundance, according to the state of theking.§** 8 And the drinking was according to the law;none did compel: for so the king had appointed to allthe officers of his house, that they should do accordingto every man’s pleasure. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a* 1.5 present: Heb. found † 1.6 blue, hangings: or, violet, etc ‡ 1.6of red…: or, of porphyre, and marble and alabaster, and stone of blue colour§ 1.7 royal…: Heb. wine of the kingdom ** 1.7 state: Heb. hand

Esther 1:10 2 Esther 1:17feast for the women in the royal house which belonged toking Ahasuerus.

10¶ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king wasmerry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Har-bona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the sevenchamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerusthe king,†† 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the kingwith the crown royal, to shew the people and the princesher beauty: for she was fair to look on.‡‡ 12But the queenVashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by hischamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and hisanger burned in him.§§

13 ¶ Then the king said to the wise men, which knewthe times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all thatknew law and judgment: 14 And the next unto him wasCarshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena,and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media,which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in thekingdom;) 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashtiaccording to law, because she hath not performed thecommandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamber-lains?*** 16And Memucan answered before the king andthe princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong tothe king only, but also to all the princes, and to all thepeople that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.17 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad untoall women, so that they shall despise their husbands intheir eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasueruscommanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before†† 1.10 chamberlains: or, eunuchs ‡‡ 1.11 fair…: Heb. good ofcountenance §§ 1.12 by his…: Heb. whichwas by the hand of his eunuchs*** 1.15 What…: Heb. What to do

Esther 1:18 3 Esther 2:3him, but she came not. 18Likewise shall the ladies of Persiaand Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, whichhave heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arisetoo much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, letthere go a royal commandment from him, and let it bewritten among the laws of the Persians and the Medes,that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more beforekingAhasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate untoanother that is better than she.†††‡‡‡§§§* 20 And whenthe king’s decree which he shall make shall be publishedthroughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wivesshall give to their husbands honour, both to great andsmall. 21And the saying pleased

the king and the princes; and the king did accordingto the word of Memucan:† 22 For he sent letters into allthe king’s provinces, into every province according to thewriting thereof, and to every people after their language,that every man should bear rule in his own house, andthat it should be published according to the language ofevery people.‡

21After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus

was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she haddone, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said theking’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there befair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the kingappoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, thatthey may gather together all the fair young virgins unto††† 1.19 If it…: Heb. If it be good with the king ‡‡‡ 1.19 unto…: Heb.unto her companion §§§ 1.19 from him: Heb. from before him * 1.19be not…: Heb. pass not away † 1.21 pleased…: Heb. was good in the eyesof the king ‡ 1.22 that it…: Heb. that one should publish it according tothe language of his people

Esther 2:4 4 Esther 2:9Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto thecustody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper

of the women; and let their things for purification begiven them:*† 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth theking be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleasedthe king; and he did so.

5 ¶ Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew,whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son ofShimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 6 Who had beencarried away from Jerusalemwith the captivitywhichhadbeen carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whomNebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.‡7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’sdaughter: for she had neither father nor mother, andthe maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, whenher father and mother were dead, took for his owndaughter.§**

8 ¶ So it came to pass, when the king’s commandmentand his decree was heard, and when many maidens weregathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the cus-tody ofHegai, that Estherwas brought also unto the king’shouse, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.9And the maiden pleased

him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedilygave her her things for purification, with such things asbelonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet tobe given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferredher and her maids unto the best place of the house of the* 2.3 unto the…: Heb. unto the hand † 2.3 Hege: also called, Hegai‡ 2.6 Jeconiah: also called, Jehoiachin § 2.7 brought…: Heb. nourished** 2.7 fair…: Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance

Esther 2:10 5 Esther 2:17women.††‡‡ 10Esther had not shewed her people nor herkindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she shouldnot shew it. 11And Mordecai walked every day before thecourt of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, andwhat should become of her.§§

12 ¶ Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in toking Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months,according to the manner of the women, (for so werethe days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, sixmonths with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweetodours, and with other things for the purifying of thewomen;) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king;whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her outof the house of the women unto the king’s house. 14 Inthe evening she went, and on the morrow she returnedinto the second house of the women, to the custodyof Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept theconcubines: she came in unto the king no more, exceptthe king delighted in her, and that she were called byname.

15 ¶ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter ofAbihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her forhis daughter, was come to go in unto the king, sherequired nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain,the keeper of thewomen, appointed. And Esther obtainedfavour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 SoEstherwas takenunto kingAhasuerus intohis house royalin the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in theseventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Estherabove all the women, and she obtained grace and favourin his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the†† 2.9 such…: Heb. her portions ‡‡ 2.9 preferred: Heb. changed§§ 2.11 to know…: Heb. to know the peace

Esther 2:18 6 Esther 3:3royal crown upon her head, and made her queen insteadof Vashti.***††† 18Then the king made a great feast untoall his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and hemade a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, accordingto the state of the king.‡‡‡ 19And when the virgins weregathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat inthe king’s gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindrednor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Estherdid the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she wasbrought up with him.

21¶ In those days, whileMordecai sat in the king’s gate,two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, ofthose which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to layhand on the king Ahasuerus.§§§* 22 And the thing wasknown to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen;and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it wasfound out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree:and it was written in the book of the chronicles beforethe king.

31 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote

Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and ad-vancedhim, and set his seat above all the princes thatwerewith him. 2 And all the king’s servants, that were in theking’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the kinghad so commanded concerning him. ButMordecai bowednot, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king’s servants,which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why*** 2.17 favour: or, kindness ††† 2.17 in his…: Heb. before him‡‡‡ 2.18 release: Heb. rest §§§ 2.21 Bigthan: also called, Bigthana* 2.21 the door: Heb. the threshold

Esther 3:4 7 Esther 3:12transgressest thou the king’s commandment? 4 Now itcame to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and hehearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to seewhether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had toldthem that he was a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw thatMordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then wasHaman full of wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to layhands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him thepeople of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroyall the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom ofAhasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7 ¶ In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in thetwelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, thelot, before Haman from day to day, and from month tomonth, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

8 ¶ And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is acertain people scattered abroad and dispersed among thepeople in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their lawsare diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’slaws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to sufferthem.* 9 If it please the king, let it be written that theymay be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents ofsilver to the hands of those that have the charge of thebusiness, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.†‡ 10 Andthe king took his ring from his hand, and gave it untoHaman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’enemy.§ 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silveris given to thee, the people also, to do with them as itseemeth good to thee. 12 Then were the king’s scribes

called on the thirteenth day of the first month, andthere was written according to all that Haman had com-* 3.8 for the…: Heb. meet or, equal, etc † 3.9 that they…: Heb. to destroythem ‡ 3.9 pay: Heb. weigh § 3.10 enemy: or, oppressor

Esther 3:13 8 Esther 4:4

manded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governorsthat were over every province, and to the rulers of everypeople of every province according to thewriting thereof,and to every people after their language; in the nameof king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with theking’s ring.** 13 And the letters were sent by posts intoall the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to causeto perish, all Jews, both young and old, little childrenand women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth dayof the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and totake the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of thewriting for a commandment to be given in every provincewas published unto all people, that they should be readyagainst that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastenedby the king’s commandment, and the decree was given inShushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down todrink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

41WhenMordecai perceived all thatwas done, Mordecai

rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, andwent out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loudand a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king’s gate:for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed withsackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever theking’s commandment andhis decree came, therewas greatmourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, andwailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.*

4 ¶ So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came andtold it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and** 3.12 scribes: or, secretaries * 4.3 many…: Heb. sackcloth and asheswere laid under many

Esther 4:5 9 Esther 4:14she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away hissackcloth from him: but he received it not.†

5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’schamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend uponher, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to knowwhat it was, and why it was.‡ 6 So Hatach went forth toMordecai unto the street of the city, which was beforethe king’s gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that hadhappened unto him, and of the sum of the money thatHaman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries forthe Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him the copyof the writing of the decree that was given at Shushanto destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare itunto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto theking, tomake supplication unto him, and tomake requestbefore him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and toldEsther the words of Mordecai.

10 ¶ Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave himcommandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king’s servants,and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, thatwhosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto theking into the inner court, who is not called, there is onelaw of his to put him to death, except such to whom theking shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live:but I have not been called to come in unto the king thesethirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words.13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Thinknotwith thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house,more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdestthy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement anddeliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but† 4.4 chamberlains: Heb. eunuchs ‡ 4.5 appointed…: Heb. set beforeher

Esther 4:15 10 Esther 5:5thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and whoknoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for sucha time as this?§

15¶ Then Esther bade them returnMordecai this answer,16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present inShushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drinkthree days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fastlikewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is notaccording to the law: and if I perish, I perish.** 17 SoMordecai went his way, and did according to all thatEsther had commanded him.††

51 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther

put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court ofthe king’s house, over against the king’s house: and theking sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, overagainst the gate of the house. 2 And it was so, when theking saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that sheobtained favour in his sight: and the king held out toEsther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Estherdrew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Thensaid the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther?and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee tothe half of the kingdom. 4And Esther answered, If it seemgood unto the king, let the king and Haman come this dayunto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 Thenthe king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he maydo as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came tothe banquet that Esther had prepared.§ 4.14 enlargement: Heb. respiration ** 4.16 present: Heb. found†† 4.17 went…: Heb. passed

Esther 5:6 11 Esther 5:146¶And the king said unto Esther at the banquet ofwine,

What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: andwhat is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom itshall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said,My petition and my request is; 8 If I have found favourin the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grantmy petition, and to perform my request, let the king andHaman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them,and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.*

9 ¶ Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with aglad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’sgate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was fullof indignation against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Hamanrefrained himself: and when he came home, he sentand called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.† 11 AndHaman told them of the glory of his riches, and themultitude of his children, and all the things wherein theking had promoted him, and how he had advanced himabove the princes and servants of the king. 12Haman saidmoreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come inwith the king unto the banquet that she had prepared butmyself; and tomorrow am I invited unto her also with theking. 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I seeMordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.

14 ¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends untohim, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may behanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the kingunto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and hecaused the gallows to be made.‡

* 5.8 perform: Heb. do † 5.10 called…: Heb. caused to come ‡ 5.14gallows: Heb. tree

Esther 6:1 12 Esther 6:96

1 On that night could not the king sleep, and he com-manded to bring the book of records of the chronicles;and they were read before the king.* 2 And it was foundwritten, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh,two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door,who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.†‡ 3 Andthe king said, What honour and dignity hath been doneto Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants thatministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

4¶ And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Hamanwas come into the outward court of the king’s house, tospeak unto the king to hangMordecai on the gallows thathe had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s servants saidunto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. Andthe king said, Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in.And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto theman whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Hamanthought in his heart, To whom would the king delight todo honour more than to myself?§ 7And Haman answeredthe king, For the man whom the king delighteth

to honour,** 8 Let the royal apparel be brought whichthe king useth to wear, and the horse that the king ridethupon, and the crown royalwhich is set uponhis head:††‡‡9And let this apparel andhorse be delivered to thehandofone of the king’s most noble princes, that they may arraythe man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and* 6.1 could…: Heb. the king’s sleep fled away † 6.2 Bigthana: also called,Bigthan ‡ 6.2 door: Heb. threshold § 6.6 whom the king…: Heb.in whose honour the king delighteth ** 6.7 whom the king…: Heb. inwhose honour the king delighteth †† 6.8 Let…: Heb. Let them bring theroyal apparel ‡‡ 6.8 which the king…: Heb. wherewith the king clothethhimself

Esther 6:10 13 Esther 7:3bring him on horseback through the street of the city,and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to theman whom the king delighteth to honour.§§ 10 Then theking said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel andthe horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecaithe Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing failof all that thou hast spoken.*** 11 Then took Hamanthe apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, andbrought him on horseback through the street of the city,and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto theman whom the king delighteth

to honour.12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But

Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having hishead covered. 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and allhis friends every thing that had befallen him. Then saidhis wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecaibe of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begunto fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surelyfall before him. 14 And while they were yet talking withhim, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bringHaman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

71 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther

the queen.* 2And the king said again unto Esther on thesecond day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition,queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what isthy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half ofthe kingdom. 3Then Esther the queen answered and said,If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please§§ 6.9 bring…: Heb. cause him to ride *** 6.10 let…: Heb. suffer not awhit to fall * 7.1 to banquet: Heb. to drink

Esther 7:4 14 Esther 7:10the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and mypeople at my request: 4 For we are sold, I and my people,to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we hadbeen sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held mytongue, although the enemy could not countervail theking’s damage.†

5 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said untoEsther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durstpresume in his heart to do so?‡ 6 And Esther said, Theadversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Hamanwas afraid before the king and the queen.§**

7¶ And the king arising from the banquet of wine in hiswrathwent into thepalace garden: andHaman stoodup tomake request for his life to Esther the queen; for he sawthat there was evil determined against him by the king.8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into theplace of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen uponthe bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Willhe force the queen also before me in the house? As thewordwent out of the king’smouth, they covered Haman’sface.†† 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, saidbefore the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high,which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spokengood for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Thenthe king said, Hang him thereon.‡‡ 10 So they hangedHaman on the gallows that he had prepared forMordecai.Then was the king’s wrath pacified.† 7.4 to be destroyed…: Heb. that they should destroy, and kill, and causeto perish ‡ 7.5 that…: Heb. whose heart hath filled him § 7.6 Theadversary: Heb. The man adversary ** 7.6 before: or, at the presence of†† 7.8 before me: Heb. with me ‡‡ 7.9 gallows: Heb. tree

Esther 8:1 15 Esther 8:98

1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the houseof Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. AndMordecai came before the king; for Esther had told whathewas unto her. 2And the king took off his ring, which hehad taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. AndEsther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

3¶ And Esther spake yet again before the king, and felldown at his feet, and besought himwith tears to put awaythe mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device thathe had devised against the Jews.* 4 Then the king heldout the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose,and stood before the king, 5And said, If it please the king,and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seemright before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it bewritten to reverse the letters devised by Haman the sonof Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroythe Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:†‡ 6 Forhow can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto mypeople? or how can I endure to see the destruction of mykindred?§

7¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queenand to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Estherthe house of Haman, and him they have hanged uponthe gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.8Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’sname, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writingwhich is written in the king’s name, and sealed with theking’s ring, may no man reverse. 9 Then were the king’sscribes called at that time in the third month, that is,* 8.3 and besought…: Heb. and she wept, and besought him † 8.5devised: Heb. the device ‡ 8.5 which he…: or, who wrote § 8.6endure…: Heb. be able that I may see

Esther 8:10 16 Esther 8:15the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof;and it was written according to all that Mordecai com-manded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and thedeputies and rulers of the provinces which are from Indiaunto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces,unto every province according to the writing thereof,and unto every people after their language, and to theJews according to their writing, and according to theirlanguage. 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name,and sealed itwith the king’s ring, and sent letters by postson horseback, and riders

on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: 11Whereinthe king granted the Jews which were in every city togather themselves together, and to stand for their life, todestroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of thepeople and province that would assault them, both littleones 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 Adar. 13 The copy of the writingfor a commandment to be given in every province waspublished unto all people, and that the Jews should beready against that day to avenge themselves on theirenemies.** 14 So the posts that rode upon mules andcamels went out, being hastened and pressed on by theking’s commandment. And the decree was given atShushan the palace.

15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of theking in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a greatcrown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen andpurple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.††

** 8.13 published: Heb. revealed †† 8.15 blue: or, violet

Esther 8:16 17 Esther 9:1016 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.17And in every province, and in every city, whithersoeverthe king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jewshad joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And manyof the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of theJews fell upon them.

91 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar,

on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’scommandment and his decree drew near to be put inexecution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hopedto have power over them, (though it was turned to thecontrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hatedthem;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in theircities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus,to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no mancould withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon allpeople. 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and thelieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king,helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell uponthem.* 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, andhis fame went out throughout all the provinces: for thismanMordecai waxed greater and greater. 5Thus the Jewssmote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, andslaughter, and destruction, and did what they would untothose that hated them.† 6 And in Shushan the palacethe Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. 7 AndParshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8And Poratha,and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai,and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10 The ten sons of Haman the* 9.3 officers…: Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king† 9.5 what…: Heb. according to their will

Esther 9:11 18 Esther 9:19son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they;but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11 On that daythe number of those thatwere slain in Shushan the palacewas brought before the king.‡

12 ¶ And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jewshave slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushanthe palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have theydone in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what isthy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what isthy request further? and it shall be done. 13 Then saidEsther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jewswhich are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according untothis day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hangedupon the gallows.§ 14 And the king commanded it so tobe done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and theyhanged Haman’s ten sons. 15 For the Jews that were inShushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenthday also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred menat Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.16 But the other Jews that were in the king’s provincesgathered themselves together, and stood for their lives,and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foesseventy and five thousand, but they laid not their handson the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar;and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, andmade it a day of feasting and gladness.** 18 But theJews that were at Shushan assembled together on thethirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof;and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, andmade it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the‡ 9.11 was…: Heb. came § 9.13 let Haman’s…: Heb. let men hang, etc** 9.17 of the same: Heb. in it

Esther 9:20 19 Esther 9:27Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns,made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day ofgladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sendingportions one to another.

20 ¶ And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent lettersunto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the kingAhasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 To stablish this amongthem, that they should keep the fourteenth day of themonth Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22As the dayswherein the Jews rested from their enemies,and the month which was turned unto them from sorrowto joy, and from mourning into a good day: that theyshouldmake themdays of feasting and joy, and of sendingportions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23 Andthe Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and asMordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman theson of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all theJews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, andhad cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and todestroy them;†† 25But when Esther came before the king,he commanded by letters that his wicked device, whichhe devised against the Jews, should return upon his ownhead, and that he and his sons should be hanged on thegallows.‡‡ 26 Wherefore they called these days Purimafter the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words ofthis letter, and of that which they had seen concerningthis matter, and which had come unto them,§§ 27 TheJews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed,and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, soas it should not fail, that they would keep these twodays according to their writing, and according to their†† 9.24 consume: Heb. crush ‡‡ 9.25 when…: Heb. when she came§§ 9.26 Pur: that is, Lot

Esther 9:28 20 Esther 10:3appointed time every year;*** 28And that these days shouldbe remembered and kept throughout every generation,every family, every province, and every city; and thatthese days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews,nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.†††‡‡‡29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, andMordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirmthis second letter of Purim.§§§ 30And he sent the lettersunto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and sevenprovinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words ofpeace and truth, 31To confirm these days of Purim in theirtimes appointed, according asMordecai the Jew and Estherthe queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed forthemselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastingsand their cry.* 32 And the decree of Esther confirmedthese matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

101 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land,

and upon the isles of the sea. 2And all the acts of his powerand of his might, and the declaration of the greatness ofMordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they notwritten in the book of the chronicles of the kings ofMediaand Persia?* 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto kingAhasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted ofthe multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of hispeople, and speaking peace to all his seed.

*** 9.27 fail: Heb. pass ††† 9.28 fail: Heb. pass ‡‡‡ 9.28 perish:Heb. be ended §§§ 9.29 authority: Heb. strength * 9.31 themselves:Heb. their souls * 10.2 advanced…: Heb. made him great

21King James Version + Apocrypha

The King James Version or Authorized Version of the Holy Bible,using the standardized text of 1769, with Apocrypha/DeuterocanonPublic DomainLanguage: EnglishDialect: archaic British

Letters patent issued by King James with no expiration date means that to print thistranslation in the United Kingdom or import printed copies into the UK, you needpermission. Currently, the Cambridge University Press, the Oxford University Press,and Collins have the exclusive right to print this Bible translation in the UK. This royaldecree has no effect outside of the UK, where this work is firmly in the Public Do-main. Please see http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version#Copyright_status formore information.This free text of the King James Version of the Holy Bible is brought to you courtesy ofthe Crosswire Bible Society and eBible.org.2021-03-16PDF generated using Haiola and XeLaTeX on 17 Mar 2021 from source files dated 17Mar 2021f365941f-598f-5332-8999-b52456c5f69a