<p id="id00119">17:007:001 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.</p>
<p id="id00120" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:002 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the
banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it
shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall
be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.</p>
<p id="id00121" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:003 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found
favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my
life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:</p>
<p id="id00122" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:004 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be
slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and
bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not
countervail the king's damage.</p>
<p id="id00123" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:005 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the
queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his
heart to do so?</p>
<p id="id00124" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:006 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.
Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.</p>
<p id="id00125" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:007 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath
went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make
request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that
there was evil determined against him by the king.</p>
<p id="id00126" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:008 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place
of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed
whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the
queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of
king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.</p>
<p id="id00127" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:009 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king,
Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had
made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in
the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.</p>
<p id="id00128" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:007:010 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for
Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.</p>
<p id="id00129">17:008:001 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the<br/>
Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before<br/>
the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.<br/></p>
<p id="id00130">17:008:002 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman,<br/>
and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the<br/>
house of Haman.<br/></p>
<p id="id00131" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:003 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at
his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief
of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised
against the Jews.</p>
<p id="id00132" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:004 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So
Esther arose, and stood before the king,</p>
<p id="id00133" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:005 And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his
sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be
pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters
devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he
wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's
provinces:</p>
<p id="id00134" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:006 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my
people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my
kindred?</p>
<p id="id00135">17:008:007 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to<br/>
Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of<br/>
Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he<br/>
laid his hand upon the Jews.<br/></p>
<p id="id00136">17:008:008 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's<br/>
name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which<br/>
is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's<br/>
ring, may no man reverse.<br/></p>
<p id="id00137" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:009 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third
month, that is, the month 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, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every
province according to the writing thereof, and unto every
people after their language, and to the Jews according to
their writing, and according to their language.</p>
<p id="id00138" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:010 And he wrote in the 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:</p>
<p id="id00139" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:011 Wherein the king granted the Jews which 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,</p>
<p id="id00140" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:012 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely,
upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the
month Adar.</p>
<p id="id00141" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:013 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every
province was published unto all people, and that the Jews
should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their
enemies.</p>
<p id="id00142" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:014 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being
hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the
decree was given at Shushan the palace.</p>
<p id="id00143" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:015 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal
apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and
with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of
Shushan rejoiced and was glad.</p>
<p id="id00144">17:008:016 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.</p>
<p id="id00145" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:008:017 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the
king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and
gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of
the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.</p>
<p id="id00146" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:001 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the
thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and
his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that
the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though
it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over
them that hated them;)</p>
<p id="id00147" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:002 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities
throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay
hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand
them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.</p>
<p id="id00148">17:009:003 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and<br/>
the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews;<br/>
because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.<br/></p>
<p id="id00149">17:009:004 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went<br/>
out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed<br/>
greater and greater.<br/></p>
<p id="id00150">17:009:005 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the<br/>
sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would<br/>
unto those that hated them.<br/></p>
<p id="id00151" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:006 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five
hundred men.</p>
<p id="id00152">17:009:007 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,</p>
<p id="id00153">17:009:008 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,</p>
<p id="id00154">17:009:009 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,</p>
<p id="id00155">17:009:010 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the<br/>
Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.<br/></p>
<p id="id00156">17:009:011 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the<br/>
palace was brought before the king.<br/></p>
<p id="id00157" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:012 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain
and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the
ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the
king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be
granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be
done.</p>
<p id="id00158" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:013 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to
the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according
unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged
upon the gallows.</p>
<p id="id00159" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:014 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was
given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.</p>
<p id="id00160">17:009:015 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together<br/>
on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three<br/>
hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their<br/>
hand.<br/></p>
<p id="id00161">17:009:016 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered<br/>
themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest<br/>
from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five<br/>
thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,<br/></p>
<p id="id00162" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:017 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth
day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and
gladness.</p>
<p id="id00163">17:009:018 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the<br/>
thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on<br/>
the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day<br/>
of feasting and gladness.<br/></p>
<p id="id00164">17:009:019 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled<br/>
towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of<br/>
gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions<br/>
one to another.<br/></p>
<p id="id00165">17:009:020 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the<br/>
Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus,<br/>
both nigh and far,<br/></p>
<p id="id00166">17:009:021 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the<br/>
fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the<br/>
same, yearly,<br/></p>
<p id="id00167" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:022 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and
the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and
from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days
of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another,
and gifts to the poor.</p>
<p id="id00168" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:023 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as
Mordecai had written unto them;</p>
<p id="id00169">17:009:024 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of<br/>
all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them,<br/>
and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to<br/>
destroy them;<br/></p>
<p id="id00170">17:009:025 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters<br/>
that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews,<br/>
should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons<br/>
should be hanged on the gallows.<br/></p>
<p id="id00171">17:009:026 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur.<br/>
Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which<br/>
they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto<br/>
them,<br/></p>
<p id="id00172" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:027 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed,
and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it
should not fail, that they would keep these two days according
to their writing, and according to their appointed time every
year;</p>
<p id="id00173" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:028 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout
every generation, every family, every province, and every
city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among
the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.</p>
<p id="id00174">17:009:029 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai<br/>
the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second<br/>
letter of Purim.<br/></p>
<p id="id00175">17:009:030 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred<br/>
twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with<br/>
words of peace and truth,<br/></p>
<p id="id00176" style="margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0%">17:009:031 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed,
according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had
enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for
their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.</p>
<p id="id00177">17:009:032 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and<br/>
it was written in the book.<br/></p>
<p id="id00178">17:010:001 And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon<br/>
the isles of the sea.<br/></p>
<p id="id00179">17:010:002 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the<br/>
declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king<br/>
advanced him, are they not written in the book of the<br/>
chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?<br/></p>
<p id="id00180">17:010:003 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great<br/>
among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren,<br/>
seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all<br/>
his seed.<br/></p>
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