1 The text of the letter read as follows:ˇ°The
great King Ahasuerus to the satraps.govermors and all our loyal subjects in
the one hundred twenty-seven provinces stretching from lndia to
Ethiopia:Greetings!
2 The more some men are honored through the generosity of their partons,the
prouder they become.
3 Gloating in their power and incapable of responsibility, they seek to
injure our subjects and even plot against their own benefactors
4 They drive out gratitude from the human heart. Carried away by the
arrogant boasts of men who know nothing of goodness, they think they will
escape the justice of the allseeing God.
5 lt often happens also that those in authority, through the influence of
friends entrusted with the administration of public affairs,become partly
responsible for the shedding of innocent blood and are involved in causing
irremediable misfortune.
6 Even well-intentioned rulers are led astray by the trickery of the
corrupt.
7 these evil practices of past times, as attested by the records, have been
carried over to the puesentin the crimes perpetrated by unwornthy officials.
8 for the future, however, we will strive to make our kingdom a realm of
peace for all
9 by starting now to adopt new policies and by treating with the utmost
justice all matters that come to our attention.
10 To give an example, Haman,son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian who is alien to
Persian blood and devoid of our kindnesss, was treated hospitalbly by us
11 Enjoying the goodwill that we have towards every nation,he was
evenproclaimed our ˇ°father,ˇ±before whom, as second in rank to the king,
everyone bowed down.
12 But his arrogance turned his head, and he schemed to deprive us of our
kingdom and our life.
13 He ploted for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant
benefactor, of Esther, our blameless royal partner, and of their entire
race.
14 In that way he hoped to make us defenseless and facilityate the transferr
of rule by the Persians to the Macedonians.
15 we find, however, that the jews consigned to extinction by this accursed
man are not evildoers but are governed by the most just of laws.
16 They are,in fact, children of the Most high,the great living God,who has
made our kingdom prosperous for us and for our ancestors
17 You will, therefore,do well to ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of
Hammedatha,
18 for the man himself, together with his entire family, has been hanged at
the gate of Susa.Thus speedily has God, who rules over all, geven him the
punishment he desenved.
19 Post a copy of this letter in every public place, give the juws freedom
to live by their own laws.
20 and come to their aid against those who plan to attack them on the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month,Adar.
21 For God,who rules over all, has turned this day from one of destruction
into one of joy for his chosen people.
22 You should, therefore,celebrate this memorable day among your designated
feasts with all rejoicing.
23 so that both now and hereafter it may be for us and the loyal Persians a
celebration of salvation, and for those who plot against us a reminder of
destruction.
24 Every city and country, without exception, that fails to observe this
decree shall be destroyed with sword and fire. It will then be left
untrrodden not only by men but by the beasts and birds as well.