1 [In the second year of the reign of Ahashverosh (Ahasuerus) the great king, on the first day of Nisan, Mordekai the son of Yair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benyamin, a Yehudi (Jew) dwelling in the city Shushan (Susa), a great man, serving in the king’s palace, saw a vision. Now he was one of the captives whom Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) king of Bavel (Babylon) had carried captive from Yerushalem (Jerusalem) with Yekaneyah the king of Yehudah (Judea). This was his dream: Listen, voices and a noise, thunders and earthquake, tumult on the earth. And two great serpents came out, both ready for conflict. A great voice came from them. Every nation was prepared for battle by their voice, even to fight against the nation of the just. Listen, a day of darkness and blackness, suffering and anguish, affection and tumult on the earth. And all the righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own afflictions. They prepared to die, and cried to God. Something like a great river from a little spring with much water, came from their cry. Light and the sun arose, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the honourable.

Mordekai, who’d seen this vision and what God desired to do, having arisen, kept it in his heart, and desired by all means to interpret it, even until night.

Mordekai rested quietly in the palace with Gabatha and Teresh the king’s two chamberlains, eunuchs who guarded the palace. He heard their conversation and searched out their plans. He learnt that they were preparing to lay hands on King Ahashverosh; and he informed the king about them. The king examined the two chamberlains. They confessed, and were led away and executed. The king wrote these things for a record. Mordekai also wrote about these matters. The king commanded Mordekai to serve in the palace, and gave gifts for this service. But Haman the son of Hamedata the Bugaean was honoured in the sight of the king, and he endeavoured to harm Mordekai and his people, because of the king’s two chamberlains.][fn]