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\begin{document}

\BibleBook{The Book of  Esther}

\BibleBookTableOfContents

\BibleTitlePage
\BibleTitleTwo{The Book of }
\BibleMainTitle{Esther }

\BibleSectionHeading{The Follies of a Despot }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{The Follies of a Despot }
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\chapterNumber{1}These|strong="H1931" events|strong="H1697" happened|strong="H1961" in|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3117" time|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", who|strong="H1931" ruled|strong="H4427" over|strong="H4427" a|strong="H1961" hundred|strong="H3967" and|strong="H3967" twenty-seven|strong="H6242" provinces|strong="H4082" from|strong="H3117" India|strong="H1912" to|strong="H5704" Ethiopia|strong="H3568" 
\verseNumber{2}from|strong="H5921" his|strong="H5921" royal|strong="H4438" throne|strong="H3678" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" fortified|strong="H1219" palace|strong="H1002" of|strong="H4428" Susa|strong="H7800". 
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\verseNumber{3}In|strong="H8141" the|strong="H3605" third|strong="H7969" year|strong="H8141" of|strong="H8141" his|strong="H3605" reign|strong="H4427", the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4427" gave|strong="H6213" a|strong="H6213" feast|strong="H4960" for|strong="H6213" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" officers|strong="H8269" and|strong="H5650" courtiers. The|strong="H3605" commanders|strong="H8269" of|strong="H8141" the|strong="H3605" military|strong="H4421" forces|strong="H2428" of|strong="H8141" Persia|strong="H6539" and|strong="H5650" Media|strong="H4074", the|strong="H3605" nobles|strong="H6579" and|strong="H5650" provincial rulers|strong="H8269" were|strong="H5650" present|strong="H6213" 
\verseNumber{4}while|strong="H3117" for|strong="H3117" one|strong="H7200" hundred|strong="H3967" and|strong="H3967" eighty|strong="H8084" days|strong="H3117" he|strong="H3117" showed|strong="H7200" them|strong="H7200" the|strong="H7200" glorious|strong="H8597" riches|strong="H6239" of|strong="H3117" his|strong="H7200" kingdom|strong="H4438" and|strong="H3967" the|strong="H7200" costliness of|strong="H3117" his|strong="H7200" magnificent|strong="H0117" regalia. 
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\verseNumber{5}When|strong="H3117" these|strong="H6213" days|strong="H3117" were|strong="H5971" ended|strong="H4390", the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" held|strong="H4428" a|strong="H6213" banquet|strong="H4960" for|strong="H5704" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" who|strong="H3605" were|strong="H5971" present|strong="H4672" in|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" royal|strong="H4428" palace|strong="H1002" at|strong="H3117" Susa|strong="H7800", high|strong="H1419" and|strong="H4428" low|strong="H8213" alike|strong="H3162". It|strong="H6213" was|strong="H3117" a|strong="H6213" seven|strong="H7651" days’|strong="H3117" feast|strong="H4960" in|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" enclosed|strong="H1004" garden|strong="H1594" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" royal|strong="H4428" palace|strong="H1002". 
\verseNumber{6}There|strong="H8033" were|strong="H5921" white|strong="H2353" and|strong="H3701" violet|strong="H8504" cotton curtains|strong="H3407" fastened|strong="H8628" to|strong="H5921" silver|strong="H3701" rings|strong="H1550" and|strong="H3701" pillars|strong="H5982" of|strong="H5982" marble|strong="H8336" with|strong="H5921" cords|strong="H2256" of|strong="H5982" fine|strong="H8336" purple|strong="H8504" wool|strong="H6785" and|strong="H3701" linen|strong="H8336". The|strong="H5921" couches|strong="H4296" were|strong="H5921" of|strong="H5982" gold|strong="H2091" and|strong="H3701" silver|strong="H3701" placed|strong="H5414" upon|strong="H5921" a|strong="H5921" mosaic|strong="H7531" pavement|strong="H7531" of|strong="H5982" alabaster|strong="H8336", white|strong="H2353" marble|strong="H8336", mother-of-pearl|strong="H1858", and|strong="H3701" dark|strong="H2822" stone|strong="H0068". 
\verseNumber{7}Drink|strong="H8248" was|strong="H4428" brought|strong="H4428" in|strong="H4428" vessels|strong="H3627" of|strong="H4428" gold|strong="H2091" – which|strong="H2091" were|strong="H3027" all|strong="H3605" different|strong="H8133" – and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3027" king’s|strong="H4428" wine|strong="H3196" was|strong="H4428" provided|strong="H8248" with|strong="H3027" royal|strong="H4438" liberality. 
\verseNumber{8}The|strong="H3605" drinking|strong="H8360" was|strong="H4428" unrestricted|strong="H4164", for|strong="H3588" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" had|strong="H4428" directed|strong="H5090" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" officers|strong="H7227" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" household|strong="H1004" to|strong="H6213" let|strong="H3651" each|strong="H3605" man|strong="H3605" do|strong="H6213" as|strong="H6213" he|strong="H3588" pleased|strong="H7522". 
\verseNumber{9}Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti|strong="H2060" also|strong="H1571" gave|strong="H6213" a|strong="H6213" feast|strong="H4960" for|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" women|strong="H0802" in|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus’|strong="H0325" royal|strong="H4438" palace|strong="H1004". 
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\verseNumber{10}On|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6440" seventh|strong="H7637" day|strong="H3117", when|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" was|strong="H3820" merry|strong="H2896" with|strong="H6440" wine|strong="H3196", he|strong="H3117" commanded|strong="H6680" Mehuman|strong="H4104", Biztha|strong="H0968", Harbona|strong="H2726", Bigtha|strong="H0903", Abagtha|strong="H0005", Zathar and|strong="H4428" Carkas|strong="H3752", his|strong="H6440" seven|strong="H7651" eunuch|strong="H5631" attendants|strong="H5650" 
\verseNumber{11}to|strong="H6440" bring|strong="H0935" Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti|strong="H2060" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440" with|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" royal|strong="H4438" diadem|strong="H6797" on|strong="H7200" her|strong="H7200" head|strong="H8269", to|strong="H6440" show|strong="H7200" her|strong="H7200" beauty|strong="H3308" to|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" people|strong="H5971" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" officials|strong="H8269", for|strong="H3588" she|strong="H1931" was|strong="H1931" very|strong="H2896" beautiful|strong="H2896". 
\verseNumber{12}But|strong="H4428" Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti|strong="H2060" refused|strong="H3985" to|strong="H3027" come|strong="H2534" as|strong="H1697" the|strong="H1697" king|strong="H4428" commanded|strong="H6680" through|strong="H3027" the|strong="H1697" eunuchs|strong="H5631". Then|strong="H4428" the|strong="H1697" king|strong="H4428" became|strong="H1697" very|strong="H3966" angry|strong="H7107" and|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3027" fury|strong="H2534" burned|strong="H1197" within|strong="H7130" him|strong="H3027". 
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\verseNumber{13}The|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" turned|strong="H6256" to|strong="H6256" the|strong="H3605" wise|strong="H2450" men|strong="H2450" who|strong="H3605" knew|strong="H3045" the|strong="H3605" precedents, for|strong="H3588" it|strong="H3588" was|strong="H1697" his|strong="H3605" custom|strong="H3651" to|strong="H6256" confer with|strong="H6440" those|strong="H3605" wise|strong="H2450" in|strong="H4428" law|strong="H1881". 
\verseNumber{14}Those|strong="H3427" next|strong="H7138" to|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440" were|strong="H8269" Carshena|strong="H3771", Shethar|strong="H8369", Admatha|strong="H0133", Tarshish|strong="H8659", Meres|strong="H4825", Marsena|strong="H4826" and|strong="H4428" Memucan|strong="H4462", seven|strong="H7651" officials|strong="H8269" of|strong="H4428" Persia|strong="H6539" and|strong="H4428" Media|strong="H4074" who|strong="H3427" had|strong="H4428" access|strong="H7200" to|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" were|strong="H8269" highest|strong="H8064" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H6440" kingdom|strong="H4438". 
\verseNumber{15}‘Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti’, the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H3982", ‘has|strong="H4428" failed|strong="H3808" to|strong="H6213" obey|strong="H6213" my|strong="H5921" royal|strong="H4428" command|strong="H3027" – the|strong="H5921" command|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" conveyed|strong="H1697" through|strong="H3027" the|strong="H5921" eunuchs|strong="H5631"! What|strong="H4100" does|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" law|strong="H1881" say|strong="H0559" should|strong="H4100" be|strong="H3808" done|strong="H6213" to|strong="H6213" her|strong="H5921"?’ 
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\verseNumber{16}Memucan|strong="H4462" replied|strong="H0559" before|strong="H6440" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" officials|strong="H8269", ‘Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti|strong="H2060" has|strong="H4428" done|strong="H3605" wrong|strong="H5753" not|strong="H3808" only|strong="H3588" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" but|strong="H3588" also|strong="H4428" to|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" officials|strong="H8269" and|strong="H4428" to|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" peoples|strong="H5971" in|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082". 
\verseNumber{17}The|strong="H3605" refusal of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" queen|strong="H4436" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H3808" reported|strong="H3318" to|strong="H3318" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" women|strong="H0802" with|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" result|strong="H6903" that|strong="H3588" it|strong="H5921" will|strong="H4428" make|strong="H3588" them|strong="H5921" despise|strong="H3988" their|strong="H3605" husbands|strong="H1167". They|strong="H3588" will|strong="H4428" say|strong="H1697", “King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" commanded|strong="H6680" Queen|strong="H4436" Vashti|strong="H2060" to|strong="H3318" be|strong="H3808" brought|strong="H3318" in|strong="H5921" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440", but|strong="H3588" she|strong="H3588" did|strong="H3808" not|strong="H3808" come|strong="H3318"!” 
\verseNumber{18}This|strong="H2088" very|strong="H2088" day|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3605" ladies|strong="H8282" of|strong="H4428" Persia|strong="H6539" and|strong="H4428" Media|strong="H4074" who|strong="H3605" have|strong="H1697" heard|strong="H8085" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" refusal of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" queen|strong="H4436" will|strong="H4428" tell|strong="H8085" it|strong="H3117" to|strong="H3117" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" officials|strong="H8269", and|strong="H4428" there|strong="H2088" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1697" contempt|strong="H0937" and|strong="H4428" strife|strong="H7379"! 
\verseNumber{19}If|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" seems|strong="H2896" best|strong="H2896" to|strong="H3318" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428", let|strong="H5414" him|strong="H5414" send|strong="H5414" out|strong="H3318" a|strong="H5414" royal|strong="H4438" edict|strong="H1697". Let|strong="H5414" it|strong="H5414" be|strong="H3808" written|strong="H3789" among|strong="H4480" the|strong="H6440" laws|strong="H1881" of|strong="H4428" Persia|strong="H6539" and|strong="H4428" Media|strong="H4074", never|strong="H3808" to|strong="H3318" be|strong="H3808" repealed|strong="H5674", that|strong="H1697" Vashti|strong="H2060" may|strong="H4428" never|strong="H3808" again|strong="H6440" come|strong="H3318" before|strong="H6440" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325". Let|strong="H5414" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" give|strong="H5414" her|strong="H5414" place|strong="H5414" as|strong="H1697" queen|strong="H4436" to|strong="H3318" another|strong="H7468" who|strong="H4428" is|strong="H1697" more|strong="H4480" worthy|strong="H2896" than|strong="H4480" she|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{20}When|strong="H3588" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" decree|strong="H6599" which|strong="H1931" he|strong="H1931" makes|strong="H6213" is|strong="H1931" heard|strong="H8085" throughout|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" kingdom|strong="H4438" – great|strong="H1419" as|strong="H5704" it|strong="H5414" is|strong="H1931" – the|strong="H3605" wives|strong="H0802" of|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" classes will|strong="H4428" give|strong="H5414" honour|strong="H3366" to|strong="H5704" their|strong="H3605" husbands|strong="H1167".’ 
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\verseNumber{21}The|strong="H6213" proposal|strong="H1697" pleased|strong="H3190" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6213" officials|strong="H8269", and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" did|strong="H6213" as|strong="H1697" Memucan|strong="H4462" advised|strong="H0559". 
\verseNumber{22}He|strong="H3605" sent|strong="H7971" letters|strong="H5612" to|strong="H1696" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082", to|strong="H1696" every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082" in|strong="H1004" its|strong="H3605" own|strong="H1961" system of|strong="H4428" writing|strong="H3791" and|strong="H7971" to|strong="H1696" every|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" in|strong="H1004" their|strong="H3605" language|strong="H3956", that|strong="H5971" every|strong="H3605" man|strong="H3605" should|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1961" master|strong="H8323" in|strong="H1004" his|strong="H3605" own|strong="H1961" house|strong="H1004"! 

\BibleSectionHeading{Choosing a Queen }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{Choosing a Queen }
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\chapterNumber{2}Some|strong="H1697" time|strong="H5921" later|strong="H0310", when|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" wrath|strong="H2534" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" had|strong="H4428" subsided|strong="H7918", he|strong="H6213" remembered|strong="H2142" what|strong="H1697" Vashti|strong="H2060" had|strong="H4428" done|strong="H6213" and|strong="H4428" what|strong="H1697" had|strong="H4428" been|strong="H2142" decreed|strong="H1504" against|strong="H5921" her|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{2}Then|strong="H4428" the|strong="H1245" king’s|strong="H4428" servants|strong="H5288" who|strong="H5288" waited|strong="H8334" upon|strong="H4758" him|strong="H1245" said|strong="H0559", ‘Let|strong="H7971" beautiful|strong="H2896" young|strong="H5288" virgins|strong="H1330" be|strong="H4428" sought|strong="H1245" for|strong="H4428" the|strong="H1245" king|strong="H4428", 
\verseNumber{3}and|strong="H4428" let|strong="H5414" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" appoint|strong="H6485" commissioners|strong="H5632" to|strong="H5414" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" kingdom|strong="H4438" to|strong="H5414" gather|strong="H6908" them|strong="H5414" all|strong="H3605" to|strong="H5414" Susa|strong="H7800" the|strong="H3605" royal|strong="H4438" residence|strong="H1004". Let|strong="H5414" them|strong="H5414" be|strong="H3027" brought|strong="H5414" into|strong="H3027" the|strong="H3605" women’s|strong="H0802" quarters|strong="H1004" under|strong="H3027" the|strong="H3605" custody|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" Hegai|strong="H1896", the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" eunuch|strong="H5631", who|strong="H3605" has|strong="H4428" charge|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" women|strong="H1330". Then|strong="H5414" give|strong="H5414" them|strong="H5414" what|strong="H2896" is|strong="H3027" needed|strong="H1767" to|strong="H5414" make|strong="H5414" them|strong="H5414" beautiful|strong="H2896", 
\verseNumber{4}and|strong="H4428" let|strong="H3651" the|strong="H6213" girl|strong="H5291" who|strong="H4428" pleases|strong="H5869" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1697" queen|strong="H4427" instead|strong="H8478" of|strong="H4428" Vashti|strong="H2060".’ The|strong="H6213" proposal|strong="H1697" pleased|strong="H3190" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" so|strong="H3651" he|strong="H3651" put|strong="H6213" it|strong="H6213" into|strong="H6213" action|strong="H6213". 
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\verseNumber{5}In|strong="H1121" Susa|strong="H7800" the|strong="H1961" royal|strong="H4438" residence|strong="H1004" lived|strong="H1961" a|strong="H1961" Jew|strong="H3064" named|strong="H8034" Mordecai|strong="H4782". He|strong="H4782" was|strong="H8034" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Jair|strong="H2971", son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Shimei|strong="H8096", son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Kish|strong="H7027", a|strong="H1961" Benjamite|strong="H1145". 
\verseNumber{6}(Kish|strong="H7027" had|strong="H4428" been|strong="H1961" carried|strong="H1540" away|strong="H1540" from|strong="H1540" Jerusalem|strong="H3389" with|strong="H5973" the|strong="H5973" exiles|strong="H1473" who|strong="H3063" were|strong="H3063" deported|strong="H1540" with|strong="H5973" Jeconiah|strong="H3204" king|strong="H4428" of|strong="H4428" Judah|strong="H3063", whom|strong="H0834" Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019" the|strong="H5973" king|strong="H4428" of|strong="H4428" Babylon|strong="H0894" took|strong="H4428" captive|strong="H1540".) 
\verseNumber{7}Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H1961" adopted|strong="H2388" Hadassah|strong="H1919", that|strong="H3588" is|strong="H1931", Esther|strong="H0635", his|strong="H3947" uncle’s|strong="H1730" daughter|strong="H1323", since|strong="H3588" she|strong="H1931" had|strong="H1961" neither|strong="H3808" father|strong="H0001" nor|strong="H8389" mother|strong="H0517". The|strong="H3588" girl|strong="H5291" was|strong="H1961" shapely and|strong="H2896" beautiful|strong="H3303"; and|strong="H2896" after|strong="H1961" her|strong="H3947" father|strong="H0001" and|strong="H2896" mother|strong="H0517" died|strong="H4194", Mordecai|strong="H4782" raised|strong="H6965" her|strong="H3947" as|strong="H1961" if|strong="H3588" she|strong="H1931" was|strong="H1961" his|strong="H3947" own|strong="H1961" daughter|strong="H1323". 
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\verseNumber{8}When|strong="H1961" the|strong="H8085" king’s|strong="H4428" command|strong="H1697" and|strong="H4428" decree|strong="H1881" were|strong="H1961" known|strong="H8085", many|strong="H7227" girls|strong="H5291" were|strong="H1961" gathered|strong="H6908" together|strong="H6908" to|strong="H1961" Susa|strong="H7800" the|strong="H8085" capital|strong="H3805" under|strong="H3027" the|strong="H8085" custody|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" Hegai|strong="H1896". Esther|strong="H0635" was|strong="H1961" also|strong="H3027" taken|strong="H3947" into|strong="H3027" the|strong="H8085" king’s|strong="H4428" palace|strong="H1004" and|strong="H4428" placed|strong="H3947" under|strong="H3027" the|strong="H8085" custody|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" Hegai|strong="H1896", who|strong="H8104" had|strong="H1961" charge|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H8085" women|strong="H5291". 
\verseNumber{9}The|strong="H6440" girl|strong="H5291" pleased|strong="H3190" him|strong="H5414" and|strong="H4428" gained|strong="H1214" his|strong="H5375" favour|strong="H6440", so|strong="H5414" that|strong="H7200" he|strong="H1004" quickly|strong="H4116" gave|strong="H5414" her|strong="H5414" the|strong="H6440" cosmetics|strong="H8562" she|strong="H6440" needed|strong="H1767" to|strong="H5414" enhance her|strong="H5414" beauty|strong="H3308" and|strong="H4428" her|strong="H5414" allowance|strong="H0737" of|strong="H4428" food|strong="H1004" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" seven|strong="H7651" maids|strong="H5291" selected|strong="H7200" from|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" household|strong="H1004". He|strong="H1004" also|strong="H4428" transferred|strong="H5437" her|strong="H5414" and|strong="H4428" her|strong="H5414" maids|strong="H5291" to|strong="H5414" the|strong="H6440" best|strong="H2896" place|strong="H5414" in|strong="H1004" the|strong="H6440" harem|strong="H1004". 
\verseNumber{10}Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H3588" not|strong="H3808" revealed|strong="H1540" her|strong="H5046" people|strong="H5971" nor|strong="H3808" her|strong="H5046" family|strong="H4940" background because|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H3588" ordered|strong="H6680" her|strong="H5046" not|strong="H3808" to|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{11}Every|strong="H3605" day|strong="H3117" Mordecai|strong="H4782" would|strong="H6213" to|strong="H1980" walk|strong="H1980" in|strong="H1980" front|strong="H6440" of|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3605" courtyard|strong="H2691" of|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3605" harem|strong="H1004" and|strong="H1980" ask|strong="H7592" after|strong="H3117" Esther’s|strong="H0635" health|strong="H7965" and|strong="H1980" what|strong="H4100" was|strong="H3117" happening to|strong="H1980" her|strong="H3605". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{12}The|strong="H3588" girls|strong="H5291" were|strong="H1961" prepared|strong="H3559" for|strong="H3588" meeting|strong="H4150" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" for|strong="H3588" twelve|strong="H8147" months|strong="H2320": six|strong="H8337" months|strong="H2320" being|strong="H1961" treated|strong="H3190" with|strong="H4390" oil|strong="H8081" of|strong="H4428" myrrh|strong="H4753" and|strong="H4428" six|strong="H8337" months|strong="H2320" with|strong="H4390" perfumes|strong="H7547" and|strong="H4428" cosmetics|strong="H8562". After|strong="H7093" the|strong="H3588" twelve|strong="H8147" months|strong="H2320", 
\verseNumber{13}each|strong="H3605" girl|strong="H5291" went|strong="H4428" in|strong="H1004" to|strong="H5704" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428". She|strong="H5704" was|strong="H4428" allowed|strong="H5414" to|strong="H5704" take|strong="H5414" with|strong="H5973" her|strong="H3605" whatever|strong="H3605" she|strong="H5704" wished|strong="H6634" from|strong="H5704" the|strong="H3605" women’s|strong="H0802" quarters|strong="H1004", 
\verseNumber{14}and|strong="H7725" would|strong="H2654" enter|strong="H0935" the|strong="H3588" palace|strong="H1004" in|strong="H1004" the|strong="H3588" evening|strong="H6153" and|strong="H7725" return|strong="H7725" the|strong="H3588" next|strong="H3027" morning|strong="H1242" to|strong="H7725" another|strong="H8145" part|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3588" harem|strong="H1004" under|strong="H3027" the|strong="H3588" care|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3588" king’s|strong="H4428" eunuch|strong="H5631" Shaashgaz|strong="H8190" who|strong="H1931" was|strong="H8034" in|strong="H1004" charge|strong="H3027" of|strong="H4428" concubines|strong="H6370". She|strong="H1931" would|strong="H2654" not|strong="H3808" go|strong="H7725" to|strong="H7725" the|strong="H3588" king|strong="H4428" again|strong="H7725" unless|strong="H3588" he|strong="H1931" desired|strong="H2654" her|strong="H7121" and|strong="H7725" summoned|strong="H7121" her|strong="H7121" by|strong="H3027" name|strong="H8034". 
\verseNumber{15}When|strong="H3588" it|strong="H3588" was|strong="H1961" the|strong="H3605" turn|strong="H8447" of|strong="H4428" Esther|strong="H0635" (the|strong="H3605" girl|strong="H1323" adopted|strong="H2388" by|strong="H1961" Mordecai|strong="H4782", daughter|strong="H1323" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" uncle|strong="H1730" Abihail|strong="H0032") to|strong="H1961" go|strong="H1961" in|strong="H4428" to|strong="H1961" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428", she|strong="H3588" only|strong="H3588" took|strong="H3947" with|strong="H1697" her|strong="H3605" those|strong="H3605" things|strong="H1697" that|strong="H3588" Hegai|strong="H1896", the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" eunuch|strong="H5631" in|strong="H4428" charge|strong="H8104" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" women|strong="H1323", had|strong="H1961" advised|strong="H0559" her|strong="H3605" to|strong="H1961" take|strong="H3947". Esther|strong="H0635" was|strong="H1961" liked|strong="H5869" by|strong="H1961" all|strong="H3605" who|strong="H3605" saw|strong="H7200" her|strong="H3605". 
\verseNumber{16}Esther|strong="H0635" was|strong="H1931" taken|strong="H3947" to|strong="H1004" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" in|strong="H8141" the|strong="H3947" royal|strong="H4438" palace|strong="H1004" in|strong="H8141" the|strong="H3947" tenth|strong="H6224" month|strong="H2320", the|strong="H3947" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" Tebeth|strong="H2887", in|strong="H8141" the|strong="H3947" seventh|strong="H7651" year|strong="H8141" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3947" reign|strong="H4438". 
\verseNumber{17}And|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" loved|strong="H0157" her|strong="H3605" more|strong="H3254" than|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" other|strong="H3605" women|strong="H1330", and|strong="H4428" she|strong="H6440" became|strong="H4427" his|strong="H3605" favourite and|strong="H4428" won|strong="H1589" his|strong="H3605" affection|strong="H2836". He|strong="H3605" placed|strong="H7760" the|strong="H3605" royal|strong="H4438" diadem|strong="H6797" on|strong="H7760" her|strong="H3605" head|strong="H7218" and|strong="H4428" made|strong="H7760" her|strong="H3605" queen|strong="H4427" instead|strong="H8478" of|strong="H4428" Vashti|strong="H2060". 
\verseNumber{18}Then|strong="H5414" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" gave|strong="H5414" a|strong="H6213" great|strong="H1419" feast|strong="H4960" to|strong="H6213" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" officials|strong="H8269" and|strong="H4428" courtiers in|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3519" of|strong="H4428" Esther|strong="H0635", and|strong="H4428" he|strong="H6213" remitted the|strong="H3605" taxes|strong="H4061" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" and|strong="H4428" distributed|strong="H2505" gifts|strong="H4864" with|strong="H6213" royal|strong="H4428" liberality. 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{19}All|strong="H6908" the|strong="H6908" time|strong="H8145" the|strong="H6908" virgins|strong="H1330" were|strong="H3427" assembled|strong="H6908" again|strong="H8145", Mordecai|strong="H4782" was|strong="H4428" sitting|strong="H3427" as|strong="H3427" an|strong="H3427" offical at|strong="H3427" the|strong="H6908" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179". 
\verseNumber{20}Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H1961" not|strong="H6213" revealed|strong="H1540" her|strong="H5046" people|strong="H5971" or|strong="H6213" family|strong="H4940" background because|strong="H5921" she|strong="H5921" still|strong="H5971" obeyed|strong="H8085" him|strong="H5921" as|strong="H1961" she|strong="H5921" had|strong="H1961" when|strong="H1961" he|strong="H6213" was|strong="H1961" bringing|strong="H0935" her|strong="H5046" up|strong="H5921". 

\BibleSectionHeading{Hatred|strong="H8135" without|strong="H6213" Pity|strong="H2347" }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{Hatred|strong="H8135" without|strong="H6213" Pity|strong="H2347" }
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{21}In|strong="H3427" those|strong="H1992" days|strong="H3117" while|strong="H3117" Mordecai|strong="H4782" was|strong="H3117" sitting|strong="H3427" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H8104" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179", two|strong="H8147" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H8104" royal|strong="H4428" court|strong="H8179" attendants|strong="H5650", Bigthan|strong="H0904" and|strong="H7971" Teresh|strong="H8657", who|strong="H3427" guarded|strong="H8104" the|strong="H8104" entrance|strong="H8179" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H8104" palace|strong="H1004", became|strong="H7107" enraged|strong="H7107" and|strong="H7971" attempted|strong="H3909" to|strong="H7971" kill|strong="H2026" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325". 
\verseNumber{22}But|strong="H4428" Mordecai|strong="H4782" learned|strong="H3045" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3045" conspiracy|strong="H7195" and|strong="H4428" disclosed|strong="H5046" it|strong="H3045" to|strong="H4428" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635", and|strong="H4428" she|strong="H1931" told|strong="H5046" the|strong="H3045" king|strong="H4428" on|strong="H1697" Mordecai’s|strong="H4782" behalf|strong="H8034". 
\verseNumber{23}When|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6440" affair|strong="H1697" was|strong="H1697" investigated|strong="H1245" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" facts discovered|strong="H4672", the|strong="H6440" conspirators|strong="H8518" were|strong="H3117" both|strong="H8147" hanged|strong="H8518" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" gallows|strong="H6086". The|strong="H6440" incident was|strong="H1697" recorded|strong="H3789" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" presence|strong="H6440" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" daily|strong="H3117" record|strong="H3789" of|strong="H4428" events|strong="H1697". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\chapterNumber{3}After|strong="H5921" these|strong="H7760" events|strong="H1697" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" promoted|strong="H1431" Haman|strong="H2001" the|strong="H3605" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Hammedatha|strong="H4099" the|strong="H3605" Agagite|strong="H0091", and|strong="H1121" advanced|strong="H5375" him|strong="H5921" to|strong="H5921" a|strong="H7760" place|strong="H7760" above|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" officials|strong="H8269" who|strong="H3605" were|strong="H1121" with|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{2}All|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" courtiers who|strong="H3605" were|strong="H5650" in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179" used|strong="H3605" to|strong="H4428" bow|strong="H7812" down|strong="H7812" before|strong="H3808" Haman|strong="H2001", for|strong="H3588" so|strong="H3651" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" had|strong="H4428" commanded|strong="H6680", but|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" did|strong="H3651" not|strong="H3808" bow|strong="H7812" down|strong="H7812" nor|strong="H3808" prostrate|strong="H7812" himself|strong="H7812". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{3}Then|strong="H5674" the|strong="H5674" king’s|strong="H4428" courtiers, who|strong="H5650" were|strong="H5650" in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5674" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179", said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H4428" Mordecai|strong="H4782", ‘Why|strong="H4069" do|strong="H6213" you|strong="H4428" disobey|strong="H0854" the|strong="H5674" king’s|strong="H4428" command|strong="H4687"?’ 
\verseNumber{4}When|strong="H3588" they|strong="H1992" had|strong="H1961" spoken|strong="H1697" to|strong="H1961" him|strong="H5046" day|strong="H3117" after|strong="H1961" day|strong="H3117" without|strong="H3808" his|strong="H8085" listening|strong="H8085" to|strong="H1961" them|strong="H1992", they|strong="H1992" informed|strong="H5046" Haman|strong="H2001", to|strong="H1961" see|strong="H7200" whether|strong="H7200" Mordecai’s|strong="H4782" acts|strong="H1697" would|strong="H1697" be|strong="H1961" tolerated, for|strong="H3588" he|strong="H1931" had|strong="H1961" told|strong="H5046" them|strong="H1992" that|strong="H3588" he|strong="H1931" was|strong="H1961" a|strong="H1961" Jew|strong="H3064". 
\verseNumber{5}When|strong="H3588" Haman|strong="H2001" saw|strong="H7200" that|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" did|strong="H7200" not|strong="H3588" bow|strong="H7812" down|strong="H7812" nor|strong="H3588" prostrate|strong="H7812" himself|strong="H7812" before|strong="H7200" him|strong="H7200", he|strong="H3588" was|strong="H2001" furious|strong="H2534". 
\verseNumber{6}But|strong="H3588" it|strong="H3588" seemed|strong="H5869" to|strong="H7971" him|strong="H7971" beneath|strong="H8478" his|strong="H3605" dignity|strong="H7613" to|strong="H7971" lay|strong="H7971" hands|strong="H3027" on|strong="H3027" Mordecai|strong="H4782" alone|strong="H0905", for|strong="H3588" they|strong="H3588" had|strong="H3588" told|strong="H5046" him|strong="H7971" who|strong="H3605" Mordecai’s|strong="H4782" people|strong="H5971" were|strong="H5971". Instead|strong="H3588" Haman|strong="H2001" sought|strong="H1245" to|strong="H7971" destroy|strong="H8045" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" of|strong="H3027" Mordecai|strong="H4782", all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" throughout|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" kingdom|strong="H4438" of|strong="H3027" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{7}In|strong="H8141" the|strong="H6440" first|strong="H7223" month|strong="H2320" (the|strong="H6440" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" Nisan|strong="H5212") in|strong="H8141" the|strong="H6440" twelfth|strong="H8147" year|strong="H8141" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" reign|strong="H3117" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", Haman|strong="H2001" had|strong="H4428" “pur|strong="H6332"” (which|strong="H1931" means|strong="H3027" “lot|strong="H1486"”) cast|strong="H5307" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440" to|strong="H6440" determine|strong="H7200" the|strong="H6440" best|strong="H2459" day|strong="H3117" and|strong="H4428" best|strong="H2459" month|strong="H2320" for|strong="H6440" his|strong="H6440" actions|strong="H5949". The|strong="H6440" lot|strong="H1486" fell|strong="H5307" on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6440" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" twelfth|strong="H8147" month|strong="H2320" – the|strong="H6440" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" Adar|strong="H0143". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{8}So|strong="H6213" Haman|strong="H2001" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6213" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", ‘There|strong="H3426" is|strong="H3426" a|strong="H6213" certain|strong="H0259" people|strong="H5971" scattered|strong="H6340" among|strong="H5971" the|strong="H3605" peoples|strong="H5971" in|strong="H6213" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H4428" your|strong="H3605" kingdom|strong="H4438", whose|strong="H3605" laws|strong="H1881" differ from|strong="H5971" those|strong="H3605" of|strong="H4428" every|strong="H3605" other|strong="H3605" and|strong="H4428" who|strong="H3605" do|strong="H6213" not|strong="H6213" keep|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" laws|strong="H1881". Therefore|strong="H5971" it|strong="H6213" is|strong="H3426" not|strong="H6213" right|strong="H3225" for|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" tolerate|strong="H3201" them|strong="H6213". 
\verseNumber{9}If|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5921" seems|strong="H3190" best|strong="H2459" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428", let|strong="H7971" an|strong="H6213" order|strong="H3027" be|strong="H3027" given|strong="H3027" to|strong="H6213" destroy|strong="H6213" them|strong="H5921", and|strong="H3701" I|strong="H5921" will|strong="H4428" pay|strong="H8254" ten|strong="H6235" thousand|strong="H0505" silver|strong="H3701" coins into|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" royal|strong="H4428" treasury|strong="H0214".’ 
\verseNumber{10}So|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" took|strong="H5493" off|strong="H5493" his|strong="H5414" signet|strong="H2885" ring|strong="H2885" from|strong="H5493" his|strong="H5414" hand|strong="H3027" and|strong="H1121" gave|strong="H5414" it|strong="H5414" to|strong="H5921" Haman|strong="H2001" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Hammedatha|strong="H4099" the|strong="H5921" Agagite|strong="H0091", the|strong="H5921" enemy|strong="H6887" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064". 
\verseNumber{11}‘The|strong="H5414" money|strong="H3701" is|strong="H2896" yours|strong="H5414",’ the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6213" Haman|strong="H2001", ‘and|strong="H3701" the|strong="H5414" people|strong="H5971" also|strong="H6213" to|strong="H6213" do|strong="H6213" with|strong="H6213" them|strong="H5414" as|strong="H6213" you|strong="H5414" wish|strong="H2896".’ 
\verseNumber{12}And|strong="H4428" so|strong="H7121", on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" first|strong="H7223" month|strong="H2320", the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" secretaries|strong="H5613" were|strong="H5971" summoned|strong="H7121" and|strong="H4428" as|strong="H3117" Haman|strong="H2001" instructed|strong="H6680" an|strong="H7121" edict|strong="H3791" was|strong="H8034" issued|strong="H6680" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" satraps|strong="H0324" and|strong="H4428" provincial governors|strong="H6346" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" rulers|strong="H8269" of|strong="H4428" each|strong="H3605" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" peoples|strong="H5971" in|strong="H5921" their|strong="H3605" own|strong="H5971" script|strong="H3791" and|strong="H4428" their|strong="H3605" own|strong="H5971" language|strong="H3956". The|strong="H3605" edict|strong="H3791" was|strong="H8034" written|strong="H3789" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" name|strong="H8034" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" and|strong="H4428" sealed|strong="H2856" with|strong="H5921" his|strong="H3605" ring|strong="H2885". 
\verseNumber{13}Dispatches were|strong="H3117" sent|strong="H7971" by|strong="H3027" couriers|strong="H7323" to|strong="H5704" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082", saying|strong="H0559": Destroy|strong="H8045", kill|strong="H2026", put|strong="H7971" an|strong="H7971" end|strong="H7093" to|strong="H5704" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", young|strong="H5288" and|strong="H7971" old|strong="H2205", little|strong="H2945" children|strong="H2945" and|strong="H7971" women|strong="H2205", on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3605" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" twelfth|strong="H8147" month|strong="H2320", and|strong="H7971" plunder|strong="H7998" their|strong="H3605" possessions|strong="H7998". 
\verseNumber{14}A|strong="H1961" copy|strong="H6572" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3605" edict|strong="H1881" was|strong="H1961" to|strong="H1961" be|strong="H1961" published|strong="H1540" as|strong="H3117" a|strong="H1961" decree|strong="H1881" in|strong="H3117" every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082" – publicly|strong="H3318" displayed|strong="H5414" so|strong="H1961" that|strong="H5971" everyone|strong="H3605" might|strong="H5971" be|strong="H1961" ready|strong="H6264" for|strong="H3117" that|strong="H5971" day|strong="H3117". 
\verseNumber{15}By|strong="H3318" command|strong="H1697" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" couriers|strong="H7323" raced off|strong="H5414", and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" edict|strong="H1697" was|strong="H1697" published|strong="H1540" in|strong="H3427" Susa|strong="H7800" itself|strong="H0905". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
Then|strong="H3318" the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" sat|strong="H3427" down|strong="H3427" to|strong="H3318" drink|strong="H8354", but|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" city|strong="H5892" of|strong="H4428" Susa|strong="H7800" was|strong="H1697" in|strong="H3427" turmoil|strong="H2001". 

\BibleSectionHeading{A Queen’s Efforts to Save Her People }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{A Queen’s Efforts to Save Her People }
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\chapterNumber{4}When|strong="H3318" Mordecai|strong="H4782" learned|strong="H3045" all|strong="H3605" that|strong="H3045" had|strong="H4782" been|strong="H3605" done|strong="H6213", he|strong="H6213" tore|strong="H7167" his|strong="H3605" clothes|strong="H3847" and|strong="H1419" put|strong="H3847" on|strong="H3847" sackcloth|strong="H8242" and|strong="H1419" strewed ashes|strong="H0665" on|strong="H3847" his|strong="H3605" head|strong="H7218", and|strong="H1419" went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" into|strong="H8432" the|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" and|strong="H1419" raised|strong="H8432" a|strong="H6213" loud|strong="H1419" and|strong="H1419" bitter|strong="H4751" cry|strong="H2199" of|strong="H5892" lamentation|strong="H7015". 
\verseNumber{2}He|strong="H3588" went|strong="H4428" as|strong="H5704" far|strong="H5704" as|strong="H5704" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179", but|strong="H3588" no|strong="H6440" one|strong="H3588" could|strong="H3201" enter|strong="H0935" the|strong="H6440" gate|strong="H8179" clothed|strong="H3830" with|strong="H6440" sackcloth|strong="H8242". 
\verseNumber{3}In|strong="H4428" every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082", wherever|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" command|strong="H1697" and|strong="H4428" decree|strong="H1881" went|strong="H4428", there|strong="H3605" was|strong="H1697" great|strong="H1419" mourning|strong="H4553", fasting|strong="H6685", weeping|strong="H1065", and|strong="H4428" wailing|strong="H4553" among|strong="H7227" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064". Many|strong="H7227" of|strong="H4428" them|strong="H5060" sat|strong="H3427" in|strong="H4428" sackcloth|strong="H8242" and|strong="H4428" ashes|strong="H0665". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{4}When|strong="H7971" Esther’s|strong="H0635" maids|strong="H5291" and|strong="H7971" attendants|strong="H5650" told|strong="H5046" her|strong="H7971" about|strong="H5921" Mordecai’s|strong="H4782" behaviour|strong="H2940", she|strong="H5921" was|strong="H5291" greatly|strong="H3966" troubled|strong="H3966". She|strong="H5921" sent|strong="H7971" garments|strong="H0899" for|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782" to|strong="H7971" put|strong="H3847" on|strong="H5921", so|strong="H7971" that|strong="H3808" he|strong="H3808" could|strong="H3201" take|strong="H5493" off|strong="H5493" his|strong="H7971" sack-cloth, but|strong="H3808" he|strong="H3808" would|strong="H5493" not|strong="H3808" accept|strong="H6901" them|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{5}So|strong="H7121" Esther|strong="H0635" called|strong="H7121" Hathach|strong="H2047", one|strong="H2088" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" eunuchs|strong="H5631" whom|strong="H6440" he|strong="H5921" had|strong="H4428" appointed|strong="H5975" to|strong="H5921" attend|strong="H6440" her|strong="H5921", and|strong="H4428" ordered|strong="H6680" him|strong="H6440" to|strong="H5921" go|strong="H4428" to|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782" to|strong="H5921" learn|strong="H3045" what|strong="H4100" it|strong="H7121" all|strong="H3045" meant|strong="H2803" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" reason|strong="H6440" for|strong="H5921" it|strong="H7121". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{6}So|strong="H3318" Hathach|strong="H2047" went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" to|strong="H3318" Mordecai|strong="H4782", to|strong="H3318" the|strong="H6440" city|strong="H5892" square|strong="H7339" in|strong="H4428" front|strong="H6440" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179". 
\verseNumber{7}Mordecai|strong="H4782" told|strong="H5046" him|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" that|strong="H3605" had|strong="H4428" happened|strong="H7136" to|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921" and|strong="H3701" the|strong="H3605" exact|strong="H6575" amount|strong="H6575" of|strong="H4428" money|strong="H3701" that|strong="H3605" Haman|strong="H2001" had|strong="H4428" promised|strong="H1696" to|strong="H5921" pay|strong="H8254" into|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" treasury|strong="H0214" for|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" destruction|strong="H7667" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064". 
\verseNumber{8}Also|strong="H4428" he|strong="H5414" gave|strong="H5414" him|strong="H5414" a|strong="H5414" copy|strong="H6572" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" decree|strong="H1881" to|strong="H5921" destroy|strong="H8045" them|strong="H5414", that|strong="H5971" had|strong="H4428" been|strong="H5046" published|strong="H1540" in|strong="H5921" Susa|strong="H7800", to|strong="H5921" show|strong="H7200" to|strong="H5921" Esther|strong="H0635" for|strong="H5921" her|strong="H5414" information|strong="H1697". He|strong="H5414" also|strong="H4428" told|strong="H5046" her|strong="H5414" to|strong="H5921" go|strong="H5971" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" implore|strong="H2603" his|strong="H5414" mercy|strong="H2603" and|strong="H4428" to|strong="H5921" plead|strong="H1245" with|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5414" in|strong="H5921" behalf|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" her|strong="H5414" people|strong="H5971". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{9}When|strong="H3588" Hathach|strong="H2047" came|strong="H1697" and|strong="H1697" told|strong="H5046" Esther|strong="H0635" what|strong="H1697" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4782" said|strong="H1697", 
\verseNumber{10}she|strong="H1931" instructed|strong="H6680" Hathach|strong="H2047" to|strong="H6680" go|strong="H1980" and|strong="H2047" say|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6680" Mordecai|strong="H4782", 
\verseNumber{11}‘All|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" courtiers and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082" know|strong="H3045" that|strong="H3045" for|strong="H7121" every|strong="H3605" man|strong="H4191" or|strong="H3808" woman|strong="H2088" who|strong="H3605" goes|strong="H1980" to|strong="H4191" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" into|strong="H3045" the|strong="H3605" inner|strong="H6442" court|strong="H2691" without|strong="H3808" being|strong="H5971" called|strong="H7121" there|strong="H2088" is|strong="H2088" one|strong="H2088" penalty|strong="H1780", death|strong="H4191", unless|strong="H3808" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" holds|strong="H3447" out|strong="H3447" the|strong="H3605" golden|strong="H2091" sceptre|strong="H8275" signifying that|strong="H3045" they|strong="H3117" may|strong="H5971" live|strong="H2421". It|strong="H7121" has|strong="H4428" been|strong="H5971" thirty|strong="H7970" days|strong="H3117" since|strong="H3117" I|strong="H3117" have|strong="H5971" been|strong="H5971" called|strong="H7121" to|strong="H4191" go|strong="H5971" in|strong="H4428" to|strong="H4191" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{12}When|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" was|strong="H1697" told|strong="H5046" what|strong="H1697" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4782" said|strong="H1697", 
\verseNumber{13}he|strong="H3605" sent|strong="H7725" back|strong="H7725" this|strong="H7725" reply|strong="H7725" to|strong="H7725" Esther|strong="H0635", ‘Don’t|strong="H0408" imagine|strong="H1819" that|strong="H3605" you|strong="H3605" alone|strong="H4422" of|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" will|strong="H4428" escape|strong="H4422" because|strong="H3605" you|strong="H3605" belong|strong="H1961" to|strong="H7725" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" household|strong="H1004". 
\verseNumber{14}If|strong="H3588" you|strong="H3588" persist|strong="H5975" in|strong="H1004" remaining|strong="H8300" silent|strong="H2790" at|strong="H1004" this|strong="H2063" time|strong="H6256", relief|strong="H7305" and|strong="H1004" deliverance|strong="H2020" will|strong="H4310" come|strong="H5060" to|strong="H6256" the|strong="H3588" Jews|strong="H3064" from|strong="H3064" another|strong="H0312" quarter|strong="H6285", but|strong="H3588" you|strong="H3588" and|strong="H1004" your|strong="H3045" family|strong="H1004" will|strong="H4310" perish|strong="H0006". Who|strong="H4310" knows|strong="H3045"? Maybe|strong="H0194" you|strong="H3588" have|strong="H3045" been|strong="H1961" raised|strong="H5975" to|strong="H6256" the|strong="H3588" throne|strong="H4438" for|strong="H3588" a|strong="H3588" time|strong="H6256" like|strong="H1004" this|strong="H2063"!’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{15}Then|strong="H7725" Esther|strong="H0635" sent|strong="H7725" this|strong="H7725" message|strong="H1697" to|strong="H7725" Mordecai|strong="H4782": 
\verseNumber{16}‘Go|strong="H3212", gather|strong="H3664" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" in|strong="H5921" Susa|strong="H7800" and|strong="H4428" fast|strong="H6684" for|strong="H5921" me|strong="H5921". Don’t|strong="H3808" eat|strong="H0398" nor|strong="H3808" drink|strong="H8354" anything|strong="H3605" for|strong="H5921" three|strong="H7969" days|strong="H3117" and|strong="H4428" nights|strong="H3915". My|strong="H3605" maids|strong="H5291" and|strong="H4428" I|strong="H3117" will|strong="H4428" fast|strong="H6684" as|strong="H3117" well|strong="H1571". Then|strong="H3651" I|strong="H3117" will|strong="H4428" go|strong="H3212" in|strong="H5921" to|strong="H3212" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428", although|strong="H3808" it|strong="H5921" is|strong="H3117" contrary|strong="H5921" to|strong="H3212" the|strong="H3605" law|strong="H1881", and|strong="H4428" if|strong="H3651" I|strong="H3117" die|strong="H4191", I|strong="H3117" die|strong="H4191".’ 
\verseNumber{17}Mordecai|strong="H4782" did|strong="H6213" everything|strong="H3605" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4782" directed|strong="H5090". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\chapterNumber{5}On|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" third|strong="H7992" day|strong="H3117", Esther|strong="H0635" put|strong="H3847" on|strong="H5921" her|strong="H5921" regalia and|strong="H4428" stood|strong="H5975" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H5921" inner|strong="H6442" court|strong="H2691" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" royal|strong="H4438" palace|strong="H1004" opposite|strong="H5227" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" house|strong="H1004". The|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" was|strong="H1961" sitting|strong="H3427" on|strong="H5921" his|strong="H5921" throne|strong="H3678" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H5921" palace|strong="H1004", opposite|strong="H5227" the|strong="H5921" entrance|strong="H6607". 
\verseNumber{2}When|strong="H1961" he|strong="H3027" saw|strong="H7200" Esther|strong="H0635" the|strong="H7200" queen|strong="H4436" standing|strong="H5975" in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H7200" court|strong="H2691", she|strong="H1931" won|strong="H1589" his|strong="H5375" favour|strong="H2580", and|strong="H4428" he|strong="H3027" held|strong="H4428" out|strong="H7200" to|strong="H1961" her|strong="H5375" the|strong="H7200" golden|strong="H2091" sceptre|strong="H8275" that|strong="H7200" was|strong="H1961" in|strong="H4428" his|strong="H5375" hand|strong="H3027". So|strong="H1961" Esther|strong="H0635" approached|strong="H7126" and|strong="H4428" touched|strong="H5060" the|strong="H7200" top|strong="H7218" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H7200" sceptre|strong="H8275". 
\verseNumber{3}Then|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H5704" her|strong="H5414", ‘What|strong="H4100" is|strong="H4100" it|strong="H5414", Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635"? Whatever|strong="H4100" your|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246" is|strong="H4100", it|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H5414" granted|strong="H5414", even|strong="H5704" if|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" is|strong="H4100" the|strong="H5414" half|strong="H2677" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" kingdom|strong="H4438".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{4}‘If|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5921" seems|strong="H3190" best|strong="H2459" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428",’ Esther|strong="H0635" said|strong="H0559", ‘let|strong="H7971" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" come|strong="H0935" today|strong="H3117" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" banquet|strong="H4960" that|strong="H3117" I|strong="H3117" have|strong="H3117" prepared|strong="H6213" for|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921".’ 
\verseNumber{5}Then|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" ordered|strong="H6680", ‘Bring|strong="H6213" Haman|strong="H2001" quickly|strong="H4116", so|strong="H6213" that|strong="H1697" Esther’s|strong="H0635" wish|strong="H1697" may|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1697" gratified|strong="H4390".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
So|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" went|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" banquet|strong="H4960" that|strong="H1697" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4428" prepared|strong="H6213". 
\verseNumber{6}While|strong="H5704" they|strong="H5704" were|strong="H4428" drinking|strong="H4960" wine|strong="H3196", the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H5704" Esther|strong="H0635", ‘Whatever|strong="H4100" your|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596" is|strong="H4100", it|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H5414" granted|strong="H5414". Your|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246", it|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H5414" done|strong="H6213" – even|strong="H5704" if|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" takes|strong="H5414" half|strong="H2677" of|strong="H4428" my|strong="H5414" kingdom|strong="H4438".’ 
\verseNumber{7}Esther|strong="H0635" answered|strong="H6030", 
\verseNumber{8}‘If|strong="H0518" I|strong="H5414" have|strong="H5869" won|strong="H1589" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" favour|strong="H2580" and|strong="H4428" if|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" seems|strong="H5869" best|strong="H5869" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" grant|strong="H5414" my|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596" and|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" accede to|strong="H6213" my|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246", my|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596" and|strong="H4428" my|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246" are|strong="H5869" that|strong="H1697" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" come|strong="H4279" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" banquet|strong="H4960" which|strong="H1697" I|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" prepare|strong="H6213" for|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5414". Tomorrow|strong="H4279" I|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" answer|strong="H1697" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" question|strong="H1697" as|strong="H1697" he|strong="H6213" wishes|strong="H2654".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{9}Haman|strong="H2001" went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" that|strong="H7200" day|strong="H3117" joyful|strong="H8056" and|strong="H6965" elated, but|strong="H3808" when|strong="H3117" he|strong="H1931" saw|strong="H7200" Mordecai|strong="H4782" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179" and|strong="H6965" noticed|strong="H7200" that|strong="H7200" he|strong="H1931" neither|strong="H3808" stood|strong="H6965" up|strong="H6965" nor|strong="H3808" moved|strong="H2111" for|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921", he|strong="H1931" was|strong="H3820" furiously|strong="H2534" angry|strong="H2534" with|strong="H4390" Mordecai|strong="H4782". 
\verseNumber{10}Nevertheless|strong="H0389" Haman|strong="H2001" restrained|strong="H3607" himself|strong="H5315" and|strong="H7971" went|strong="H1004" home|strong="H1004". He|strong="H1004" called|strong="H7121" together|strong="H3162" his|strong="H7971" friends|strong="H7453" and|strong="H7971" Zeresh|strong="H2238" his|strong="H7971" wife|strong="H0802" 
\verseNumber{11}and|strong="H1121" recounted|strong="H5608" to|strong="H5921" them|strong="H1992" the|strong="H3605" greatness|strong="H7230" of|strong="H1121" his|strong="H3605" wealth|strong="H6239", how|strong="H1431" many|strong="H7230" children|strong="H1121" he|strong="H3605" had|strong="H4428", and|strong="H1121" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" ways|strong="H1870" in|strong="H5921" which|strong="H1992" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" had|strong="H4428" honoured|strong="H3513" him|strong="H5921", and|strong="H1121" how|strong="H1431" he|strong="H3605" had|strong="H4428" promoted|strong="H1431" him|strong="H5921" above|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" officials|strong="H8269" and|strong="H1121" the|strong="H3605" royal|strong="H4428" courtiers. 
\verseNumber{12}‘What|strong="H6213" is|strong="H1571" more|strong="H3808",’ Haman|strong="H2001" said|strong="H7121", ‘Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635" brought|strong="H6213" no|strong="H3808" one|strong="H3808" in|strong="H6213" with|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3588" king|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3588" banquet|strong="H4960" which|strong="H4960" she|strong="H3588" had|strong="H4428" prepared|strong="H6213" except|strong="H3588" me|strong="H7121", and|strong="H4428" tomorrow|strong="H4279" also|strong="H1571" I|strong="H3588" am|strong="H1961" invited|strong="H7121" by|strong="H7121" her|strong="H7121" along|strong="H5973" with|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3588" king|strong="H4428". 
\verseNumber{13}Yet|strong="H3605" all|strong="H3605" this|strong="H2088" does|strong="H2088" not|strong="H2088" satisfy|strong="H7737" me|strong="H7200" as|strong="H3427" long|strong="H3605" as|strong="H3427" I|strong="H7200" see|strong="H7200" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H3605" Jew|strong="H3064" sitting|strong="H3427" at|strong="H3427" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{14}Then|strong="H6213" Zeresh|strong="H2238" his|strong="H3605" wife|strong="H0802" and|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" friends|strong="H7453" said|strong="H1697" to|strong="H6213" him|strong="H6440", ‘Let|strong="H8056" a|strong="H6213" gallows|strong="H6086" seventy-five|strong="H2572" feet|strong="H7272" high|strong="H1364" be|strong="H1697" erected|strong="H6965", and|strong="H4428" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" morning|strong="H1242" speak|strong="H1697" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" let|strong="H8056" Mordecai|strong="H4782" be|strong="H1697" hanged|strong="H8518" on|strong="H5921" it|strong="H5921". Then|strong="H6213" go|strong="H3190" merrily|strong="H8056" with|strong="H5973" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" banquet|strong="H4960".’ The|strong="H3605" advice|strong="H1697" pleased|strong="H3190" Haman|strong="H2001", and|strong="H4428" so|strong="H6213" he|strong="H6213" had|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" gallows|strong="H6086" erected|strong="H6965". 

\BibleSectionHeading{Downfall of a Conspirator }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{Downfall of a Conspirator }
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\chapterNumber{6}On|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3117" night|strong="H3915" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" was|strong="H1961" unable|strong="H3808" to|strong="H1961" sleep|strong="H8142", so|strong="H1961" he|strong="H1931" gave|strong="H7121" orders|strong="H1697" to|strong="H1961" bring|strong="H1961" the|strong="H6440" books|strong="H5612" that|strong="H3117" recorded|strong="H3789" memorable|strong="H2146" deeds|strong="H1697", and|strong="H4428" they|strong="H3117" were|strong="H1961" read|strong="H7121" before|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428". 
\verseNumber{2}It|strong="H5921" was|strong="H4428" found|strong="H4672" recorded|strong="H3789" how|strong="H4100" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4428" furnished|strong="H2836" information|strong="H1697" regarding|strong="H5921" Bigthan|strong="H0904" and|strong="H7971" Teresh|strong="H8657", two|strong="H8147" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" attendants|strong="H5650" who|strong="H8104" guarded|strong="H8104" the|strong="H5921" entrance|strong="H6607" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" palace|strong="H1004", who|strong="H8104" had|strong="H4428" attempted|strong="H3909" to|strong="H7971" kill|strong="H2026" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325". 
\verseNumber{3}‘What|strong="H4100" honour|strong="H3366" and|strong="H4428" dignity|strong="H1420" have|strong="H5288" been|strong="H3808" conferred|strong="H1697" on|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782" for|strong="H5921" this|strong="H2088"?’ the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" asked|strong="H4100". When|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" pages who|strong="H5288" waited|strong="H8334" on|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921" replied|strong="H0559" ‘Nothing|strong="H3808" has|strong="H4428" been|strong="H3808" done|strong="H6213" for|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921",’ 
\verseNumber{4}the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559", ‘Who|strong="H4310" is|strong="H4310" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" court|strong="H2691"?’ Now|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" had|strong="H4428" just|strong="H3512" entered|strong="H0935" the|strong="H5921" outer|strong="H2435" court|strong="H2691" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" house|strong="H1004" to|strong="H5921" speak|strong="H1696" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" about|strong="H5921" hanging|strong="H8518" Mordecai|strong="H4782" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" gallows|strong="H6086" that|strong="H4428" he|strong="H1004" had|strong="H4428" prepared|strong="H3559" for|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{5}So|strong="H5975" the|strong="H5975" king’s|strong="H4428" pages said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H4428" him|strong="H5975", ‘Haman|strong="H2001" is|strong="H2009" standing|strong="H5975" there|strong="H2009", in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5975" court|strong="H2691".’ The|strong="H5975" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559", ‘Let|strong="H7971" him|strong="H5975" enter|strong="H5975".’ 
\verseNumber{6}So|strong="H6213" Haman|strong="H2001" entered|strong="H0935", and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6213" him|strong="H6213", ‘What|strong="H4100" should|strong="H4100" be|strong="H3820" done|strong="H6213" for|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" man|strong="H3820" whom|strong="H4310" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" wishes|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3366"?’ Haman|strong="H2001" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6213" himself|strong="H3820", ‘Whom|strong="H4310" besides|strong="H4480" me|strong="H4480" could|strong="H4310" the|strong="H6213" king|strong="H4428" wish|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3366"?’ 
\verseNumber{7}So|strong="H3651" he|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H4428" the|strong="H2001" king|strong="H4428", ‘For|strong="H4428" the|strong="H2001" man|strong="H0376" whom|strong="H0834" the|strong="H2001" king|strong="H4428" wishes|strong="H2654" to|strong="H4428" honour|strong="H3366" 
\verseNumber{8}let|strong="H5414" a|strong="H5414" royal|strong="H4438" garment|strong="H3830" be|strong="H5414" brought|strong="H5414", which|strong="H5483" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" has|strong="H4428" worn|strong="H3847", and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" horse|strong="H5483" on|strong="H5921" which|strong="H5483" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" has|strong="H4428" ridden|strong="H7392" and|strong="H4428" on|strong="H5921" whose|strong="H0834" head|strong="H7218" a|strong="H5414" royal|strong="H4438" diadem|strong="H5921" has|strong="H4428" been|strong="H1961" placed|strong="H5414". 
\verseNumber{9}Then|strong="H5414" let|strong="H5414" the|strong="H6440" garment|strong="H3830" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" horse|strong="H5483" be|strong="H3027" placed|strong="H5414" in|strong="H5921" charge|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" one|strong="H6213" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" noble|strong="H6579" officials|strong="H8269". Let|strong="H5414" him|strong="H5414" clothe|strong="H3847" the|strong="H6440" man|strong="H6440" whom|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" wishes|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3366" and|strong="H4428" let|strong="H5414" him|strong="H5414" lead|strong="H7392" that|strong="H5414" man|strong="H6440" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" horse|strong="H5483" through|strong="H3027" the|strong="H6440" city|strong="H5892" square|strong="H7339", proclaiming|strong="H7121" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H5414", “This|strong="H6213" is|strong="H3027" what|strong="H6213" is|strong="H3027" done|strong="H6213" for|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" man|strong="H6440" whom|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" wishes|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3366".”’ 
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\verseNumber{10}Then|strong="H1696" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H1696" to|strong="H1696" Haman|strong="H2001", ‘Make|strong="H6213" haste|strong="H4116" and|strong="H4428" take|strong="H3947" the|strong="H3605" garment|strong="H3830" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" horse|strong="H5483", as|strong="H1697" you|strong="H3605" have|strong="H1697" said|strong="H1696", and|strong="H4428" do|strong="H6213" this|strong="H3651" to|strong="H1696" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H3605" Jew|strong="H3064", who|strong="H3605" sits|strong="H3427" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179". Omit|strong="H1639" nothing|strong="H1697" of|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" you|strong="H3605" have|strong="H1697" said|strong="H1696".’ 
\verseNumber{11}So|strong="H6213" Haman|strong="H2001" took|strong="H3947" the|strong="H6440" garment|strong="H3830" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" horse|strong="H5483" and|strong="H4428" clothed|strong="H3847" Mordecai|strong="H4782", and|strong="H4428" made|strong="H6213" him|strong="H6440" ride|strong="H7392" through|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6440" city|strong="H5892" square|strong="H7339" and|strong="H4428" proclaimed|strong="H7121" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440", ‘This|strong="H6213" is|strong="H5892" what|strong="H6213" is|strong="H5892" done|strong="H6213" for|strong="H7121" the|strong="H6440" man|strong="H6440" whom|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" wishes|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" honour|strong="H3366".’ 
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\verseNumber{12}Mordecai|strong="H4782" returned|strong="H7725" to|strong="H7725" the|strong="H7725" king’s|strong="H4428" gate|strong="H8179", but|strong="H7725" Haman|strong="H2001" hurried|strong="H1765" to|strong="H7725" his|strong="H7725" house|strong="H1004", mourning|strong="H0060", with|strong="H1004" his|strong="H7725" head|strong="H7218" covered|strong="H2645". 
\verseNumber{13}Haman|strong="H2001" recounted|strong="H5608" to|strong="H3201" Zeresh|strong="H2238" his|strong="H3605" wife|strong="H0802" and|strong="H6440" to|strong="H3201" all|strong="H3605" his|strong="H3605" friends|strong="H7453" everything|strong="H3605" that|strong="H3588" had|strong="H3588" happened|strong="H7136" to|strong="H3201" him|strong="H6440". Then|strong="H5307" his|strong="H3605" wise|strong="H2450" men|strong="H2450" and|strong="H6440" Zeresh|strong="H2238" his|strong="H3605" wife|strong="H0802" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H3201" him|strong="H6440", ‘If|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" before|strong="H6440" whom|strong="H6440" you|strong="H3588" have|strong="H3605" already|strong="H3528" been|strong="H3808" humiliated|strong="H6440" is|strong="H3605" of|strong="H6440" the|strong="H3605" Jewish|strong="H3064" people|strong="H3808", you|strong="H3588" can|strong="H3201" do|strong="H3201" nothing|strong="H3808" against|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440" but|strong="H3588" will|strong="H3808" surely|strong="H3588" fall|strong="H5307" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440".’ 
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\verseNumber{14}While|strong="H5750" they|strong="H6213" were|strong="H4428" still|strong="H5750" talking|strong="H1696" with|strong="H5973" him|strong="H6213", the|strong="H6213" king’s|strong="H4428" attendants|strong="H5650" came|strong="H5060" and|strong="H4428" quickly|strong="H4116" took|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" to|strong="H1696" the|strong="H6213" banquet|strong="H4960" that|strong="H4428" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4428" prepared|strong="H6213". 
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\chapterNumber{7}So|strong="H3651" the|strong="H5973" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" went|strong="H4428" to|strong="H4428" drink|strong="H8354" with|strong="H5973" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635". 
\verseNumber{2}As|strong="H5704" they|strong="H3117" were|strong="H3117" drinking|strong="H4960" wine|strong="H3196" on|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3117" second|strong="H8145" day|strong="H3117", the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" again|strong="H8145" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H5704" Esther|strong="H0635", ‘Whatever|strong="H4100" your|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596" is|strong="H4100", Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635", it|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1571" granted|strong="H5414" to|strong="H5704" you|strong="H5414". Whatever|strong="H4100" you|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246" it|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1571" done|strong="H6213", even|strong="H1571" if|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" takes|strong="H5414" half|strong="H2677" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" kingdom|strong="H4438".’ 
\verseNumber{3}Then|strong="H6030" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635" answered|strong="H6030", ‘Your|strong="H5414" Majesty|strong="H1926", if|strong="H0518" I|strong="H5414" have|strong="H5869" won|strong="H1589" your|strong="H5414" favour|strong="H2580", and|strong="H6030" if|strong="H0518" it|strong="H5414" seems|strong="H5869" best|strong="H5869" to|strong="H5921" Your|strong="H5414" Majesty|strong="H1926", let|strong="H5414" my|strong="H5414" life|strong="H5315" be|strong="H5315" given|strong="H5414" me|strong="H5414" as|strong="H5315" my|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596", and|strong="H6030" my|strong="H5414" people|strong="H5971" as|strong="H5315" my|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246", 
\verseNumber{4}for|strong="H3588" I|strong="H3588" and|strong="H4428" my|strong="H3588" people|strong="H5971" have|strong="H5971" been|strong="H5971" sold|strong="H4376" to|strong="H4428" be|strong="H4428" destroyed|strong="H8045", killed|strong="H2026", and|strong="H4428" completely|strong="H8045" annihilated|strong="H2763"! If|strong="H3588" we|strong="H3588" had|strong="H4428" been|strong="H5971" merely|strong="H6680" sold|strong="H4376" into|strong="H4376" slavery|strong="H5650" I|strong="H3588" would|strong="H5971" not|strong="H3588" have|strong="H5971" disturbed|strong="H1993" your|strong="H3588" peace|strong="H2790", because|strong="H3588" such|strong="H2088" a|strong="H3588" fate|strong="H4745" would|strong="H5971" not|strong="H3588" have|strong="H5971" affected the|strong="H3588" interests of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3588" king|strong="H4428".’ 
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\verseNumber{5}Then|strong="H2088" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" said|strong="H3651" to|strong="H6213" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635", ‘Who|strong="H4310" is|strong="H2088" he|strong="H1931" and|strong="H4428" where|strong="H2088" is|strong="H2088" he|strong="H1931" whose|strong="H4310" heart|strong="H3820" has|strong="H4310" impelled|strong="H1765" him|strong="H6213" to|strong="H6213" do|strong="H6213" this|strong="H2088"?’ 
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\verseNumber{6}‘A|strong="H2088" foe|strong="H6862", an|strong="H6440" enemy|strong="H6862": this|strong="H2088" wicked|strong="H7451" Haman|strong="H2001".’ Esther|strong="H0635" answered|strong="H6030". Haman|strong="H2001" shrank|strong="H5384" in|strong="H4428" terror|strong="H2851" before|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" queen|strong="H4436". 
\verseNumber{7}In|strong="H5921" his|strong="H5921" wrath|strong="H2534" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" rose|strong="H6965" from|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" place|strong="H5975" where|strong="H5921" he|strong="H3588" was|strong="H4428" drinking|strong="H4960" wine|strong="H3196" and|strong="H6965" went|strong="H4428" into|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" palace|strong="H1055" garden|strong="H1594". Haman|strong="H2001" stayed|strong="H5975" to|strong="H5921" beg|strong="H1245" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635" for|strong="H3588" his|strong="H5921" life|strong="H5315", for|strong="H3588" he|strong="H3588" saw|strong="H7200" that|strong="H3588" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" was|strong="H4428" fully|strong="H5921" determined|strong="H3615" to|strong="H5921" bring|strong="H7451" calamity|strong="H7451" upon|strong="H5921" him|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{8}As|strong="H1697" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" returned|strong="H7725" from|strong="H7725" the|strong="H6440" palace|strong="H1004" garden|strong="H1594" to|strong="H7725" the|strong="H6440" banquet|strong="H4960" hall|strong="H1004", Haman|strong="H2001" had|strong="H4428" flung himself|strong="H6440" on|strong="H5921" Esther’s|strong="H0635" couch|strong="H4296". The|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" cried|strong="H7121", ‘Is|strong="H1571" he|strong="H1004" going|strong="H3318" to|strong="H7725" rape|strong="H3533" my|strong="H5921" queen|strong="H4436" while|strong="H5973" I|strong="H5921" am|strong="H1961" present|strong="H5307" in|strong="H5921" my|strong="H5921" own|strong="H5973" house|strong="H1004"?’ 
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As|strong="H1697" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" spoke|strong="H1697" these|strong="H6440" words|strong="H1697", the|strong="H6440" attendants|strong="H5650" covered|strong="H2645" Haman’s|strong="H2001" face|strong="H6440" 
\verseNumber{9}and|strong="H4428" Harbonah|strong="H2726", one|strong="H4480" of|strong="H4428" those|strong="H4480" who|strong="H4428" waited|strong="H5975" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428", said|strong="H1696", ‘There|strong="H2009" are|strong="H1004" the|strong="H6440" gallows|strong="H6086", seventy-five|strong="H2572" feet|strong="H7272" high|strong="H1364", which|strong="H1004" Hainan erected|strong="H5975" for|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782", who|strong="H4428" spoke|strong="H1696" a|strong="H6213" good|strong="H2896" word|strong="H1696" in|strong="H5921" behalf|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428", standing|strong="H5975" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" house|strong="H1004" of|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001"!’ The|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H1696" ‘Hang|strong="H8518" him|strong="H6440" on|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5921".’ 
\verseNumber{10}So|strong="H5921" they|strong="H5921" hanged|strong="H8518" Haman|strong="H2001" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" gallows|strong="H6086" that|strong="H4428" he|strong="H5921" had|strong="H4428" prepared|strong="H3559" for|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782". Then|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" wrath|strong="H2534" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" was|strong="H4428" pacified|strong="H7918". 

\BibleSectionHeading{Deliverance of the Jews }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{Deliverance of the Jews }
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\chapterNumber{8}At|strong="H1004" that|strong="H3588" time|strong="H3117" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" gave|strong="H5414" the|strong="H6440" property|strong="H0272" of|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001" the|strong="H6440" Jews’|strong="H3064" enemy|strong="H6887" to|strong="H5414" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635". Mordecai|strong="H4782" was|strong="H1931" made|strong="H5414" one|strong="H1931" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king’s|strong="H4428" personal|strong="H6440" advisers|strong="H6440", for|strong="H3588" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4428" disclosed|strong="H5046" his|strong="H5414" relationship to|strong="H5414" her|strong="H5414". 
\verseNumber{2}The|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428" also|strong="H4428" drew|strong="H5674" off|strong="H5493" his|strong="H5414" signet|strong="H2885" ring|strong="H2885", which|strong="H1004" he|strong="H1004" had|strong="H4428" taken|strong="H5493" from|strong="H5493" Haman|strong="H2001". He|strong="H1004" gave|strong="H5414" it|strong="H5414" to|strong="H5921" Mordecai|strong="H4782", and|strong="H4428" Esther|strong="H0635" placed|strong="H5414" Mordecai|strong="H4782" in|strong="H5921" charge|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" Haman’s|strong="H2001" property|strong="H0272". 
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\verseNumber{3}Then|strong="H1696" Esther|strong="H0635" sought|strong="H6440" another|strong="H3254" audience|strong="H0241" with|strong="H1696" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" and|strong="H4428" fell|strong="H5307" at|strong="H5921" his|strong="H6440" feet|strong="H7272" and|strong="H4428" with|strong="H1696" tears|strong="H1058" begged|strong="H2603" him|strong="H6440" to|strong="H1696" avert|strong="H5674" the|strong="H6440" evil|strong="H7451" planned|strong="H2803" by|strong="H5921" Haman|strong="H2001" the|strong="H6440" Agagite|strong="H0091" and|strong="H4428" to|strong="H1696" frustrate|strong="H6565" his|strong="H6440" designs|strong="H4284" against|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" Jews|strong="H3064". 
\verseNumber{4}The|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" held|strong="H4428" out|strong="H3447" to|strong="H6440" her|strong="H6965" the|strong="H6440" golden|strong="H2091" sceptre|strong="H8275", and|strong="H6965" she|strong="H6440" arose|strong="H6965" and|strong="H6965" stood|strong="H5975" before|strong="H6440" him|strong="H6440". 
\verseNumber{5}‘If|strong="H1121" it|strong="H5921" seems|strong="H3605" best|strong="H2896" to|strong="H7725" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428",’ she|strong="H5921" said|strong="H1697", ‘and|strong="H1121" if|strong="H1121" I|strong="H5921" have|strong="H5869" won|strong="H1589" his|strong="H3605" favour|strong="H2580" and|strong="H1121" he|strong="H3605" thinks|strong="H8176" it|strong="H5921" right|strong="H3787", and|strong="H1121" if|strong="H1121" I|strong="H5921" please|strong="H2896" him|strong="H6440", let|strong="H7725" written|strong="H3789" orders|strong="H1697" be|strong="H1697" given|strong="H5414" to|strong="H7725" revoke|strong="H7725" the|strong="H3605" dispatches devised|strong="H4284" by|strong="H5921" Haman|strong="H2001" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Hammedatha|strong="H4099" the|strong="H3605" Agagite|strong="H0091", which|strong="H1697" he|strong="H3605" wrote|strong="H3789" ordering|strong="H0559" the|strong="H3605" destruction|strong="H7667" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H3605" are|strong="H1121" in|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082". 
\verseNumber{6}For|strong="H3588" how|strong="H3588" can|strong="H3201" I|strong="H3588" bear|strong="H5375" to|strong="H3201" look|strong="H7200" upon|strong="H7200" the|strong="H7200" evil|strong="H7451" that|strong="H3588" will|strong="H5971" come|strong="H4672" to|strong="H3201" my|strong="H7200" people|strong="H5971"? How|strong="H3588" can|strong="H3201" I|strong="H3588" bear|strong="H5375" to|strong="H3201" see|strong="H7200" their|strong="H7200" destruction|strong="H7451"?’ 
\verseNumber{7}Then|strong="H2009" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H7971" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635" and|strong="H7971" to|strong="H7971" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H5921" Jew|strong="H3064", ‘See|strong="H2009", I|strong="H5414" have|strong="H3027" given|strong="H5414" Esther|strong="H0635" the|strong="H5921" property|strong="H0272" of|strong="H4428" Haman|strong="H2001", and|strong="H7971" they|strong="H5921" have|strong="H3027" hanged|strong="H8518" him|strong="H5414" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" gallows|strong="H6086", because|strong="H5921" he|strong="H1004" laid|strong="H5414" hands|strong="H3027" upon|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064". 
\verseNumber{8}Now|strong="H3588" you|strong="H3588" write|strong="H3789" on|strong="H5921" behalf|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064", as|strong="H3588" seems|strong="H2896" best|strong="H2896" to|strong="H7725" you|strong="H3588", in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" name|strong="H8034" and|strong="H7725" seal|strong="H2856" it|strong="H5921" with|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" signet|strong="H2885" ring|strong="H2885". For|strong="H3588" a|strong="H3588" document|strong="H2856" that|strong="H3588" is|strong="H8034" written|strong="H3789" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" name|strong="H8034" and|strong="H7725" sealed|strong="H2856" with|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" signet|strong="H2885" ring|strong="H2885" cannot|strong="H3808" be|strong="H8034" revoked|strong="H7725".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{9}On|strong="H7121" the|strong="H3605" twenty-third|strong="H6242" day|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" third|strong="H7992" month|strong="H2320" (that|strong="H5971" is|strong="H1931" the|strong="H3605" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" Sivan|strong="H5510"), the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" secretaries|strong="H5613" were|strong="H5971" summoned|strong="H7121" and|strong="H3967" as|strong="H5704" Mordecai|strong="H4782" instructed|strong="H6680" an|strong="H7121" edict|strong="H1697" was|strong="H1931" issued|strong="H6680" to|strong="H5704" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", to|strong="H5704" the|strong="H3605" satraps|strong="H0324" and|strong="H3967" provincial governors|strong="H6346" and|strong="H3967" the|strong="H3605" rulers|strong="H8269" of|strong="H4428" each|strong="H3605" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" one|strong="H3605" hundred|strong="H3967" twenty-seven|strong="H6242" provinces|strong="H4082" from|strong="H5704" India|strong="H1912" to|strong="H5704" Ethiopia|strong="H3568" in|strong="H4428" their|strong="H3605" own|strong="H5971" script|strong="H3791" and|strong="H3967" their|strong="H3605" own|strong="H5971" language|strong="H3956", and|strong="H3967" to|strong="H5704" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" in|strong="H4428" their|strong="H3605" own|strong="H5971" script|strong="H3791" and|strong="H3967" language|strong="H3956". 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{10}Mordecai|strong="H3789" wrote|strong="H3789" in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H7971" name|strong="H8034" of|strong="H1121" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325". He|strong="H3027" sealed|strong="H2856" it|strong="H8034" with|strong="H3027" the|strong="H7971" king’s|strong="H4428" signet|strong="H2885" ring|strong="H2885". Dispatches were|strong="H1121" sent|strong="H7971" by|strong="H3027" mounted|strong="H7392" couriers|strong="H7323" who|strong="H1121" rode|strong="H7392" the|strong="H7971" swift|strong="H7409", noble|strong="H5081" steeds|strong="H7409", bred|strong="H7426" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H7971" royal|strong="H4428" studs|strong="H5351". 
\verseNumber{11}In|strong="H5921" this|strong="H5414" way|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" permitted|strong="H5414" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H3605" were|strong="H5971" in|strong="H5921" every|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892" to|strong="H5921" gather|strong="H6950" together|strong="H6950" and|strong="H4428" make|strong="H5414" a|strong="H5414" stand|strong="H5975" for|strong="H5921" their|strong="H3605" life|strong="H5315", to|strong="H5921" destroy|strong="H8045", to|strong="H5921" kill|strong="H2026", and|strong="H4428" annihilate|strong="H0006" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" armed|strong="H2502" forces|strong="H6696" of|strong="H4428" any|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" or|strong="H5892" province|strong="H4082" that|strong="H5971" might|strong="H5971" be|strong="H5315" hostile|strong="H7489" to|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5414", including|strong="H3605" their|strong="H3605" children|strong="H2945" and|strong="H4428" women|strong="H0802", and|strong="H4428" to|strong="H5921" take|strong="H5414" their|strong="H3605" goods|strong="H7399" as|strong="H5315" plunder|strong="H7998" 
\verseNumber{12}throughout|strong="H3605" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" on|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3605" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" twelfth|strong="H8147" month|strong="H2320" (which|strong="H1931" is|strong="H1931" called|strong="H7121" Adar|strong="H0143"). 
\verseNumber{13}A|strong="H1961" copy|strong="H6572" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3605" edict|strong="H1881" was|strong="H1961" to|strong="H1961" be|strong="H1961" published|strong="H1540" as|strong="H3117" a|strong="H1961" decree|strong="H1881" in|strong="H3117" every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082" – publicly|strong="H3318" displayed|strong="H5414" so|strong="H1961" that|strong="H5971" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" might|strong="H5971" be|strong="H1961" ready|strong="H3559" for|strong="H3117" that|strong="H5971" day|strong="H3117" and|strong="H3117" avenge|strong="H5358" themselves|strong="H5414". 
\verseNumber{14}So|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5414" couriers|strong="H7323" who|strong="H4428" rode|strong="H7392" the|strong="H5414" swift|strong="H7409", noble|strong="H5081" steeds|strong="H7409" went|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318", hastened|strong="H1765" and|strong="H4428" impelled|strong="H1765" by|strong="H3318" the|strong="H5414" king’s|strong="H4428" commands|strong="H1697"! 
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Meantime the|strong="H5414" decree|strong="H1881" had|strong="H4428" been|strong="H1961" given|strong="H5414" out|strong="H3318" in|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5414" royal|strong="H4428" palace|strong="H1002" at|strong="H4428" Susa|strong="H7800"; 
\verseNumber{15}and|strong="H4428" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4428" gone|strong="H3318" out|strong="H3318" from|strong="H3318" the|strong="H6440" presence|strong="H6440" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428" in|strong="H4428" royal|strong="H4438" garments|strong="H3830" of|strong="H4428" violet|strong="H8504" and|strong="H4428" white|strong="H2353" and|strong="H4428" with|strong="H6440" a|strong="H3318" great|strong="H1419" crown|strong="H5850" of|strong="H4428" gold|strong="H2091" and|strong="H4428" with|strong="H6440" a|strong="H3318" robe|strong="H3830" of|strong="H4428" fine|strong="H5560" linen|strong="H8336" and|strong="H4428" purple|strong="H8504". The|strong="H6440" people|strong="H5971" of|strong="H4428" Susa|strong="H7800" shouted|strong="H6670" and|strong="H4428" were|strong="H1419" glad|strong="H8055". 
\verseNumber{16}To|strong="H1961" the|strong="H1961" Jews|strong="H3064" there|strong="H1961" came|strong="H1961" light|strong="H0216" and|strong="H8057" gladness|strong="H8057" and|strong="H8057" joy|strong="H8057" and|strong="H8057" honour|strong="H3366". 
\verseNumber{17}And|strong="H4428" in|strong="H5921" every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082" and|strong="H4428" city|strong="H5892", wherever|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" command|strong="H1697" and|strong="H4428" decree|strong="H1881" came|strong="H5060", there|strong="H3117" was|strong="H1697" gladness|strong="H8057" and|strong="H4428" joy|strong="H8057" among|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" and|strong="H4428" a|strong="H3588" holiday|strong="H2896". Many|strong="H7227" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" peoples|strong="H5971" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" earth|strong="H0776" professed to|strong="H5921" be|strong="H1697" Jews|strong="H3064", for|strong="H3588" fear|strong="H6343" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" took|strong="H4428" possession|strong="H0272" of|strong="H4428" them|strong="H5921". 
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\chapterNumber{9}Now|strong="H3117" in|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" twelfth|strong="H8147" month|strong="H2320" (that|strong="H3117" is|strong="H1931" the|strong="H6213" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H4428" Adar|strong="H0143"), on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117", when|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" king’s|strong="H4428" command|strong="H1697" and|strong="H4428" his|strong="H6213" decree|strong="H1881" was|strong="H1931" about|strong="H1697" to|strong="H6213" put|strong="H6213" into|strong="H2015" execution|strong="H6213", on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" day|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" enemies|strong="H8130" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" hoped|strong="H7663" to|strong="H6213" gain|strong="H7980" the|strong="H6213" mastery|strong="H7980" over|strong="H4428" them|strong="H1992", then|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" tables|strong="H7979" were|strong="H3117" turned|strong="H2015" so|strong="H6213" that|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" had|strong="H4428" the|strong="H6213" mastery|strong="H7980" over|strong="H4428" those|strong="H1992" who|strong="H1931" hated|strong="H8130" them|strong="H1992". 
\verseNumber{2}The|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" gathered|strong="H6950" together|strong="H6950" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" cities|strong="H5892" throughout|strong="H3605" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H4428" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", to|strong="H7971" attack|strong="H5221" anyone|strong="H3605" who|strong="H3605" tried|strong="H1245" to|strong="H7971" harm|strong="H7451" them|strong="H5921". No|strong="H3808" one|strong="H3605" could|strong="H5971" withstand|strong="H5975" them|strong="H5921", for|strong="H3588" the|strong="H3605" fear|strong="H6343" of|strong="H4428" them|strong="H5921" had|strong="H4428" fallen|strong="H5307" on|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" peoples|strong="H5971". 
\verseNumber{3}All|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" princes|strong="H8269" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" satraps|strong="H0324" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" governors|strong="H6346" and|strong="H4428" they|strong="H3588" who|strong="H3605" attended|strong="H8334" to|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" business|strong="H4399", helped|strong="H5375" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", because|strong="H3588" the|strong="H3605" fear|strong="H6343" of|strong="H4428" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4428" fallen|strong="H5307" on|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{4}For|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" was|strong="H4428" great|strong="H1419" in|strong="H1980" the|strong="H3605" king’s|strong="H4428" palace|strong="H1004", and|strong="H1980" as|strong="H3588" his|strong="H3605" power|strong="H3027" increased|strong="H7235" his|strong="H3605" fame|strong="H8089" spread|strong="H1980" throughout|strong="H3605" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082". 
\verseNumber{5}The|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" put|strong="H6213" all|strong="H3605" their|strong="H3605" enemies|strong="H8130" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" sword|strong="H2719" and|strong="H2719", with|strong="H6213" slaughter|strong="H4347" and|strong="H2719" destruction|strong="H7667", they|strong="H6213" did|strong="H6213" what|strong="H6213" they|strong="H6213" wanted|strong="H2654" to|strong="H6213" those|strong="H3605" who|strong="H3605" hated|strong="H8130" them|strong="H5221". 
\verseNumber{6}In|strong="H1002" Susa|strong="H7800" the|strong="H2026" capital|strong="H3805" the|strong="H2026" Jews|strong="H3064" killed|strong="H2026" five|strong="H2568" hundred|strong="H3967" people|strong="H5971". 
\verseNumber{7}They|strong="H1992" killed|strong="H2026" Parshandatha|strong="H6577", Dalphon|strong="H1813", Aspatha|strong="H0630", 
\verseNumber{8}Poratha|strong="H6334", Adalia|strong="H0118", Aridatha|strong="H0743", 
\verseNumber{9}Parmashta|strong="H6534", Arisia, Aridai|strong="H0742", and|strong="H3967" Vaizatha|strong="H2055", 
\verseNumber{10}the|strong="H7971" ten|strong="H6235" sons|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Haman|strong="H2001" the|strong="H7971" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Hammedatha|strong="H4099", the|strong="H7971" Jews’|strong="H3064" enemy|strong="H6887"; but|strong="H3808" they|strong="H3808" did|strong="H3808" not|strong="H3808" take|strong="H1121" any|strong="H2026" plunder|strong="H0962". 
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\verseNumber{11}On|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3117" day|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6440" number|strong="H4557" of|strong="H4428" those|strong="H1931" who|strong="H1931" were|strong="H3117" slain|strong="H2026" in|strong="H4428" Susa|strong="H7800" was|strong="H1931" brought|strong="H4428" before|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428", 
\verseNumber{12}and|strong="H3967" the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" said|strong="H0559" to|strong="H6213" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635", ‘The|strong="H5414" Jews|strong="H3064" have|strong="H1121" slain|strong="H2026" five|strong="H2568" hundred|strong="H3967" people|strong="H1121" in|strong="H6213" Susa|strong="H7800", and|strong="H3967" the|strong="H5414" ten|strong="H6235" sons|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Haman|strong="H2001". What|strong="H4100" then|strong="H5414" have|strong="H1121" they|strong="H4100" done|strong="H6213" in|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5414" rest|strong="H7605" of|strong="H1121" the|strong="H5414" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082"! Now|strong="H5414" what|strong="H4100" is|strong="H4100" your|strong="H5414" petition|strong="H7596"? It|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H5750" granted|strong="H5414" to|strong="H6213" you|strong="H5414". What|strong="H4100" is|strong="H4100" your|strong="H5414" request|strong="H1246"? It|strong="H5414" will|strong="H4428" be|strong="H5750" done|strong="H6213".’ 
\BibleParagraphStyleP
\verseNumber{13}‘If|strong="H1121" it|strong="H5414" please|strong="H2896" the|strong="H5921" king|strong="H4428",’ Esther|strong="H0635" said|strong="H0559", ‘let|strong="H5414" it|strong="H5414" be|strong="H1121" granted|strong="H5414" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H1121" are|strong="H3117" in|strong="H5921" Susa|strong="H7800" to|strong="H6213" do|strong="H6213" tomorrow|strong="H4279" also|strong="H1571" according|strong="H5921" to|strong="H6213" this|strong="H6213" day’s|strong="H3117" decree|strong="H1881". Let|strong="H5414" the|strong="H5921" bodies|strong="H6297" of|strong="H1121" Haman’s|strong="H2001" ten|strong="H6235" sons|strong="H1121" be|strong="H1121" hanged|strong="H8518" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" gallows|strong="H6086".’ 
\verseNumber{14}And|strong="H1121" the|strong="H5414" king|strong="H4428" commanded|strong="H6680" it|strong="H5414" to|strong="H6213" be|strong="H1121" done|strong="H6213". A|strong="H6213" decree|strong="H1881" was|strong="H4428" given|strong="H5414" out|strong="H5414" in|strong="H6213" Susa|strong="H7800" and|strong="H1121" they|strong="H3651" hung|strong="H8518" the|strong="H5414" bodies|strong="H6297" of|strong="H1121" Haman’s|strong="H2001" ten|strong="H6235" sons|strong="H1121" on|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5414" gallows|strong="H6086". 
\verseNumber{15}The|strong="H3117" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H3808" were|strong="H3117" in|strong="H3117" Susa|strong="H7800" gathered|strong="H6950" themselves|strong="H6950" together|strong="H6950" again|strong="H7971" on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3117" fourteenth|strong="H6240" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3117" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H3117" Adar|strong="H0143". They|strong="H3117" killed|strong="H2026" three|strong="H7969" hundred|strong="H3967" people|strong="H3808" in|strong="H3117" Susa|strong="H7800". But|strong="H3808" they|strong="H3117" did|strong="H3808" not|strong="H3808" take|strong="H3027" any|strong="H1571" plunder|strong="H0962". 
\verseNumber{16}And|strong="H7971" the|strong="H5921" other|strong="H7605" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H5315" were|strong="H3027" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" king’s|strong="H4428" provinces|strong="H4082" gathered|strong="H6950" themselves|strong="H5315" together|strong="H6950" and|strong="H7971" fought|strong="H3898" for|strong="H5921" their|strong="H5921" lives|strong="H5315" and|strong="H7971" overcame their|strong="H5921" enemies|strong="H8130". They|strong="H3808" killed|strong="H2026" seventy-five|strong="H7657" thousand|strong="H0505" who|strong="H5315" hated|strong="H8130" them|strong="H5921". But|strong="H3808" they|strong="H3808" did|strong="H3808" not|strong="H3808" take|strong="H5975" any|strong="H5315" plunder|strong="H0962". 
\verseNumber{17}This|strong="H6213" was|strong="H3117" on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" thirteenth|strong="H7969" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" Adar|strong="H0143". 
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On|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" fourteenth|strong="H6240" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" month|strong="H2320" Adar|strong="H0143" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" rested|strong="H5117" and|strong="H3117" made|strong="H6213" it|strong="H6213" a|strong="H6213" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" feasting|strong="H4960" and|strong="H3117" rejoicing|strong="H8057". 
\verseNumber{18}(But|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" in|strong="H6213" Susa|strong="H7800" gathered|strong="H6950" on|strong="H3117" both|strong="H8147" the|strong="H6213" thirteenth|strong="H7969" and|strong="H3117" fourteenth|strong="H6240" day|strong="H3117" – and|strong="H3117" rested|strong="H5117" on|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" fifteenth|strong="H2568" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" same|strong="H1931" month|strong="H2320" and|strong="H3117" made|strong="H6213" it|strong="H6213" a|strong="H6213" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" feasting|strong="H4960" and|strong="H3117" rejoicing|strong="H8057".) 
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\verseNumber{19}This|strong="H3651" is|strong="H3117" why|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H3427" live|strong="H3427" in|strong="H3427" the|strong="H5921" country|strong="H6521" villages|strong="H6519" keep|strong="H6213" the|strong="H5921" fourteenth|strong="H6240" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H5921" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H3117" Adar|strong="H0143" as|strong="H3117" a|strong="H6213" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" rejoicing|strong="H8057" and|strong="H3117" feasting|strong="H4960" and|strong="H3117" a|strong="H6213" holiday|strong="H2896", and|strong="H3117" a|strong="H6213" day|strong="H3117" in|strong="H3427" which|strong="H3064" they|strong="H3117" send|strong="H7971" gifts|strong="H4490" of|strong="H3117" food|strong="H4490" to|strong="H6213" each|strong="H3117" other|strong="H7453". 

\BibleSectionHeading{The|strong="H5921" Establishment|strong="H7760" of|strong="H3117" Purim|strong="H6332" }

\addcontentsline{toc}{toc}{The|strong="H5921" Establishment|strong="H7760" of|strong="H3117" Purim|strong="H6332" }
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\verseNumber{20}Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4428" these|strong="H3789" things|strong="H1697" recorded|strong="H3789". He|strong="H3605" sent|strong="H7971" letters|strong="H5612" to|strong="H7971" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" who|strong="H3605" were|strong="H1697" in|strong="H4428" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", both|strong="H3605" near|strong="H7138" and|strong="H7971" far|strong="H7350". 
\verseNumber{21}He|strong="H3117" told|strong="H6213" them|strong="H5921" to|strong="H1961" keep|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" fourteenth|strong="H6240" day|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H3605" month|strong="H2320" of|strong="H3117" Adar|strong="H0143" and|strong="H6965" also|strong="H6213" the|strong="H3605" fifteenth|strong="H2568" day|strong="H3117" every|strong="H3605" year|strong="H8141", 
\verseNumber{22}as|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" days|strong="H3117" on|strong="H3117" which|strong="H1992" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" had|strong="H3064" rest|strong="H5117" from|strong="H3117" their|strong="H1992" enemies|strong="H0341", and|strong="H3117" the|strong="H6213" month|strong="H2320" which|strong="H1992" was|strong="H3117" turned|strong="H2015" from|strong="H3117" sorrow|strong="H3015" to|strong="H6213" gladness|strong="H8057" and|strong="H3117" from|strong="H3117" mourning|strong="H0060" into|strong="H2015" a|strong="H6213" feast|strong="H4960" day|strong="H3117". They|strong="H1992" should|strong="H3117" make|strong="H6213" them|strong="H1992" days|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" feasting|strong="H4960" and|strong="H3117" gladness|strong="H8057" and|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" sending|strong="H4916" gifts|strong="H4979" of|strong="H3117" food|strong="H4490" to|strong="H6213" each|strong="H3117" other|strong="H7453" and|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" gifts|strong="H4979" to|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" poor|strong="H6041". 
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\verseNumber{23}So|strong="H6213" what|strong="H6213" the|strong="H6213" Jews|strong="H3064" had|strong="H4782" begun|strong="H2490" to|strong="H6213" do|strong="H6213" they|strong="H6213" adopted|strong="H2388" as|strong="H6213" a|strong="H6213" custom|strong="H6901", just|strong="H6213" as|strong="H6213" Mordecai|strong="H4782" had|strong="H4782" written|strong="H3789" to|strong="H6213" them|strong="H6213". 
\verseNumber{24}For|strong="H3588" Haman|strong="H2001" the|strong="H3605" son|strong="H1121" of|strong="H1121" Hammedatha|strong="H4099", the|strong="H3605" Agagite|strong="H0091", the|strong="H3605" enemy|strong="H6887" of|strong="H1121" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", had|strong="H3588" plotted|strong="H2803" to|strong="H5921" destroy|strong="H2000" them|strong="H5921". He|strong="H1931" had|strong="H3588" cast|strong="H5307" “Pur|strong="H6332"”, that|strong="H3588" is|strong="H1931" the|strong="H3605" lot|strong="H1486", intending|strong="H0559" to|strong="H5921" consume|strong="H2000" them|strong="H5921" and|strong="H1121" to|strong="H5921" destroy|strong="H2000" them|strong="H5921". 
\verseNumber{25}But|strong="H7725" when|strong="H7725" the|strong="H6440" matter|strong="H1697" came|strong="H7725" before|strong="H6440" the|strong="H6440" king|strong="H4428", he|strong="H5921" gave|strong="H7725" written|strong="H3789" orders|strong="H5612" that|strong="H4428" his|strong="H7725" wicked|strong="H7451" plot|strong="H2803", which|strong="H3064" he|strong="H5921" had|strong="H4428" planned|strong="H2803" against|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" Jews|strong="H3064", should|strong="H4428" come|strong="H7725" upon|strong="H5921" his|strong="H7725" own|strong="H5973" head|strong="H7218", and|strong="H1121" that|strong="H4428" he|strong="H5921" and|strong="H1121" his|strong="H7725" sons|strong="H1121" should|strong="H4428" be|strong="H1121" hanged|strong="H8518" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H6440" gallows|strong="H6086". 
\verseNumber{26}This|strong="H2063" is|strong="H4100" why|strong="H4100" these|strong="H2063" days|strong="H3117" are|strong="H3117" called|strong="H7121" Purim|strong="H6332", after|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" word|strong="H1697" Pur|strong="H6332". Therefore|strong="H3651" because|strong="H5921" of|strong="H3117" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" words|strong="H1697" of|strong="H3117" this|strong="H2063" letter|strong="H5612", as|strong="H1697" well|strong="H3651" as|strong="H1697" all|strong="H3605" they|strong="H3117" had|strong="H4100" seen|strong="H7200", and|strong="H3117" all|strong="H3605" they|strong="H3117" had|strong="H4100" experienced|strong="H3045", 
\verseNumber{27}the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" established|strong="H6965" and|strong="H6965" made|strong="H6213" it|strong="H5921" a|strong="H1961" custom|strong="H6901" for|strong="H5921" them|strong="H5921", for|strong="H5921" their|strong="H3605" descendants|strong="H2233", and|strong="H6965" for|strong="H5921" all|strong="H3605" who|strong="H3605" should|strong="H8141" join|strong="H3867" them|strong="H5921", so|strong="H6213" that|strong="H3605" it|strong="H5921" might|strong="H1369" not|strong="H3808" be|strong="H1961" repealed|strong="H5674", that|strong="H3605" they|strong="H3117" should|strong="H8141" continue|strong="H1961" to|strong="H1961" observe|strong="H6213" these|strong="H6213" two|strong="H8147" days|strong="H3117" as|strong="H3117" feasts|strong="H4150" each|strong="H3605" year|strong="H8141", 
\verseNumber{28}and|strong="H3117" that|strong="H3605" these|strong="H6213" days|strong="H3117" should|strong="H3117" be|strong="H3808" remembered|strong="H2142" and|strong="H3117" kept|strong="H6213" throughout|strong="H3605" every|strong="H3605" generation|strong="H1755", every|strong="H3605" family|strong="H4940", every|strong="H3605" province|strong="H4082", and|strong="H3117" every|strong="H3605" city|strong="H5892". And|strong="H3117" these|strong="H6213" days|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" Purim|strong="H6332" should|strong="H3117" not|strong="H3808" pass|strong="H5674" away|strong="H5674" from|strong="H3117" among|strong="H8432" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064" nor|strong="H3808" the|strong="H3605" remembrance|strong="H2142" of|strong="H3117" them|strong="H6213" disappear|strong="H0622" among|strong="H8432" their|strong="H3605" descendants|strong="H2233". 
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\verseNumber{29}Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635", the|strong="H3605" daughter|strong="H1323" of|strong="H1323" Abihail|strong="H0032", gave|strong="H5414" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H3605" Jew|strong="H3064" all|strong="H3605" authority|strong="H8633" in|strong="H3789" writing|strong="H3789" to|strong="H6965" confirm|strong="H6965" this|strong="H2063" second|strong="H8145" letter|strong="H5612" of|strong="H1323" Purim|strong="H6332". 
\verseNumber{30}He|strong="H3605" sent|strong="H7971" letters|strong="H5612" to|strong="H7971" all|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", to|strong="H7971" the|strong="H3605" hundred|strong="H3967" and|strong="H3967" twenty-seven|strong="H6242" provinces|strong="H4082" of|strong="H1697" the|strong="H3605" kingdom|strong="H4438" of|strong="H1697" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", wishing|strong="H7592" them|strong="H7971" peace|strong="H7965" and|strong="H3967" security|strong="H7965", 
\verseNumber{31}to|strong="H5921" confirm|strong="H6965" these|strong="H6965" days|strong="H3117" of|strong="H3117" Purim|strong="H6332" in|strong="H5921" their|strong="H5921" proper|strong="H2896" times|strong="H3117", to|strong="H5921" be|strong="H1697" observed|strong="H6965" as|strong="H1697" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H5921" Jew|strong="H3064" and|strong="H6965" Queen|strong="H4436" Esther|strong="H0635" had|strong="H4782" directed|strong="H5090" and|strong="H6965" as|strong="H1697" the|strong="H5921" Jews|strong="H3064" had|strong="H4782" proscribed for|strong="H5921" themselves|strong="H5315" and|strong="H6965" their|strong="H5921" descendants|strong="H2233", in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" matter|strong="H1697" of|strong="H3117" the|strong="H5921" fastings|strong="H6685" and|strong="H6965" their|strong="H5921" cry|strong="H2201" of|strong="H3117" lamentation|strong="H7015". 
\verseNumber{32}And|strong="H6965" the|strong="H6965" commands|strong="H1697" of|strong="H1697" Esther|strong="H0635" confirmed|strong="H6965" these|strong="H3789" matters|strong="H1697" of|strong="H1697" Purim|strong="H6332"; and|strong="H6965" it|strong="H3789" was|strong="H1697" written|strong="H3789" in|strong="H3789" the|strong="H6965" records|strong="H1697". 
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\chapterNumber{10}King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325" imposed|strong="H5414" a|strong="H7760" tribute|strong="H4522" on|strong="H5921" the|strong="H5921" land|strong="H0776" and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H5921" coasts|strong="H1366". 
\verseNumber{2}All|strong="H3605" the|strong="H3605" acts|strong="H1697" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" power|strong="H1369" and|strong="H4428" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" might|strong="H1369", and|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" full|strong="H3117" account|strong="H5921" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" greatness|strong="H1420" of|strong="H4428" Mordecai|strong="H4782" to|strong="H5921" which|strong="H1992" the|strong="H3605" king|strong="H4428" advanced|strong="H1431" him|strong="H5921", are|strong="H3117" they|strong="H1992" not|strong="H3808" recorded|strong="H3789" in|strong="H5921" the|strong="H3605" book|strong="H5612" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" chronicles|strong="H1697" of|strong="H4428" the|strong="H3605" kings|strong="H4428" of|strong="H4428" Media|strong="H4074" and|strong="H4428" Persia|strong="H6539"? 
\verseNumber{3}For|strong="H3588" Mordecai|strong="H4782" the|strong="H3605" Jew|strong="H3064" was|strong="H4428" next|strong="H4932" in|strong="H4428" rank|strong="H4932" to|strong="H1696" King|strong="H4428" Ahasuerus|strong="H0325", and|strong="H4428" great|strong="H1419" among|strong="H5971" the|strong="H3605" Jews|strong="H3064", and|strong="H4428" loved|strong="H0157" by|strong="H3605" them|strong="H3588" all|strong="H3605". He|strong="H3588" sought|strong="H1875" the|strong="H3605" good|strong="H2896" of|strong="H4428" his|strong="H3605" people|strong="H5971" and|strong="H4428" promoted|strong="H1431" the|strong="H3605" welfare|strong="H7965" of|strong="H4428" their|strong="H3605" descendants|strong="H2233". 
\BibleBookEnd
\end{document}
