EST EN_UST en_English_ltr Thu Nov 05 2020 07:53:06 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time) tc

\zaln-s |x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"\*This\zaln-e\* {\zaln-s |x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"\*is during the time that {a king named} Ahasuerus ruled {the land of Persia}. The empire of this King Ahasuerus had 127 provinces and included all of the territory between India {in the east} and Ethiopia {in the west}.

|x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"This {|x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"is during the time that {a king named} Ahasuerus ruled {the land of Persia}. The empire of this King Ahasuerus had 127 provinces and included all of the territory between India {in the east} and Ethiopia {in the west}.

\zaln-s |x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"\*\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*\zaln-e\* {\zaln-s |x-strong="c:H1961" x-lemma="הָיָה" x-morph="He,C:Vqw3ms" x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1" x-content="וַ⁠יְהִ֖י"\*\w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w during|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w ruled|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w land|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 127|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w provinces|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w included|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w territory|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w between|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w India|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w east|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Ethiopia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w west|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

At that time King Ahasuerus was ruling his empire from Susa, the capital city {of Persia}.

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ruling|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

During the third year that Ahasuerus ruled his empire, he hosted a feast for all of his officials and for every important person who worked for him. He also invited the officers who served in the {combined} army of {the kingdoms of} Persia and Media, the wealthy landowners, and the officials of the provinces. The king was present in person {to host the feast}.

\w During|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w third|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ruled|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hosted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w person|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w worked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w invited|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w officers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="8"\w* {\w combined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w army|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w kingdoms|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Media|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w wealthy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w landowners|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w provinces|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w present|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w person|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w host|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

Ahasuerus entertained his guests fabulously because he wanted to demonstrate that his empire was extremely wealthy and that he was a very rich and powerful king. {The feast lasted} for six months.

\w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w entertained|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w guests|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fabulously|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w demonstrate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w extremely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wealthy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rich|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w powerful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lasted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w six|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w months|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

At the end of those six months, {after that feast was over,} the king hosted a {second} feast. This feast was for all of the people in the royal stronghold in Susa, including both rich and poor. He held this feast in the courtyard of his palace garden. It lasted for a whole week.

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w end|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w six|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w months|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w after|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hosted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w feast|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*. \w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stronghold|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w including|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w both|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rich|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w poor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w held|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w garden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w It|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lasted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w whole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w week|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{In the courtyard,} white and blue curtains were hanging from white and purple cords attached to silver rings on marble pillars. The guests reclined on couches made of gold and silver. These were set on a mosaic floor that was made of red marble, white marble, and pearl bordered with black marble.

{\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w white|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w blue|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w curtains|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w hanging|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w white|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w purple|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cords|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attached|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w silver|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w rings|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w marble|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w pillars|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guests|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w reclined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w couches|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gold|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w silver|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w These|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w mosaic|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w floor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w red|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w marble|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*, \w white|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w marble|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w pearl|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bordered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w black|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w marble|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*.

The attendants served wine in golden cups. {The king was so rich that he had a great many of these cups,} and no two of them were alike. The king had the attendants serve great amounts of his own royal wine to the guests.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w golden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cups|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rich|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w these|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cups|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*,} \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w two|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w alike|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w serve|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w amounts|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w guests|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Ahasuerus gave his guests a special privilege. He made the attendants who served the wine follow this rule: “No one has to drink if they do not want to.” All the guests could drink as little or as much as they wanted.

\w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guests|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w special|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w privilege|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w follow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rule|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*: “\w No|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w drink|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.” \w All|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w guests|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drink|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w little|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w or|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w much|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{While the king was entertaining the men in the courtyard,} Queen Vashti, {his wife,} was hosting a feast for the women. She hosted it inside the royal palace where King Ahasuerus lived.

{\w While|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w entertaining|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w hosting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hosted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w inside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

On the seventh day, when King Ahasuerus was feeling good from drinking wine, he called the seven {castrated} guardians who served him personally. (Their names were Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Karkas.)

\w On|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w seventh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feeling|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drinking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w called|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w seven|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w castrated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. (\w Their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w names|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mehuman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Biztha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Harbona|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Bigtha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Abagtha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Zethar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Karkas|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.)

Queen Vashti was a very beautiful woman. Ahasuerus wanted the people and officials who served in the royal court to see how beautiful she was. So the king told his seven personal servants to bring Queen Vashti to him. He told them to have her wear her royal crown.

\w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w beautiful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w court|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w beautiful|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seven|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w personal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w crown|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

But when the guardians came and told Queen Vashti what the king had commanded, she refused to come. {The guardians reported this to the king, and} the king became very enraged.

\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refused|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w reported|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enraged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

It was the habit of the king to consult with certain advisors who knew the law and could make good decisions. So he spoke to those advisors, who knew the right way to do things.

\w It|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w habit|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w consult|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w certain|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w advisors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w knew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decisions|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w spoke|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w advisors|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w knew|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w right|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king’s closest advisors were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukan. These seven officials were from various places in {the kingdoms of} Persia and Media. They advised the king personally. They were the most powerful officials in the empire.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w closest|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w advisors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Karshena|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Shethar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Admatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Tarshish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Meres|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Marsena|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Memukan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w These|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seven|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w various|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w places|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w kingdoms|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Media|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w advised|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w most|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w powerful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king said to them, “I sent those guardians to Queen Vashti with a command, but she did not obey me. According to the law, what should we do with her?”

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w command|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w According|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w we|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*?”

Then Memukan answered the king, {speaking loud enough that} both he and his officials could hear. He said, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, and not only against the king. She has also done wrong against all the officials and people groups in all the provinces that King Ahasuerus rules!

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Memukan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w answered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w speaking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w loud|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enough|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w both|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w done|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wrong|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w done|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wrong|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w groups|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w provinces|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rules|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*!

This is what will happen. Women all over the empire will hear about what the queen did. They will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded his servants to bring Queen Vashti to him, but she did not come! {So if even the queen can disobey the king, why should I have to obey my husband?}’ Then women will stop respecting their husbands.

\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w happen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w hear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w say|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, ‘\w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*! {\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w disobey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w husband|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*?}’ \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w stop|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w respecting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w husbands|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Even today, the leading women of Persia and Media will hear what the queen did. They will start to disobey {their husbands, even though they are} officials of the king. They will treat them with disrespect, and this will make their husbands angry with them. That will be bad enough by itself, {even if the news does not spread any farther}.

\w Even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w today|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w leading|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Media|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w hear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w start|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w disobey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w husbands|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w though|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w treat|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w disrespect|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w husbands|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bad|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enough|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w itself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w even|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w news|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w does|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w spread|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w farther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

If it pleases you {to do so}, O king, you should personally issue a royal decree and have scribes add it to the laws of Persia and Media, which no one can change. {This decree should say} that Vashti can never come into your presence again. Then you should choose a different woman to be your queen, one who will obey you.

\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w pleases|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w issue|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w add|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w laws|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Media|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w which|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w change|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w say|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w never|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w into|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w presence|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w choose|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w different|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w one|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*.

That way, even though your empire is very large, everyone in it will hear about your decree {and know that if any wife disobeys her husband, he can banish and divorce her just as you did to Vashti.} Then all the women will respect and obey their husbands. This will be true of every husband in the empire.”

\w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w though|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w large|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w hear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w disobeys|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w husband|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w divorce|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w respect|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w husbands|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w true|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w husband|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.”

This seemed like a good idea to the king and his officials. So King Ahasuerus followed the advice of Memukan.

\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seemed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w like|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w idea|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w followed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w advice|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Memukan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king sent letters to every province in his empire. He wrote to every province using its own alphabet and to each people group in its own language. The letters said that men should be the masters over their wives and children. They also said that a husband should be able to give orders to his wife in his own native language {and that she should understand and obey}.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w using|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w alphabet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w language|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w masters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wives|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w children|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w husband|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w able|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w orders|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w native|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w language|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w understand|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

Some time later, when King Ahasuerus no longer felt so angry, he started to miss Vashti. But when she disobeyed his command, he had made a decree that she could never come into his presence again.

\w Some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w later|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w longer|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w felt|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w started|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w miss|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w disobeyed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w command|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w never|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w into|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w presence|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So some of the young men who attended the king said to him, “{Your majesty, you should get a new wife} for yourself. You could tell your servants to look for young virgins who are very beautiful.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w attended|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “{\w Your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w majesty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w get|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w new|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w yourself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w You|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w look|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w beautiful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Also, you could assign officers in each province of your empire to bring every virgin who is very beautiful here to your capital city of Susa. They could stay in the harem for virgins under the custody of Hegai, the {castrated} royal guardian who takes care of the young women who live there. He could arrange for them to receive beauty treatments.

\w Also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w assign|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w virgin|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w beautiful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w here|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w stay|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w under|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w custody|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Hegai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* {\w castrated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardian|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w takes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w care|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w arrange|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w receive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w beauty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treatments|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Then you could decide which young woman you liked the best, and you could make her queen instead of Vashti.” The king liked what they suggested, so he did it.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w decide|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w which|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w liked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.” \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w liked|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w suggested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

At that time, there was a Jewish man named Mordecai living in the capital city of Susa. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. His father was named Jair, his grandfather was named Shimei, and his great-grandfather was named Kish.

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jewish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w living|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tribe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Benjamin|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w His|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w father|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jair|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w grandfather|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Shimei|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*-\w grandfather|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Kish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Many years earlier, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken Kish away from Jerusalem and brought him to Babylon along with many other captives. Nebuchadnezzar took them away from Jerusalem at the same time that he took King Jeconiah of Judah away from Jerusalem and brought him to Babylon.

\w Many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w years|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w earlier|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Babylon|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w taken|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Kish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w away|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jerusalem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w brought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Babylon|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w along|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w captives|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Nebuchadnezzar|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w away|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jerusalem|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jeconiah|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Judah|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w away|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jerusalem|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w brought|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Babylon|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.

Now Mordecai was taking care of his cousin, who was an orphan. Her {Hebrew} name was Hadassah, and her {Persian} name was Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter. Esther was now a young woman, and she was exceptionally attractive.

\w Now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w taking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w care|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w cousin|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w an|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w orphan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Hebrew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w name|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Hadassah|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w Persian|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w name|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w father|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w mother|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w died|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w adopted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w daughter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w exceptionally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attractive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

And so this is what happened: Messengers went {throughout the empire} and proclaimed the new law that the king had spoken. At the same time, the officers {whom the king had appointed in each province} brought many {beautiful} young women to the capital city of Susa and put them under the custody of Hegai. He was the man who took care of the young women {who lived in the harem for virgins}. {Because Esther was exceptionally attractive,} the officers also brought her to the king’s palace and put her under the custody of Hegai.

\w And|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happened|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*: \w Messengers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w proclaimed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w new|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w spoken|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w officers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w whom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w appointed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w brought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w beautiful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w under|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w custody|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Hegai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w care|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="10" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="11" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. {\w Because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w exceptionally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attractive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w the|x-occurrence="12" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w officers|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w brought|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="13" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w under|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="14" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w custody|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Hegai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Hegai was very impressed with Esther, and he treated her favorably. He quickly arranged for Esther to receive her beauty treatments and her allotment of food. He also chose seven female servants from the king’s palace and assigned them to be her personal attendants. He also moved Esther and her attendants to the best rooms in the harem for virgins.

\w Hegai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w impressed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w favorably|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w quickly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w arranged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w receive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w beauty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treatments|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w allotment|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w food|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w chose|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seven|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w female|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w assigned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w personal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w moved|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rooms|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai had warned Esther that she should not tell anyone what people group she was from. So she did not tell anyone that she was a Jew or who her relatives were.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w warned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w or|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w relatives|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai wanted to know how Esther was doing and what was happening to her. So each and every day, he would walk around in front of the courtyard of the harem for virgins. That way he could ask people who were going in and out of the harem how she was doing.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w happening|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w walk|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w around|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w front|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Each young woman in the harem, one at a time, was going to {have sexual relations with} King Ahasuerus {and become one of his concubines}. But before her turn came, each woman received a full year of beauty treatments, using techniques that had been developed for women {in Persia}. This is how the beauty treatments were completed: For the first six months, {a woman’s attendants would rub her body every day} with olive oil mixed with myrrh. For the next six months, {her attendants would rub her body every day} with perfumes and lotions designed for women.

\w Each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sexual|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w relations|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w concubines|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w before|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w turn|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w received|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w full|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w beauty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w treatments|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w using|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w techniques|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w developed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w beauty|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w treatments|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w completed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*: \w For|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w first|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w six|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w months|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w a|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w rub|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w body|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w olive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w oil|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w mixed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w myrrh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w For|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w next|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w six|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w months|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w her|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w rub|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w body|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w perfumes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w lotions|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w designed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

This is the way that they would prepare a young woman to go {and have sexual relations} with the king {and become one of his concubines}. She could take whatever clothing and jewelry she wanted from the harem for virgins and wear them when she went to the king’s palace.

\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prepare|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sexual|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w relations|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w concubines|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w whatever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w clothing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w jewelry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w wear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king’s servants would bring her {to the king’s private rooms} in the evening. The next morning, they would bring her to the other harem, the one for concubines. There a man named Shaashgaz would take charge of her, because he was the {castrated} royal guardian who took care of the concubines. {The young woman would live there for the rest of her life.} She would not go and see the king again unless he asked for her by name because he had enjoyed being with her.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w private|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rooms|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w evening|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w next|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w morning|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w concubines|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w There|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Shaashgaz|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w charge|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w*, \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="8"\w* {\w castrated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardian|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w care|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w concubines|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w woman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w rest|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w unless|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w name|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enjoyed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w being|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w*.

Eventually, {the evening came when} it was the turn for Esther, whom Mordecai had adopted as his daughter, to go to the king. She was the daughter of Abihail, Mordecai’s uncle. When Esther went to the king, she only asked for what Hegai, the royal guardian in charge of the harem for virgins, recommended that she should wear. Everyone who saw Esther was very impressed with her.

\w Eventually|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w evening|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w turn|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w whom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w adopted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w daughter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w daughter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Abihail|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w uncle|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hegai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardian|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w charge|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w harem|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w recommended|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w impressed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king’s servants brought Esther to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace during the tenth month of the year (the month of Tebeth), in the seventh year of his reign {as king of Persia}.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w brought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w during|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w tenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* (\w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Tebeth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*), \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w seventh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w reign|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

The king loved Esther more than any of the other women. He treated her more kindly and more favorably than any of the other young women {who had become his concubines}. So King Ahasuerus put a royal crown on her head, and he made her the queen instead of Vashti.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w loved|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w kindly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w favorably|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w concubines|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w crown|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w head|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Vashti|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Then the king hosted a great feast and invited all of his officials and servants. It was a feast to celebrate Esther {becoming the queen}. He proclaimed that this would be a time to celebrate for people in all of the provinces of his empire {when they would not have to pay taxes}, and he generously gave gifts {to people}.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hosted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w invited|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w It|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w feast|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w celebrate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w becoming|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w proclaimed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w celebrate|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w provinces|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w pay|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w taxes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w generously|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gifts|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

{Later,} Ahasuerus had his officers bring more virgins {to Susa}. During this time, Mordecai {was working for the king, and he} sat at the king’s gate.

{\w Later|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w virgins|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w During|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w working|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w sat|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Esther had still not told anyone what people group she was from, because Mordecai had warned her not to tell anyone. In fact, she continued to follow all of Mordecai’s instructions, just as she had done when she was growing up in his house.

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w still|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w warned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fact|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w continued|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w follow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w instructions|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w done|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w growing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

During that time, when Mordecai was {doing his work} at the king’s gate, two of the king’s guards who protected the doorway {to the king’s private rooms} became angry {with the king}. They planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. Their names were Bigthan and Teresh.

\w During|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w work|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w two|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w guards|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w protected|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w doorway|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w private|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rooms|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*}. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w planned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w assassinate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w names|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Bigthan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Teresh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

But Mordecai found out about what they were planning. He told Queen Esther about it, and she told the king. She explained that Mordecai had given her the information.

\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w found|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w planning|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w explained|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w given|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w information|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So the king’s officials investigated Mordecai’s report and discovered that it was true. So the king ordered his servants to hang those two men from wooden poles {until they died}. In the king’s presence, the king’s scribes recorded an account of this in the royal chronicles.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w investigated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w report|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w discovered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w true|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ordered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w two|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wooden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w poles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w until|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w died|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w presence|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w recorded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w an|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w account|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Some time later, King Ahasuerus promoted {one of his officials,} Haman, the son of Hammedatha, who was a descendant of Agag. The king gave Haman a very important position, more important than any of his other officials.

\w Some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w later|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w promoted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*,} \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w son|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Hammedatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w descendant|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Agag|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w position|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

The king {wanted to show that he had given Haman an important position. So he} commanded all of his other servants who were at the king’s gate to bow down all the way to the ground to honor Haman {whenever he walked by}. But Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, {because as a Jew he would not worship anyone except Yahweh}.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w given|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w an|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w position|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w ground|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w whenever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w walked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refused|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, {\w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w worship|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w except|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Yahweh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

The other servants at the king’s gate {saw that Mordecai refused to bow down, and they} asked him, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refused|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w disobeying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w command|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*?”

Mordecai told them that he was a Jew, {and that Jews only worship Yahweh}. The other servants warned Mordecai every day {that he would be punished severely if he kept disobeying the king and not honoring his most important official}. But Mordecai still refused to bow down. So they told Haman about it to see if he would allow Mordecai to keep refusing to bow down {because he was a Jew}.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w worship|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Yahweh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w warned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w punished|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w severely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w kept|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w disobeying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w honoring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w most|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w still|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refused|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w allow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w keep|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refusing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down to him, he became furious.

\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w furious|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The other servants told Haman that {Mordecai was not bowing down to him because} Mordecai was a Jew. So Haman decided it would not be enough just to kill Mordecai alone. Haman decided that he would try to kill all the Jews in the entire empire of Ahasuerus.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w bowing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w decided|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enough|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w alone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w decided|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w try|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w entire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So Haman had his servants cast a Pur (that is, a lot) while he watched {to determine the best month and the best day of the month to kill the Jews}. They did that in the first month, the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year that Ahasuerus reigned {as king of Persia}. The lot selected the twelfth month of that year, the month of Adar, {as the time for Haman to carry out his plan}.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Pur|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* (\w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w lot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*) \w while|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w watched|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w determine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w first|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Nisan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w reigned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lot|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w selected|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="10" x-occurrences="10"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w carry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

Then Haman went to King Ahasuerus and said, “Your Majesty, there is a certain group of people who live among the other peoples in your empire. They are in every province. They have their own set of laws, and so they do not obey your laws. It is not good for you to allow them to live in your empire.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Majesty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w certain|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w among|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w peoples|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w laws|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w laws|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w It|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w allow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

If you approve of this plan, O king, then write a decree saying that all of the Jews must die. {When they are dead, we can take all of their goods, and from that} I will give 300 tons of silver to your administrators for them to put into your royal treasuries.”

\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w approve|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w write|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w saying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w must|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w die|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w dead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w we|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w goods|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 300|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w silver|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w administrators|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w into|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treasuries|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

The king {liked what Haman said. So he} gave Haman the ring that he wore that had his official seal on it. {With that, Haman could make laws as if he were the king himself.} Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, had become the enemy of the Jews.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w liked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wore|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w With|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w laws|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w himself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w Haman|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w son|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Hammedatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Agagite|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w enemy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king told Haman, “You can keep the money for yourself, and you can do whatever you want to do with those people.”

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w You|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w keep|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w money|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w yourself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w whatever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

On the thirteenth day of the first month of that same year, Haman called in the royal scribes, and he dictated a letter to them. He told them to send copies to the royal officials, the governors of each province, and the leaders of each people group. The scribes translated the letter so it could be sent to each province using its own alphabet and to each people group in its own language. To show that he was sending the letter under the king’s own authority, Haman sealed each copy of the letter with the ring that had the king’s official seal on it.

\w On|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w first|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w called|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w dictated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w send|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w governors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w leaders|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w translated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w using|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w alphabet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w language|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w To|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sending|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w under|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w authority|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sealed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w copy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="10" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="11" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="12" x-occurrences="12"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Couriers delivered the letters to the officials in every province in the empire. The letters said to completely destroy all the Jews, including the children and women, on a single day. That was to be the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, {in that same year}. The letters also said that those who killed the Jews could take everything that belonged to them.

\w Couriers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w delivered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w completely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w including|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w children|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The letter told the officials to post copies where everyone could see them. That way all the people in every single province would know that the king had commanded this, and they would get ready {to do what the letter said to do} when the day came.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w post|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w get|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ready|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

As the king had commanded, couriers rushed {with the letters to every province in the empire}. A herald also proclaimed what the letter said in the capital city of Susa. The king and Haman relaxed and drank together. But everyone who lived in Susa was very upset {about what was going to happen}.

\w As|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w couriers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rushed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w A|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w herald|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w proclaimed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w relaxed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w drank|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w upset|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w happen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

When Mordecai found out about Haman’s plan {to kill all the Jews, as signs of grief} he tore his clothes and put on rough sackcloth and threw ashes over himself. Then he started walking towards the city center, {towards the king’s palace}, crying out in anguish.

\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w found|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w signs|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w grief|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tore|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w clothes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rough|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w threw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ashes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w himself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w started|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w walking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w towards|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w center|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w towards|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w crying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anguish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

But no one who was wearing sackcloth was allowed inside the king’s gate. So when Mordecai reached the gate, he had to stay just outside of it.

\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wearing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w allowed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w inside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w reached|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stay|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w outside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

In every province of the empire, the letter that said to destroy the Jews {was announced in public. When} the Jews {heard about it, they} mourned greatly. They went without food and wailed loudly. Many of them also put on sackcloth and threw ashes on themselves and lay on the ground.

\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w announced|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w public|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w heard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w mourned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w greatly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w without|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w food|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wailed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w loudly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w threw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ashes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w lay|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w ground|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Esther’s female attendants came with her guardians and told her {that Mordecai was sitting outside the gate wearing sackcloth. When she heard about this,} Queen Esther herself became very afraid. She sent Mordecai some good clothes to wear instead of the sackcloth, but he refused to put them on.

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w female|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sitting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w outside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wearing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w heard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w herself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w afraid|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w clothes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refused|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king had assigned some of the royal guardians to Esther personally. So Esther called for one of them, a man named Hathak. She told him to go out and speak with Mordecai and find out why he was so distressed {that he was sitting at the king’s gate wearing sackcloth}.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w assigned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w called|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w named|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w speak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w find|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w distressed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sitting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wearing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sackcloth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

So Hathak went out to {speak with} Mordecai, who was in the plaza in front of the king’s gate.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w speak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w plaza|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w front|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai told Hathak everything that Haman was planning to do {to the Jews}. He even told him how much money Haman said the king would get for his treasuries {if the king commanded people} to kill all of the Jews.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w planning|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*}. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w much|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w money|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w get|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w treasuries|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Mordecai also gave Hathak a copy of the letter that the heralds had read out loud in Susa and that said that people must kill all of the Jews. He told Hathak to show the letter to Esther so that she would know exactly what it said. He also told him to urge her to go to the king personally and to beg him desperately to save her people from destruction.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w heralds|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w read|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w loud|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w must|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w exactly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w urge|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w beg|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w desperately|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w save|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destruction|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So Hathak returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w returned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Then Esther told Hathak to go back to Mordecai with this message:

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w message|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*:

“There is a law {about going to the king} that applies to {everyone in the kingdom}, both men and women. If anyone goes into the inner courtyard of the palace, {where the king can see them}, and the king has not summoned them, that person will die. Only if the king holds out his golden scepter to them, then they will live. Everyone in the whole empire knows this law. {So I cannot go and speak to the king as you have requested.} The king has not called for me in over a month, {and if I go without being summoned, I could be put to death}.”

“\w There|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w*} \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w applies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* {\w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w kingdom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w both|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w goes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w into|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w inner|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w summoned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w person|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w die|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w holds|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w golden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scepter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w whole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w knows|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w cannot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w speak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w requested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w called|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w without|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w being|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w summoned|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w death|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.”

So {Hathak} went back to Mordecai and told him what Esther had said.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai told {Hathak} to tell this to Esther: “Do not imagine that just because you live there in the king’s palace that you will be safe when they kill all the other Jews.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*: “\w Do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w imagine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w safe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

If you say nothing at all now, someone from some other place will rescue the Jews, but you and your relatives will not survive. Who knows, perhaps it was for just such a time as this that you became queen.”

\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w say|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w nothing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w someone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w place|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w rescue|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w relatives|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w survive|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w knows|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w perhaps|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w such|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

{After Hathak told this to} Esther, she told him to go back to Mordecai and say this to him:

{\w After|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w say|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*:

“Gather together all the Jews who live here in Susa and tell them to fast and pray for my sake. Tell them to not eat or drink anything for three days and three nights. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. At the end of the three days, I will go to {talk to} the king, even though doing that is against the law. I will do that even if it costs me my life.”

“\w Gather|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w here|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w pray|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sake|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w eat|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w or|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drink|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w three|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w three|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w nights|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w My|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w female|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fast|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w end|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w three|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* {\w talk|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w though|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w even|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w costs|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

So {after Hathach told this to} Mordecai, he went and did everything that Esther had told him to do.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w after|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hathach|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Three days later, Esther {and her servants prepared a grand banquet. Then she} put on her royal robes, and she {went and} stood in the inner courtyard of the palace, across from the king’s house. He was in the royal palace, sitting on the royal throne and facing the entrance of the room.

\w Three|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w later|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prepared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w grand|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w robes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w stood|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w inner|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w across|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w sitting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w throne|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w facing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w entrance|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w room|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

As soon as the king noticed Queen Esther standing there in the courtyard, he was very pleased to see her. So he held out his golden scepter to her, {to show that she could safely approach him}. So Esther came up {to the throne} and touched the top of the scepter.

\w As|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w soon|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w noticed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w standing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pleased|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w held|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w golden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scepter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w safely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w approach|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w So|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w throne|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w touched|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w top|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w scepter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Then the king asked her, “Why have you come here, Queen Esther? What do you want? {Tell me, and} I will give you anything you ask for, no matter how great it is.”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w here|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*? \w What|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*? {\w Tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w matter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

Esther replied, “If it pleases you, O king, please come with Haman today to the banquet that I have prepared for you.”

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pleases|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w today|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prepared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.”

The king said to his servants, “{Go and} get Haman and bring him quickly so that we can do what Esther has asked us to do!” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther {and her servants} had prepared {for them}.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, “{\w Go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w get|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w quickly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w we|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w us|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*!” \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prepared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

While they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now please tell me what you {really} want. I will give you anything {you ask for}, no matter how great it is. I truly mean what I am saying.”

\w While|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drinking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w matter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w truly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w mean|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w am|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w saying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w answered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*:

if you are pleased with me, and if you are pleased, O king, to give me what I want, please come with Haman to {another} banquet that I will prepare for you tomorrow. I will answer your question then.”

\w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w pleased|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w pleased|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w another|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w prepare|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w tomorrow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w answer|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w question|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

Haman was feeling very happy as he left {the banquet that day}. But then he saw Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate. Mordecai did not stand up to show respect for Haman or tremble fearfully in front of him. This made Haman furious with Mordecai.

\w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feeling|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w left|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w sitting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stand|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w respect|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w or|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tremble|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fearfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w front|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w furious|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.

But {even though} Haman {was so angry, he} kept himself from showing that he was angry. {Instead,} he went home and gathered together his friends with his wife Zeresh,

\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w though|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w kept|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w himself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w showing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w Instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w home|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gathered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w friends|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Zeresh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,

and he boasted to them about how rich he was and about how many sons he had. {He} also {boasted} about how the king had promoted him many times and given him a position above all of his other officials and administrators.

\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w boasted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w rich|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w boasted|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w about|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w promoted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w times|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w given|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w position|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w above|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w administrators|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Then Haman added, “And that is not all! I was the only one Queen Esther invited to come with the king to a banquet that she prepared {for us today}. And she has also invited only me {to attend another banquet} with the king tomorrow.”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w added|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w And|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*! \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w invited|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w prepared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w us|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w today|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w And|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w invited|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w attend|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w another|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tomorrow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

Then Haman said, “But I still cannot be happy as long as I keep seeing that Jew, Mordecai, sitting there at the king’s gate {and refusing to honor me}.”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w still|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cannot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w long|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w keep|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seeing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w sitting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w refusing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.”

So Haman’s wife Zeresh and his friends who were there suggested, “Have your servants set up a pole 25 meters high. Then tomorrow morning speak to the king and tell him that you want to hang Mordecai on it. Then {once you have executed Mordecai,} you can go to the banquet with the king in a good mood.” Haman thought that this was a good plan, so he {told his servants to} set up the pole.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Zeresh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w friends|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w suggested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w 25|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w meters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w high|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tomorrow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w morning|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w speak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w once|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w executed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*,} \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w mood|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.” \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w thought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w set|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

That night the king was unable to sleep. So he told {the young men who attended him} to bring in the royal chronicles. One {of the young men got the chronicles and} began to read them out loud to the king.

\w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w night|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w unable|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w sleep|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attended|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w One|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w got|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w began|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w read|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w loud|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

The chronicles said that Bigthan and Teresh, two of the royal guardians who protected the doorway {to the king’s private quarters}, had planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. The chronicles also said that Mordecai {had discovered their plot and} had let the king know about it. {By doing that, Mordecai saved the king’s life.}

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Bigthan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Teresh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w two|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w protected|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w doorway|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w private|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w quarters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w planned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w assassinate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w discovered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w had|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w let|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w By|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w saved|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.}

Then the king asked, “In what great way did I honor Mordecai for saving my life?” The young men who attended him replied, “No one did anything for him.”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w saving|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*?” \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w attended|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w No|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.”

At that moment, Haman entered the outer courtyard of the king’s house. He had come to tell the king that he wanted to hang Mordecai on the pole that he had set up for Mordecai. The king {wanted to consult someone about the best way to honor Mordecai, so he} asked, “Who is out in the courtyard?”

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w moment|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w entered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w outer|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w wanted|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w consult|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w someone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*?”

The young men replied, “O king, Haman is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Bring him in.”

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w young|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w standing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w courtyard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.” \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.”

When Haman came in, the king asked him, “What should I do for the man whom I would really like to honor?” Haman thought to himself, “Certainly I am the person whom the king would like to honor more than anyone else!”

\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w What|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w whom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w like|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*?” \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w thought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w himself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Certainly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w am|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w person|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w whom|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w like|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w else|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*!”

Haman replied to the king, “If you really want to honor someone,

\w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w someone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,

tell your servants to bring one of your own royal robes that you have already worn yourself. Have them also bring a horse that you have already ridden yourself and put a royal crown on its head {to show that it belongs to you}.

\w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w robes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w already|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w worn|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w yourself|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w Have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w already|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w ridden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w yourself|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w crown|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w head|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w belongs|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*}.

Then, {on your behalf,} have one of your most noble officials present the man with the robe and the horse. Have your servants clothe the man whom you really want to honor {with the robe}. Have them seat that man on the horse and then lead the horse through the public square of the city. Have them shout out {to everyone} in front of them, ‘The king is doing this because he really wants to honor this man!’”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w behalf|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w most|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w noble|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w present|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w Have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w clothe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w whom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}. \w Have|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w seat|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w through|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w public|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w square|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Have|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w shout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w front|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, ‘\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*!’”

The king {liked this plan, so he} replied to Haman, “Go quickly! Take the robe and the horse and do what you have just described for Mordecai the Jew. He {is one of my servants who} sits by the gate to the palace. Make sure that you do absolutely everything that you have said.”

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w liked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Go|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w quickly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*! \w Take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w described|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w sits|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sure|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w absolutely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

So Haman {did what the king commanded. He} got the robe and the horse. He put the robe on Mordecai, seated him on the horse, and then led the horse through the public square of the city. As he did, he shouted out to everyone in front of him, “The king is doing this because he really wants to honor this man!”

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w got|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w seated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w led|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w horse|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w through|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w public|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w square|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="8"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w As|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w shouted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w front|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, “\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w doing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w honor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*!”

Then Mordecai went back to {his place at} the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, covering {his} head {because he felt so} humiliated.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w place|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hurried|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w covering|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w his|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w head|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w felt|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w humiliated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Haman {gathered} all his friends {together once again. He} told them and his wife Zeresh everything that had happened to him {that day. Some of his friends were also} his advisors{, and they} and his wife Zeresh told him, “Mordecai has begun to defeat you. Since he is one of the Jewish people, you will not win against him. Instead, he will certainly defeat you.”

\w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w gathered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w friends|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w once|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Zeresh|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happened|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w friends|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w his|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w advisors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*{, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w wife|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Zeresh|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, “\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w begun|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w defeat|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w Since|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jewish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w win|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w Instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w certainly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w defeat|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.”

While they were still talking together, {some of} the royal guardians arrived to bring Haman quickly to the banquet that Esther {and her servants} had prepared.

\w While|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w still|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w talking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w arrived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w bring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w quickly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prepared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So the king and Haman went to the {second} banquet that Queen Esther {had arranged for them}.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w arranged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

At that second banquet, while they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther again, “Now please tell me what you really want, Queen Esther. {Tell me,} and I will do it for you. {I will give you} anything you ask for, no matter how great it is.”

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w while|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drinking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w really|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w Tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*,} \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*. {\w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w matter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

Then Queen Esther replied, “If you are pleased with me, O king, I hope you will be willing to do what I ask. Please allow me to live, and please save my people. That is what I am asking for.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pleased|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w hope|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w willing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w allow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w save|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w am|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{I am appealing to you} because someone has turned my people and me over {to our enemies}, and they are going to destroy us completely. If someone had sold the men and {even} the women to be slaves, I would not have said anything about that to you, because that would not have been important enough to bother you, the king, with that.”

{\w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w am|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w appealing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w someone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w turned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w over|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w our|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w us|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w completely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w someone|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sold|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w slaves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w because|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enough|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w bother|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.”

Then King Ahasuerus responded to Queen Esther, “Who has done this? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w responded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w done|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*? \w Where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w dared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w such|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w thing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*?”

Esther responded, “The man who is our bitter enemy is this evil man Haman!” This made Haman terrified to be in the presence of the king and the queen.

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w responded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w our|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bitter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w evil|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w man|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*!” \w This|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w terrified|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w presence|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king became so angry that he got up and left the banquet of wine. He went {outside} into the palace garden {to decide what to do}. But Haman stayed {inside} to beg Queen Esther to save his life because he recognized that the king wanted to execute him.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w got|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w left|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w banquet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w went|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w outside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w into|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w garden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w decide|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stayed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w inside|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w beg|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w save|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w recognized|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w execute|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{As he was pleading for his life,} Haman knelt down very close to Esther as she was {reclining} on a {banqueting} couch. When the king returned from the palace garden to the room where they had been drinking wine, {he saw this}. The king exclaimed, “He is even trying to rape the queen in my presence and in my own house!” As soon as the king said this, {some of his servants} covered Haman’s face {as a sign that he would be executed}.

{\w As|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w pleading|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w knelt|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w close|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w reclining|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w banqueting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w couch|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w returned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w garden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w room|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w drinking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w exclaimed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w trying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w rape|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w presence|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*!” \w As|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w soon|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, {\w some|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w covered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w face|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w as|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sign|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w executed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

Then Harbona, who was one of the guardians who served the king personally, said, “O king! Haman has also set up a pole twenty-five meters high at his house because he wants to hang Mordecai on it. But Mordecai saved your life.” The king said, “Hang Haman on it!”

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Harbona|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w guardians|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w served|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w personally|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, “\w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*! \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w twenty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*-\w five|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w meters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w high|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w at|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w house|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w saved|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w life|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.” \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, “\w Hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*!”

So they hung Haman on the pole that he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king stopped being so angry.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hung|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w set|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stopped|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w being|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w angry|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

That same day, King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther all the property that had belonged to Haman. He had been the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was {her cousin and that he had been like a father} to her. When he learned that, {the king summoned} Mordecai to come to him.

\w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w property|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w enemy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w cousin|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w like|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w father|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w learned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*, {\w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w summoned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{When the king sentenced Haman to death,} the king took back from Haman the ring that had the king’s official seal on it {and the king was wearing it again.} The king now took the ring off and gave it to Mordecai, {to show that Mordecai would have the power to act with the king’s authority.} Esther also put Mordecai in charge of all the property that had belonged to Haman.

{\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w sentenced|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w death|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wearing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w off|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*, {\w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w power|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w act|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w authority|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.} \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w charge|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w property|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.

Then Esther came to speak to the king again. {To show him how desperately she was pleading,} Esther knelt down and put her face right on top of his feet. She cried as she begged him to stop the terrible plan of Haman the Agagite to destroy the Jews.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w speak|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w To|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w desperately|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pleading|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w knelt|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w face|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w right|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w top|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w feet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w She|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cried|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w begged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w stop|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w terrible|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Agagite|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king held out his golden scepter toward Esther, so she got up {off the floor} and stood facing the king.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w held|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w golden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scepter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w toward|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w got|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w up|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w off|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w floor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stood|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w facing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Then Esther said, “Your majesty, if you think that it is the right thing to do, and if you are pleased with me, please write a new letter revoking the letters that Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, sent out. His letters said to destroy all the Jews everywhere in your empire.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, “\w Your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w majesty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w if|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w think|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w right|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w thing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w if|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pleased|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w write|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w new|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w revoking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w son|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Hammedatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Agagite|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w His|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everywhere|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{I am asking this} because I cannot bear to see the terrible thing that is about to happen to my people. They are my kindred. I cannot bear to see people destroy them.”

{\w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w am|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w asking|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w cannot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w bear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w terrible|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w thing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w happen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w are|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w kindred|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w cannot|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w bear|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

King Ahasuerus replied to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “As you know, I have given to Esther all the property that belonged to Haman, and I had my servants hang Haman on a wooden pole because he wanted to kill all the Jews.

\w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w As|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w given|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w property|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wooden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{You also know that} no one can revoke a letter that has my name and my official seal on it, {such as the letter that Haman wrote}. So this is what you should do. Write {a new letter} to help the Jews, as you think best. {I give you permission to} put my name on it and to seal {the letter} with the ring that has my official seal on it.”

{\w You|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w can|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w revoke|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w name|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*, {\w such|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Write|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w new|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w help|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w think|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w give|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w permission|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w name|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w has|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.”

So the king sent for his scribes. {They came and} they wrote a letter saying everything that Mordecai told them {to write}. {They wrote this letter} on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan, {in the twelfth year that Ahasuerus reigned as king of Persia}. The letter addressed the Jews {in the empire}, but they also sent {copies of the letter} to the royal officials, and to the governors and leaders in each province. The empire {of Ahasuerus} had 127 provinces, extending all the way from India {in the east} to Ethiopia {in the west}. The scribes wrote to {people in} every province using its own alphabet and to each people group in its own language. They wrote {especially} to the Jews, in their alphabet and in their own language.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. {\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w*} \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w saying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w write|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. {\w They|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w twenty|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*-\w third|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w third|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Sivan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w reigned|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w addressed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*}, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="10" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w governors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w leaders|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 127|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w provinces|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w extending|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="11" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w India|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="12" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w east|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w Ethiopia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="13" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w west|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w The|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* {\w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w*} \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w using|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w alphabet|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w language|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* {\w especially|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="14" x-occurrences="14"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w in|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w alphabet|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w language|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Mordecai signed {each copy of the letter} with the name of King Ahasuerus, and he sealed {each one} with the ring that had the king’s official seal on it. Couriers on horseback delivered the letters. They rode fast horses that were only for the king’s service. These horses were born in the king’s own stables.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w signed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w copy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w name|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sealed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w each|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w with|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w ring|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Couriers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w horseback|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w delivered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rode|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w horses|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w only|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w service|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w These|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w horses|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w born|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w stables|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{Each copy of the letter said} that the king permits the Jews throughout the empire to join together and to fight to protect themselves. {The king’s letter} also {permits them} to completely destroy any group of armed men from any people or province who would attack them. {The letter} also {permits them} to kill the women and children {of those who would attack them}, and to take the possessions of the people {whom they kill}.

{\w Each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w permits|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w join|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w protect|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w permits|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w completely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w group|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w armed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w any|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w or|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w attack|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*. {\w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w permits|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w women|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w children|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w attack|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w possessions|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w whom|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w kill|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

{The letter permitted all the Jews} in every province throughout the empire {to do this} on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, {in that same year}.

{\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w permitted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, {\w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w same|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

{The letter told the officials} in every single province to display copies of the letter where everyone could see them so that people would know that the king had commanded this, and so that the Jews would be ready to fight back against their enemies when the day came.

{\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w display|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w where|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w could|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w see|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w know|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ready|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king commanded the couriers to deliver the letters as quickly as possible. {He sent them out} on his own fast horses. The king’s officials also proclaimed the new law {and displayed copies of the letter} in the capital city of Susa.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w commanded|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w couriers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w deliver|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w quickly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w possible|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fast|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w horses|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w proclaimed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w new|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w law|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w displayed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The king gave Mordecai {special things to wear to show that he was now his most important official. He gave him} a blue and white royal garment, a large golden crown, and a purple robe made of fine linen. Mordecai put these on and left the palace. {When} the people of Susa {saw him, they} shouted joyfully.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w special|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wear|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w show|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w most|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gave|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w blue|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w white|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w garment|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w large|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w golden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w crown|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w purple|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w robe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fine|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w linen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w put|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w these|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w left|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w palace|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w saw|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w shouted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joyfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The Jews in Susa were very happy, and other people honored them.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w honored|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

In every single province and in every single city, wherever {the couriers} brought the letter announcing the king’s decree, the Jews rejoiced greatly and had big celebrations. Many people from other groups in the empire became very afraid of the Jews, so they became Jews themselves.

\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w wherever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w couriers|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w brought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w announcing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w rejoiced|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w greatly|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w big|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrations|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w groups|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w afraid|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month {of that year}, the month of Adar, it was time for everyone to do what the letters from the king said that he had decreed for them to do. The enemies of the Jews had expected to destroy the Jews on that day. But just the opposite happened. Instead, it was the Jews who destroyed their enemies.

\w On|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w twelfth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w time|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w decreed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w expected|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="8" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w opposite|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happened|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w it|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="9" x-occurrences="9"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destroyed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

Throughout the empire, the Jews joined together in their cities to defend themselves against those who wanted to harm them. No one was able to fight back against them because everyone in the empire had become very afraid of them, {so no one helped anyone who attacked the Jews}.

\w Throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w joined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w cities|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w defend|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w harm|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w No|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w able|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w back|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w afraid|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*, {\w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w helped|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w anyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w attacked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

All the leaders in each province, the royal officials, the governors, and everyone who worked for the king helped the Jews because they had become very afraid of Mordecai.

\w All|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w leaders|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w each|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w province|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w officials|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w governors|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w worked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w helped|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w become|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w afraid|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

They were afraid of Mordecai because he was a very important royal official. Throughout the empire, everyone was hearing about how great he was because Mordecai kept becoming more and more powerful.

\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w afraid|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w official|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w hearing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w kept|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w becoming|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w powerful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{On the day when they were allowed to defend themselves}, the Jews took their weapons and fought against all of their enemies. The Jews destroyed them completely. They were able to do everything that they wanted to do against their enemies.

{\w On|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w allowed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w defend|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w took|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w weapons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fought|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w destroyed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w completely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w able|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wanted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 500|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{The Jews} also {killed the ten sons of Haman. The names of his sons were} Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

{\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w names|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Parshandatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Dalphon|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Aspatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,

\w Poratha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Adalia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Aridatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,

\w Parmashta|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Arisai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w Aridai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Vaizatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

These were the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. The Jews killed them, but they did not take the things that belonged to them.

\w These|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w son|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Hammedatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w enemy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w but|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

At the end of the day, someone came in and reported to the king how many people the Jews had killed in the capital city of Susa.

\w At|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w end|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w someone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w came|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w reported|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So the king said to Queen Esther, “Here in the capital city of Susa the Jews have killed 500 men, including the ten sons of Haman. In the rest of my empire, they must have killed many more than that! So, what else do you want? Tell me, and I will do it for you. I will do whatever you ask, so please tell me what you want.”

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w said|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w Here|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w capital|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w city|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w 500|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w including|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w rest|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w my|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w must|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w many|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*! \w So|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w else|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*? \w Tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w I|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*. \w I|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w whatever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w ask|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w me|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w want|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.”

Esther replied, “If it seems like a good plan to you, O king, then please allow the Jews who {live here} in Susa to do again tomorrow what you allowed them to do today. Also, command {your servants} to hang {the bodies of} Haman’s ten sons on wooden poles.”

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w replied|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, “\w If|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w seems|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w like|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w good|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w O|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w please|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w allow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w here|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tomorrow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w you|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w allowed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w today|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w command|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w your|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w bodies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wooden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w poles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.”

The king did as {Esther} asked. He issued a decree {allowing the Jews} in Susa {to fight against their enemies again the next day}, and {he ordered his servants} to hang {the bodies of} Haman’s ten sons.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w asked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w issued|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w allowing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w next|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ordered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w bodies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

And so on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, the Jews who {lived} in Susa joined together again and killed 300 {more} men in Susa. But {once again} they did not take the things that belonged to those men.

\w And|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w joined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 300|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w more|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w men|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w once|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w again|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w men|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

The Jews who {lived} in the other parts of the empire, who had joined together to fight for their lives {on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar}, had defeated their enemies and killed 75,000 of them {on that day}. But they did not take the things that had belonged to their enemies.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w other|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w parts|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w who|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w joined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w lives|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w defeated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w 75|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,\w 000|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w take|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w belonged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

{After defeating their enemies} on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, they rested on the fourteenth day. They devoted the fourteenth day as a day to celebrate joyfully.

{\w After|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w defeating|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w devoted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joyfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

But the Jews who {lived} in Susa joined together {to fight against their enemies} on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the month {of Adar}. They rested on the fifteenth day. They devoted that day to celebrating joyfully.

\w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joined|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w together|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w against|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w both|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w thirteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w rested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fifteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w devoted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w celebrating|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joyfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

That is why the Jews who live in rural villages observe this holiday on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar {rather than on the fifteenth day}. They do this by celebrating joyfully and by giving gifts to one another.

\w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w live|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rural|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w villages|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w holiday|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w rather|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w than|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fifteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w celebrating|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joyfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w giving|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gifts|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w another|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai wrote down everything that had happened. Then he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the empire, everywhere that they lived.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happened|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letters|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w everywhere|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

He established {a holiday on} the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar. He told the Jews to observe it every single year

\w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w established|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w holiday|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w fifteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w single|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*

because those were the days when the Jews rested and no longer had to fight their enemies. That was the month when everything had changed for them. They had been deeply distressed {because their enemies were going to destroy them}. But then they became very happy {after they were safe from all their enemies}. {So Mordecai told them} to observe those days with joyful celebration and by giving gifts to one another. {Mordecai} also {told them that} they should help the poor on those days.

\w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w rested|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w no|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w longer|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fight|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*. \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w when|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w everything|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w changed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w been|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w deeply|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w distressed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w because|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w going|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w*}. \w But|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w happy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w after|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w safe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w enemies|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*}. {\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w joyful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebration|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w by|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w giving|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w gifts|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w one|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w another|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w told|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w they|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w help|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w poor|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w*.

The Jews were already celebrating those days that way. So they {readily} agreed to do what Mordecai had instructed them to do.

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w were|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w already|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrating|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w readily|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w agreed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w instructed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*.

{They would celebrate those days to remember} how Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had tried to destroy them. He had thrown a Pur (that is, a lot) {to find out what would be the best day} to attack the Jews and destroy them completely.

{\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w celebrate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w remember|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w son|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Hammedatha|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Agagite|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w enemy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w tried|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w thrown|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Pur|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* (\w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w lot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*) {\w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w find|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w out|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w best|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w day|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w attack|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w completely|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{They would also remember how Esther dared to} come before the king {even though he did not summon her}. Then the king {allowed Mordecai to} send a letter {throughout the empire} saying that the king would make Haman’s evil plan to destroy the Jews happen to Haman instead. The king also ordered his servants to hang Haman on a wooden pole. When the Jews in Susa killed his ten sons, the king had his servants hang their bodies, as well.

{\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w remember|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w how|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w dared|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w*} \w come|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w before|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="5"\w* {\w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w though|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w not|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w summon|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w her|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. \w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w* {\w allowed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="5"\w*} \w send|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w saying|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w evil|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w plan|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w destroy|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w happen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w instead|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w ordered|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Haman|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w wooden|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w pole|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w When|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Susa|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w killed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w ten|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sons|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="7" x-occurrences="7"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="5"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w servants|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w hang|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w bodies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w well|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

The {Persian} word {for “lot”} is “Pur.” That is why {the Jews} gave the name Purim to this celebration. Because of all of the amazing things that they had just experienced and because {Mordecai then} wrote {to them to tell them to observe this holiday},

\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Persian|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w word|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* “\w lot|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*”} \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* “\w Pur|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.” \w That|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w gave|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w name|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w celebration|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w Because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w amazing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w just|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w experienced|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w tell|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w holiday|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*},

the Jews agreed to establish those two days as holidays and to observe them in the way that {Mordecai} had told them, on those specific days. They agreed that they and their descendants and everyone who became part of the Jewish people {would celebrate this festival of Purim} every year, forever.

\w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w agreed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w establish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w two|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w holidays|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w told|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w specific|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w agreed|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w descendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w who|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w became|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w part|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jewish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrate|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w festival|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w year|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w forever|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

So that is why every Jewish family in every generation {since} has celebrated these days as holidays, everywhere they have lived. The Jewish community and its descendants will always faithfully observe this festival of Purim.

\w So|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w is|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w why|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jewish|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w family|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w every|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w generation|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w since|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w has|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w these|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w holidays|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w everywhere|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w they|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w have|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w lived|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jewish|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w community|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w its|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w descendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w will|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w always|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w faithfully|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w observe|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w festival|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with {help from} Mordecai the Jew, wrote a second letter about Purim. Because Esther was the queen, she was able to command the Jews to obey {what Mordecai had written} about Purim {in his letter}.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*, \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w daughter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Abihail|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w with|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w help|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w from|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w about|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*. \w Because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w she|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w able|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w command|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w obey|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w what|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w written|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w about|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*}.

They sent {copies of this second} letter to all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Ahasuerus. It encouraged them that {their situation was now} peaceful and secure.

\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sent|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w copies|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w entire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w It|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w encouraged|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w them|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w situation|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w now|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w peaceful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w secure|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{In this second letter,} Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther confirmed that Purim should be celebrated on the {fourteenth and fifteenth} days {of the month of Adar}. {They also confirmed} that the Jews should continue the times of fasting and mourning that the Jews had established for themselves and their descendants.

{\w In|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w this|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w second|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w letter|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*,} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Queen|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w confirmed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w be|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w celebrated|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="6"\w* {\w fourteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w fifteenth|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w days|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w month|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Adar|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}. {\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w confirmed|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w should|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w continue|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="5" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w times|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w fasting|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w mourning|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="6" x-occurrences="6"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w established|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w themselves|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w their|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w descendants|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Esther issued a decree establishing Purim {as a holiday for the Jews}, and the {royal scribes} wrote it down in the book {of laws}.

\w Esther|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w issued|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w decree|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w establishing|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Purim|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w as|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w holiday|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w for|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}, \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* {\w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w it|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w down|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w book|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w laws|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*}.

Then King Ahasuerus imposed a tax {on everyone} throughout his empire, even {on those living} on the islands of the {Mediterranean} Sea.

\w Then|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w imposed|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w tax|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w on|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w everyone|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w throughout|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*, \w even|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w on|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w those|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w living|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w on|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w islands|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w Mediterranean|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w Sea|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

{The king’s scribes} made a record in the royal chronicles of Media and Persia of all the great things that King Ahasuerus accomplished because he was so powerful. {They} also {wrote} there in a complete way the great {things that} Mordecai {did} because the king had promoted him to a very important position.

{\w The|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w*’\w s|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w scribes|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w made|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w record|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w royal|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w chronicles|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w Media|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w and|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Persia|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w all|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w things|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w accomplished|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w powerful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. {\w They|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w wrote|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w there|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w complete|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w way|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w great|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* {\w things|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w*} \w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w did|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w because|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w king|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w had|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w promoted|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w very|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w important|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w position|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.

Mordecai the Jew was able to do so much because he was the most powerful person in the empire after King Ahasuerus. He was also a leader among his own people. All of his fellow Jews respected him. He worked {hard} to make sure that the Jews would always prosper.

\w Mordecai|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jew|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w able|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w to|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w do|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w so|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w much|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w because|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w he|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w most|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w powerful|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w person|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w in|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w empire|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w after|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w King|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Ahasuerus|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w was|x-occurrence="3" x-occurrences="3"\w* \w also|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w a|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w leader|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w among|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w own|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w people|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w All|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w of|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w his|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w fellow|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w respected|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w him|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*. \w He|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w worked|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* {\w hard|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*} \w to|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w make|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w sure|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w that|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w the|x-occurrence="4" x-occurrences="4"\w* \w Jews|x-occurrence="2" x-occurrences="2"\w* \w would|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w always|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w* \w prosper|x-occurrence="1" x-occurrences="1"\w*.