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1 The copy of the letters was this: The great king Artexerxes writeth these things to the princes and governours
that are under him from India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.
2 After that I became lord over many nations and had dominion over the whole world, not lifted up with
presumption of my authority, but carrying myself always with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle
my subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom peaceable, and open for passage to the
utmost coasts, to renew peace, which is desired of all men.
3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass, Aman, that excelled in wisdom among
us, and was approved for his constant good will and steadfast fidelity, and had the honour of the second
place in the kingdom,
4 Declared unto us, that in all nations throughout the world there was scattered a certain malicious people,
that had laws contrary to all nations, and continually despised the commandments of kings, so as the
uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us cannot go forward.
5 Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in opposition unto all men, differing
in the strange manner of their laws, and evil affected to our state, working all the mischief they can
that our kingdom may not be firmly established:
6 Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained
over the affairs, and is next unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed
by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar
of this present year:
7 That they, who of old and now also are malicious, may in one day with violence go into the grave, and
so ever hereafter cause our affairs to be well settled, and without trouble.
9 Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world is in thy power, and if thou hast appointed
to save Israel, there is no man that can gainsay thee:
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any
desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.
13 For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.
14 But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship
any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride.
15 And now, O Lord God and King, spare thy people: for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought; yea,
they desire to destroy the inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.