Inspire Catholic Bible - Esther - Flipbook - Page 13
Esther E:20
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dispatches by swift messengers, who rode fast horses especially bred
for the king’s service.
11 The king’s decree gave the J ews in every city authority to unite to
defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate
anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their
children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. 12 The day
chosen for this event throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes was
March 7 of the next year.*
Mordecai’s Letter
This is a copy of Mordecai’s letter:
E
“This letter is from the great King Xerxes to the governors of his
127 provinces from India to Ethiopia and to our loyal subjects.*
Greetings.
2 “For many people, the more good things they receive from
their benefactors, the more proud they become. 3 Not only do they
seek to oppress the king’s subjects, but they are unable to enjoy the
success given them. So they turn against their own benefactors.
4 Not only do they drive out gratitude from others, but they also
become proud from the flattery of those who don’t know what
good really is. They think they can escape the justice of God,
who sees all things and hates evil. 5 Often higher authorities are
sweet-talked into granting public offices to friends, who then use
their position to kill innocent people. In this way they involve the
higher authority in irreparable tragedies, 6 for they deceive the
well-meaning rulers with false trickery.
7 “Now this is proved both from ancient records and even more
by recent events, which show the kind of evil that results from the
destructive behavior of unworthy rulers. 8 In the future we must
provide for the peace and quiet of all the people of the kingdom.
9 We must change our methods and use a more just process for
judging matters that are brought to our attention.
10 “For example, we received Haman son of Hammedatha, a
Macedonian (so he was not even Persian and did not share in our kind
nature), as a guest. 11 He benefited from the kindness that we show
toward all people—so much so that everyone called him “father” and
bowed down to him, regarding him as second in power only to the
king. 12 But he was so filled with arrogance that he tried to deprive
us of our kingdom and our lives. 13 With unbelievable craftiness
and deceit, he has sought the destruction of Mordecai, our constant
benefactor who saved our lives; of Esther, the blameless royal partner;
and of their entire nation. 14 In this way, Haman thought that he could
make us defenseless and then transfer the kingdom of the Persians to
the Macedonians. 15 But we have found that the Jews, who were slated
to be slain by that most hated man, are not evil. In fact, they have just
laws, 16 and they are the children of the living God, the Most High and
greatest God. It is by this God’s direction that the kingdom has been
excellently maintained for us as well as for our ancestors.
17 “Therefore, you should disregard the letters sent by Haman
son of Hammedatha. 18 He and all his household were impaled
for this crime at the gates of Susa. God, who rules over all things,
has swiftly repaid him as he deserved. 19 Post a copy of this letter
in all public places, and let the Jews follow their own laws. 20 On
8:12 Hebrew the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, of the ancient Hebrew lunar
calendar. The date selected was March 7, 473 b.c.; also see note on 2:16. E:1 See note at A:1a.
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