Inspire Catholic Bible - Esther - Flipbook - Page 14
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Esther E:21
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March 7* you must aid them in their time of hardship so that they
may defend themselves against those who will attack them. 21 For
the all-powerful God has turned this day of destruction into a day
of joy for his chosen people. 22 You will celebrate this day as another
important festival. 23 From now on, Jews and loyal Persians will
remember this day as a time of deliverance, but those who plot
against us will only be reminded of their downfall. 24 Every single
province and city that does not obey these orders will be viciously
destroyed by spear and fire. Their land will become uninhabitable
for human beings, and even the wild animals and birds will
stay away.”
The King’s New Decree Is Published
(continued) 13 A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in e very
province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would
be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day. 14 So
urged on by the king’s command, the messengers rode out swiftly on
fast horses bred for the king’s service. The same decree was also pro
claimed in the fortress of Susa.
15 Then Mordecai left the king’s presence, wearing the royal robe of
blue and white, the great crown of gold, and an outer cloak of fine linen
and purple. And the people of Susa celebrated the new decree. 16 The
Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere.
17 In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews
rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and
holiday. And many of the people of the land became J ews themselves,
for they feared what the Jews might do to them.
8
The Victory of the Jews
So on March 7* the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On
that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but
quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their
enemies. 2 The J ews gathered in their cities throughout all the king’s
provinces to attack anyone who tried to harm them. But no one could
make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them. 3 And all
the nobles of the provinces, the highest officers, the governors, and the
royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai. 4 For Mordecai had
been promoted in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all
the provinces as he became more and more powerful.
5 So the J ews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their
enemies with the sword. They killed and annihilated their enemies and
did as they pleased with those who hated them. 6 In the fortress of Susa
itself, the Jews killed 500 men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon,
Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vai
zatha—10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the
Jews. But they did not take any plunder.
11 That very day, when the king was informed of the number of people
killed in the fortress of Susa, 12 he called for Queen Esther. He said, “The
Jews have killed 500 men in the fortress of Susa alone, as well as Haman’s
ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of
the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to
you; tell me and I will do it.”
13 Esther responded, “If it please the king, give the Jews in Susa
9
E:20 Greek the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is Adar, of the ancient Hebrew lunar
calendar. This date was March 7, 473 b.c.; also see note on A:1c. 9:1 Hebrew on the thirteenth
day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar. This day was
March 7, 473 b.c.; also see note on 2:16.
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