ES-3:1 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the

son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his

seat above all the princes that [were] with him.

ES-3:2 And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's

gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded

concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.

ES-3:3 Then the king's servants, which [were] in the king's gate,

 said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's

commandment?

ES-3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and

he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether

Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he

[was] a Jew.

ES-3:5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him

reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

ES-3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for

they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman

sought to destroy all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole

kingdom of Ahasuerus, [even] the people of Mordecai.

ES-3:7 In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the

twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the

lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to]

the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar.

ES-3:8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain

people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all

the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are] diverse from

all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it [is]

not for the king's profit to suffer them.

ES-3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be

destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the

hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring

[it] into the king's treasuries.

ES-3:10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it

unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

ES-3:11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver [is] given to

thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to

thee.

ES-3:12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth

day of the first month, and there was written according to all

that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the

governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of

every people of every province according to the writing thereof,

and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king

Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

ES-3:13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's

provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews,

 both young and old, little children and women, in one day,

[even] upon the thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is

the month Adar, and [to take] the spoil of them for a prey.

ES-3:14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in

every province was published unto all people, that they should

be ready against that day.ES-3:15 The posts went out, being

hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in

Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink;

but the city Shushan was perplexed.

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