The runners, riders on stallions, royal mules, went out, being hurried and pressed on by the king’s command. And the order was given at Shushan the palace.
And the runners went with letters from the king’s hand, and his leaders, to all Israel and Judah; even by the king’s command, saying, O sons of Israel return to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. And He shall return to the remnant left of you from the palm of the king of Assyria.
And let the king appoint overseers in all the provinces of his kingdom, so that they may gather together every young woman, good of form, a virgin, to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the hand of Hegai the king’s eunuch, keeper of the women, to give their purifiers.
And the documents were sent by the runners 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, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder them for a prize.
The runners went out, being burned by the king’s word. And the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink. But the city, Shushan, was perplexed.
The copy of the writing to be made law in every province and province was revealed to all peoples, even to the Jews being ready for this day, to avenge themselves on their enemies.
And Mordecai went out from before the king in apparel of the kingdom, of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple. And the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
And I saw in the vision, and it happened in my seeing that I was at Shushan, the palace, which is in the province of Elam. And in a vision I saw, and I was by the Ulai Canal.
And David said to Ahimelech, Is there not here under your hand a spear or sword? For I have taken neither my sword or my weapons, for the king’s matter was urgent.