in the third year of his reign, he made a banquet for all his rulers and his servants. The power of Persia and Media, the nobles and the rulers of the provinces, were before him,
And all the acts of his authority and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, with which the king made him great, are they not written in the Book of he Matters of the Days of the Kings of Media and Persia?
A harsh vision is revealed to me; the one betraying betrays, and the one ravaging ravages. Go up, O Elam! Besiege, O Media! I have caused all her sighing to cease.
For many nations and great kings will lay service on them, even they. And I will repay them according to their deeds, and according to the work of their own hands.
Polish the arrows, fill the shields; Jehovah has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes. For His plan is against Babylon, to destroy it, because it is the vengeance of Jehovah, the vengeance of His temple.
Lift up a banner in the land. Blow a rams’ horn among the nations; consecrate nations against her. Make hear the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz together against her, set an official against her. Cause the horses to come up like rough locusts.
And the land trembles and writhes in pain. For every purpose of Jehovah shall rise against Babylon, to set up the land of Babylon a waste without one living in it.
Now, O king, lift up the decree and sign the writing, so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not pass away.