So Hathachwentout to Mordecaito the citysquarein frontof the king'sgate.
In eachand everyprovincewherethe commandand decreeof the kingcame,there was greatmourningamong the Jews,with fasting,weepingand wailing;and manylayon sackclothand ashes.
Then EsthersummonedHathachfrom the king'seunuchs,whomthe king had appointedto attendher, and orderedhim [to go] to Mordecaito learnwhatthis[was] and whyit [was].
Mordecaitoldhim allthat had happenedto him, and the exactamountof moneythat Hamanhad promisedto payto the king'streasuriesfor the destructionof the Jews.
And the kingsaidto Estheron the seconddayalsoas they dranktheir wineat the banquet,"Whatis your petition,QueenEsther?It shall be grantedyou. And whatis your request?Evento halfof the kingdomit shall be done."
The kingsaidto QueenEsther,"The Jewshave killedand destroyedfivehundredmenand the tensonsof Hamanat the citadelin Susa.Whatthen have they donein the restof the king'sprovinces!Now whatis your petition?It shall even be grantedyou. And whatis your furtherrequest?It shall also be done."
