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."
Then the kingsaidto her, "Whatis [troubling] you, QueenEsther?And whatis your request?Evento halfof the kingdomit shall be givento you."
As they dranktheir wineat the banquet,the kingsaidto Esther,"Whatis your petition,for it shall be grantedto you. And whatis your request?Evento halfof the kingdomit shall be done."
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."
On that daythe numberof those who were killedat the citadelin Susawas reportedto the king.
The Jewswhowere in Susaassembledalsoon the fourteenthdayof the monthAdarand killedthreehundredmenin Susa,but they did not laytheir handson the plunder.
The commandertookhim by the handand stepping aside,[began] to inquireof him privately,"Whatis it that you haveto reportto me?"
