Esther, 16

1. The great king Artexerxes unto the princes and governors of an hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto Ethiopia, and unto all our faithful subjects, greeting.

1. The text of the letter read as follows: "The great King Ahasuerus to the satraps, governors and all our loyal subjects in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia: Greetings!

2. Many, the more often they are honoured with the great bounty of their gracious princes, the more proud they are waxen,

2. The more some men are honored through the generosity of their patrons, the prouder they become.

3. And endeavour to hurt not our subjects only, but not being able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practise also against those that do them good:

3. Gloating in their power and incapable of responsibility, they seek to injure our subjects and even plot against their own benefactors.

4. And take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons, that were never good, they think to escape the justice of God, that seeth all things and hateth evil.

4. They drive out gratitude from the human heart. Carried away by the arrogant boasts of men who know nothing of goodness, they think they will escape the justice of the all-seeing God.

5. Oftentimes also fair speech of those, that are put in trust to manage their friends' affairs, hath caused many that are in authority to be partakers of innocent blood, and hath enwrapped them in remediless calamities:

5. It often happens also that those in authority, through the influence of friends entrusted with the administration of public affairs, become partly responsible for the shedding of innocent blood and are involved in causing irremediable misfortune.

6. Beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their lewd disposition the innocency and goodness of princes.

6. Even well-intentioned rulers are led astray by the trickery of the corrupt.

7. Now ye may see this, as we have declared, not so much by ancient histories, as ye may, if ye search what hath been wickedly done of late through the pestilent behaviour of them that are unworthily placed in authority.

7. These evil practices of past times, as attested by the records, have been carried over to the present in the crimes perpetrated by unworthy officials.

8. And we must take care for the time to come, that our kingdom may be quiet and peaceable for all men,

8. For the future, however, we will strive to make our kingdom a realm of peace for all

9. Both by changing our purposes, and always judging things that are evident with more equal proceeding.

9. by starting now to adopt new policies and by treating with the utmost justice all matters that come to our attention.

10. For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, and as a stranger received of us,

10. To give an example, Haman, son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian who is alien to Persian blood and devoid of our kindness, was treated hospitably by us.

11. Had so far forth obtained the favour that we shew toward every nation, as that he was called our father, and was continually honoured of all the next person unto the king.

11. Enjoying the goodwill that we have towards every nation, he was even proclaimed our "father," before whom, as second in rank to the king, everyone bowed down.

12. But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us of our kingdom and life:

12. But his arrogance turned his head, and he schemed to deprive us of our kingdom and our life.

13. Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation.

13. He plotted for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, of Esther, our blameless royal partner, and of their entire race.

14. For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.

14. In that way he hoped to make us defenseless and facilitate the transfer of rule by the Persians to the Macedonians.

15. But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws:

15. 'We find, however, that the Jews consigned to extinction by this accursed man are not evildoers but are governed by the most just of laws.

16. And that they be children of the most high and most mighty, living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner.

16. They are, in fact, children of the Most High, the great living God, who has made our kingdom prosperous for us and for our ancestors.

17. Wherefore ye shall do well not to put in execution the letters sent unto you by Aman the son of Amadatha.

17. You will, therefore, do well to ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of Hammedatha,

18. For he that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the gates of Susa with all his family: God, who ruleth all things, speedily rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts.

18. for the man himself, together with his entire family, has been hanged at the gate of Susa. Thus speedily has God, who rules over all, given him the punishment he deserved.

19. Therefore ye shall publish the copy of this letter in all places, that the Jews may freely live after their own laws.

19. Post a copy of this letter in every public place, give the Jews freedom to live by their own laws,

20. And ye shall aid them, that even the same day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them.

20. and come to their aid in time of trial against those who plan to attack them on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.

21. For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day, wherein the chosen people should have perished.

21. For God, who rules over all, has turned this day from one of destruction into one of joy for his chosen people.

22. Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high day with all feasting:

22. You should, therefore, celebrate this memorable day among your designated feasts with all rejoicing,

23. That both now and hereafter there may be safety to us and the well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against us a memorial of destruction.

23. so that both now and hereafter it may be for us and the loyal Persians a celebration of salvation, and for those who plot against us a reminder of destruction.

24. Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not do according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy with fire and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever. .

24. Every city and country, without exception, that fails to observe this decree shall be ruthlessly destroyed with sword and fire. It will then be ever left untrodden not only by men but by the beasts and birds as well.