1 And this was the copy of the letter. The most great king Artaxerxes from India unto Æthiopia, to the Princes of an hundred and seven & twenty provinces, and to the captains that are subject to his empire, greeting.
1 And this was the copy of the letter: Artaxerxes the great king who reigneth from India to Ethiopia, to the princes and governors of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces, that are subject to his empire, greeting.
2 Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had subdued all the world to my dominion, I would not abuse the greatness of my might, but with clemency & lenity govern my subjects, that passing their life quietly without any terror, they might enjoy peace wished of all men.
2 Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought all the world under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse the greatness of my power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and lenity that they might live quietly without any terror, and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all men,
3 But when I demanded of my counsellers how this might be accomplished, one that excelled the rest in wisdom & fidelity, & was second after the king, Aman by name,
3 But when I asked my counselors how this might be accomplished, one that excelled the rest in wisdom and fidelity, and was second after the king, Aman by name,
4 told me that there was a people dispersed through the whole world, which used new laws, and doing against the customs of all Nations, contemned the commandments of kings, and brake the concord of all nations by their dissension.
4 Told me that there was a people scattered through the whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations, despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the concord of all nations.
5 Which when we had learned, seeing one nation rebellious against all kind of men to use perverse laws, & to go against our commandments, and to disturb the peace and concord of the Provinces subject to us,
5 Wherefore having learned this, and seeing one nation in opposition to all mankind using perverse laws, and going against our commandments, and disturbing the peace and concord of the provinces subject to us,
6 we have commanded that whomsoever Aman shall shew, who is chief over all the Provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honour in stead of a father, they with their wives and children be destroyed of their enemies, and that none have pity on them the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
6 We have commanded that all whom Aman shall mark out, who is chief over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honor as a father, shall be utterly destroyed by their enemies, with their wives and children, and that none shall have pity on them, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
7 that the wicked men going down to hell in one day, may restore the peace to our empire, which they had disturbed.
7 That these wicked men going down to hell in one day, may restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.
8 But Mardocheus besought our Lord, mindful of all his works,
8 But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works,
9 and said: Lord Lord King omnipotent, for in thy dominion are all things set, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to save Israel.
9 And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to save Israel.
10 Thou madest heaven and earth, and whatsoever is contained in the compass of heaven.
10 Thou hast made heaven and earth and all things that are under the cope of heaven.
11 Thou art Lord of all, neither is there that can resist thy majesty.
11 Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist thy majesty.
12 Thou understandest all things, and knowest that I have not done this for pride and contumely, and any desire of glory, that I adored not the proud Aman,
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not out of pride and contempt or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Aman
13 (for gladly would I be ready for the salvation of Israel to kiss even the steps of his feet,)
13 (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet)
14 but I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any except my God.
14 But I feared lest I should transfer the honor of my God to a man, and lest I should adore anyone except my God.
15 And now o Lord King, the God of Abraham have mercy upon thy people, because our enemies will destroy us, and extinguish thine inheritance.
15 And now, O Lord, O King, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy inheritance.
16 Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed to thyself out of Ægypt.
16 Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out of Egypt.
17 Hear my prayer, and be propitious to thy lot and cord, and turn our mourning into joy, that living we may praise thy name o Lord, and do not shut the mouths of them that sing to thee.
17 Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, O Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.
18 All Israel also with like mind and supplication cried to our Lord, because certain death did hang over them.
18 And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.