1 After these things king Assuerus advance Aman the son of Amadathi, which was of the stock of Agag: and he put his throne above all the Princes which he had.
1 After these things, king Assuerus advanced Aman, the son of Amadathi, who was of the race of Agag: and he set his throne above all the princes that were with him.
2 And all the king's servants, that were in the doors of his palace, bowed their knees, and adored Aman: for so the Emperor had commanded them: only Mardocheus did not bow his knee, nor adore him.
2 And all the king’s servants, that were at the doors of the palace, bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the emperor had commanded them, only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him.
3 To whom the king's servants, that were chief at the doors of the palace, said: Why doest thou above the rest not observe the king's commandment?
3 And the king’s servants that were chief at the doors of the palace, said to him: Why dost thou alone not observe the king’s commandment?
4 And when they said this often, and he would not hear, they told Aman, desirous to know whether he would persevere in his sentence: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
4 And when they were saying this often, and he would not hearken to them, they told Aman, desirous to know whether he would continue in his resolution: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 Which Aman had heard, & had proved by experience that Mardocheus bowed not his knee unto him, nor adored him, he was angry exceedingly.
5 Now when Aman had heard this, and had proved by experience that Mardochai did not bend his knee to him, nor worship him, he was exceeding angry.
6 And he counted it a matter of nothing to lay his hands upon Mardocheus alone: for he had heard that he was of the nation of the Jews, and he would rather destroy all the nation of the Jews, that were in the Kingdom of Assuerus.
6 And he counted it nothing to lay his hands upon Mardochai alone: for he had heard that he was of the nation of the Jews, and he chose rather to destroy all the nation of the Jews that were in the kingdom of Assuerus.
7 The first month (which is called Nisan) in the twelfth year of the reign of Assuerus, the lot was cast into a pot which in Hebrew is called Phur, before Aman, in what day and what month the nation of the Jews should be slain: and there came forth the twelfth month, which is called Adar.
7 In the first month (which is called Nisan) in the twelfth year of the reign of Assuerus, the lot was cast into an urn, which in Hebrew is called Phur, before Aman, on what day and what month the nation of the Jews should be destroyed: and there came out the twelfth month, which is called Adar.
8 And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people dispersed through all the Provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, using new laws and ceremonies, moreover also contemning the king's ordinances: And thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that they wax insolent by liberty.
8 And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people scattered through all the provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, that use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king’s ordinances: and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that they should grow insolent by impunity.
9 If it please thee, decree that they may perish, & I will pay ten thousand talents to the cofferers of the treasure.
9 If it please thee, decree that they may be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents to thy treasurers.
10 The king therefore took the ring that he used, from his hand, and gave it to Aman the son of Amadathi of the progeny of Agag, the enemy of the Jews,
10 And the king took the ring that he used, from his own hand, and gave it to Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy of the Jews,
11 and he said to him: The silver which thou doest promise, be it thine: but concerning the people do that which pleaseth thee.
11 And he said to him: As to the money which thou promisest, keep it for thyself: and as to the people, do with them as seemeth good to thee.
12 And the king's scribes were called in the first month, Nisan, the thirteenth day of the same month: and it was written, as Aman had commanded, to all the king's lieutenants, and judges of the Provinces, and of diverse nations, as every nation could read, and hear according to the variety of languages, in the name of king Assuerus: and the letters signed with his ring,
12 And the king’s scribes were called in the first month Nisan, on the thirteenth day of the same month: and they wrote, as Aman had commanded, to all the king’s lieutenants, and to the judges of the provinces, and of divers nations, as every nation could read, and hear according to their different languages, in the name of king Assuerus: and the letters, sealed with his ring,
13 were sent by the king's posts to all provinces, that they should kill and destroy all the Jews, from boy unto old man, children, and women, in one day, that is, in the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and should spoil them of their goods.
13 Were sent by the king’s messengers to all provinces, to kill and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little children, and women, in one day, that is, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and to make a spoil of their goods.
14 And the content of the letters was this, that all Provinces might know, and prepare themselves against the day aforesaid.
14 And the contents of the letters were to this effect, that all provinces might know and be ready against that day.
15 The posts that were sent, made haste to fulfill the king's commandment. And immediately the edict hung in Susan, the king and Aman feasting, and all the Jews that were in the city weeping.
15 The couriers that were sent made haste to fulfill the king’s commandment. And immediately the edict was hung up in Susan, the king and Aman feasting together, and all the Jews that were in the city weeping.