1 The copy of the letters was this: The great Sovereign Artaḥshashta writes these matters to the princes and governors that are under him from Hodu to Kush in a hundred and twenty-seven provinces.
2 After I became ruler over many nations and reigned over the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but carrying myself always with straightness and kindness, I purposed to settle my subjects continually in a quiet life, and make my reign peaceable, and open for passage to the farthest coasts, to renew peace, which is desired of all men.
3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass, Haman, who excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his continual kindness and steadfast trustworthiness, and had the esteem of the second place in the reign,
4 declared to us, that in all nations throughout the world there was scattered a certain malicious people, that had Laws contrary to all nations, and continually despised the commands of sovereigns, so that the uniting of our reigns, with esteem intended by us would not go forward.
5 Seeing therefore, we understand that these people alone are continually in opposition to all men, differing in the strange manner of their Laws, and evilly disposed toward our reign, working all the evil they may that our reign may not be firmly established;
6 therefore we have commanded that all those who are indicated in writing to you by Haman, who is appointed over the affairs, and is next to us, shall be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, with all their wives and children without any kindness or pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Aḏar of this present year.
7 That they, who of old and now also are malicious, shall in one day with violence go into the grave, and so, from now on cause our affairs to be well settled, and without trouble.
8 Then Mordeḵai thought upon all the works of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and made his prayer to Him,
9 saying, “O Aḏonai 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, the Sovereign Almighty! For the whole world is in Your power, and if You have appointed to save Yisra’ĕl, there is none that disputes You.
10 “For You have made the shamayim and earth, and all the wonders under the shamayim.
11 You are Aḏon of all, and there is none that resists You, who is 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄!
12 “You know all, and You know, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of esteem, that I did not bow down to proud Haman.
13 “For I could have been content for the salvation of Yisra’ĕl to kiss the soles of his feet with kindness.
14 “But I did this, that I might not prefer the esteem of man above the esteem of Elohim; neither shall I worship any but You, O Elohim, neither shall I do it in pride.
15 And now, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 Elohim and Sovereign, spare Your people, for their eyes are upon us to bring us to naught! Indeed, they desire to destroy the inheritance, that has been Yours from the beginning.
16 “Do not despise the portion, which you have delivered out of Mitsrayim for Yourself.
17 “Hear my prayer, and be kind to Your inheritance. Turn our sorrow into joy, that we may live, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, and praise Your Name, and do not destroy the mouths of those who praise you, O 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄.”
18 All Yisra’ĕl likewise cried most earnestly to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, because their death was before their eyes.