A Happy Ending for the Jews

1Before the end of the day, King Artaxerxes gave Esther everything that had belonged to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Esther told the king that Mordecai was related to her, and the king had Mordecai brought in. 2The king gave Mordecai the royal ring that Haman had worn, and Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman's property.

3Once again, Esther went to speak to the king. This time she fell down at his feet and begged him to do something about the horrible things that Haman had planned for the Jews. 4The king held out his golden scepter to her, and she got up and stood next to him. 5Then she said, "Your Majesty, Haman sent letters demanding that all the Jews in your kingdom be killed. Please send out a command that Haman's letters are not to be obeyed. 6I can't bear to see my own people destroyed, and if everyone from my nation is killed, I will be too."

7The king replied, "Esther, Haman attacked the Jews, and so I gave orders for Haman to be hanged from his own wooden tower, and I have given you his property. Tell me what more you want me to do. 8 Better yet, I give you and Mordecai permission to send out letters in my name. Write whatever you think is best. Be sure to use my ring to seal the letters, because once my commands are written down and sealed with my ring, they cannot be changed."

9That same year, on the twenty-third day of Nisan, the first month, the king's secretaries were called in and were told to write letters containing the king's commands about the Jews. These letters were to be sent to the governors and officials of all 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. Each letter was written in the language of the province where it was sent. 10The letters were written at the king's command and were sealed with his ring, then they were delivered by messengers. 11-12In the letters, King Artaxerxes commanded the Jews of every city in his kingdom to obey their own laws. And on the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month, they were to defend themselves and to do anything they wanted to their enemies.

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Addition E

A Copy of the Letter Sent by King Artaxerxes

13[1] This is a copy of the letter:

From Artaxerxes, the Great King, to the governors of my 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to everyone who is loyal to me. I send you my greetings.

14[2] People often become proud when I show kindness and honor them. 15[3] Their success makes them arrogant, and they try to harm other people in my kingdom. And as if that wasn't bad enough, they plot against me, although I have always been good to them. 16[4] They refuse to be grateful, and they believe all the flattering things they are told by those who hate what is good. These people think that God won't punish them, even though he hates evil and can see everything they do.

17-18[5-6] A king who wants to be good to his people will often let his friends be officials in his government, because he trusts them to give good advice and to do right. But when they are evil, they tell lies and persuade the king to kill innocent people or to do other horrible things that can never be made right. 19[7] When we look at historical records passed down to us, we see how much evil can be done when high officials are unworthy of their positions and use their power in a destructive way. But we can see this even more clearly by looking at what has just happened here in our own kingdom.

20[8] From now on, I am going to concentrate on making my kingdom a place where everyone can find safety and peace. 21[9] I will change the way I rule, and when I make decisions, I will be fair to everyone.

22-23[10-11] As for Haman son of Hammedatha, he wasn't even a Persian--he was from Macedonia! I have always tried to be kind to people from every nation, and I was especially kind to Haman. He was welcomed as a guest in my kingdom, and he became my highest official. Everyone bowed down to him, and I trusted him like my own father.

But Haman was never kind to anyone. 24[12] He was full of pride, and so he plotted to kill me and take over my kingdom. 25[13] His evil plans included tricking me into ordering that all the Jews were to be killed, including Mordecai, who saved my life and who is always doing good things for me. Queen Esther is also Jewish, which means that Haman would have killed her too, even though she shares my royal rule and has never done anything wrong. 26[14] Haman thought that if he could have all the Jews killed, I would have no one to support me, and then he could take over the Persian Empire and give it to the Macedonians.

27[15] The Jews were sentenced to death by this man who deserved to be under a curse. But I have found that Jews are not criminals at all. Instead, they live their lives according to laws that are fair to everyone. 28[16] And the Jews are the children of the highest and greatest God, the living God, who has guided my ancestors and me in ruling Persia the best way possible.

29[17] So, it is best for you to ignore the letters sent by Haman, 30[18] since he and his whole family have now been hanged at the city gate of Susa. God rules the world and was quick to punish Haman as he deserved.

31[19] A copy of this letter is to be put on public display in every town.

You must allow the Jews to live by their own laws. 32[20] And since the thirteenth day of the month of Adar will bring trouble for them, you must give them support, so that they will be able to defend themselves when they are attacked.

33[21] God rules all things, and he has decided to make the thirteenth of Adar a day when his chosen people will celebrate, instead of being killed.

34[22] Place this special day on the list of festivals to be celebrated in your province. 35[23] This day will always remind us and all other loyal Persians how we were saved. It will also remind everyone that those who plot against us will be destroyed.

36[24] I will be furious with any city or province that disobeys my instructions, and I will send my army to destroy it with fire. No one will be able to travel there, and even the wild animals and birds will hate to be anywhere near it.

End of Addition E

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37[13] Copies of this letter are to be put on public display everywhere in the kingdom, so that all the Jews will be prepared to fight their enemies on the thirteenth of Adar.

The Letters Are Sent Out

38[14] The king ordered his messengers to take their horses and deliver the letters as quickly as possible to every province, and he also had copies of the letter put on display in Susa.

39[15] Mordecai left the palace wearing one of the king's robes, as well as a strip of purple linen cloth around his turban, and a gold crown. The people of Susa started cheering when they saw him.

40[16] The Jews no longer felt doomed; instead, they were full of joy. 41[17] Copies of the letter were displayed in public in every city and province, and Jews all over the kingdom held parties to celebrate. Many Gentiles accepted the Jewish religion and were circumcised, because they were afraid of the Jews.