¹² So the royal scribes^[a] were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps^[b] and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring. ¹³ Letters were sent by the runners to all the king’s provinces stating that^[c] they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children,^[d] on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day^[e] of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. ¹⁴ A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants,^[f] so that they would be prepared for this day.