Bible in 90 Days
Prohibiting Work on the Sabbath
15 At that time I saw in Judah some who were treading wine presses on the Sabbath, bringing in sacks of grain, loading them onto donkeys, along with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads. They brought them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I rebuked them on the day on which they were selling food. 16 Furthermore, Tyrians were living there who were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise, selling them to the people of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem.
17 I rebuked the officials of Judah, saying to them, “What’s this evil thing that you’re doing by profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Didn’t your ancestors do the same? And didn’t our God bring on us and on this city all of this trouble? Now you’re adding to the wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!”
19 As the Sabbath approached and it began to get dark at the gates of Jerusalem, I gave word to shut the gates, charging that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I stationed some of my men at the gates to ensure that no loads would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 As a result, the merchants and sellers of all sorts of goods remained outside Jerusalem a couple of times. 21 I argued with them, “Why are you staying outside the wall? If you do this again, I’ll arrest you.” From that time on, they didn’t come anymore on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the descendants of Levi to purify themselves and to come as gate keepers to sanctify the Sabbath day.
Remember me, my God, and show mercy to me according to the greatness of your gracious love.
Removing Foreign Spouses(A)
23 At that time I also noticed that Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 Furthermore, their children spoke half of the time in the language of Ashdod, and could not speak in the language of Judah. Instead, they spoke in the languages of various peoples. 25 So I rebuked them, cursed them, struck some of their men, tore out their hair, and made them take this oath in the name of God: “You are not to give your daughters to their sons nor take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Didn’t Solomon, king of Israel, sin by doing these things, even though among many nations there was no king like him who was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel? Even so, foreign women caused him to sin. 27 Should we listen to you and do all of this terrible evil by transgressing against our God to marry foreign wives?” 28 One of the sons of Eliashib the high priest’s son Joiada was a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, so I drove him away from me.
29 Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the descendants of Levi.
30 I purified them from everything foreign, arranged duties for the priests and the descendants of Levi, each to his task, 31 and I arranged at the appointed time for the supply of wood, and for the first fruits.
Remember me, my God, with favor.
The Wealth of King Ahasuerus
1 This is a record of[a] what happened during the reign[b] of Ahasuerus,[c] the Ahasuerus who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Cush.[d] 2 At that time King Ahasuerus was ruling from[e] Susa the capital.[f] 3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet for all his officials and ministers,[g] and the military leaders[h] of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the provincial officials were present.[i] 4 He displayed the enormous wealth of his kingdom, along with its splendid beauty and greatness for many days—for 180 days in all.[j]
The Banquet of King Ahasuerus
5 When those days were over, the king held a seven-day banquet in the courtyard of the garden of his[k] palace for all the people who were present in Susa the capital, from the greatest to the least important. 6 There were curtains of white and blue linen tied with cords of fine linen and purple material[l] to silver rings on[m] marble columns. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other precious stones. 7 Drinks were served in gold vessels of various kinds, and there was plenty of royal wine because the king was generous.[n] 8 According to the king’s[o] decree the drinking was not compulsory because the king instructed[p] every steward in his house to serve each individual what he desired. 9 Queen Vashti also held a banquet in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus for the women.
Vashti Refuses to Obey the King
10 A week later, when the king was under the influence of all that wine,[q] he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti to the king, wearing[r] the royal crown to display her beauty to the people and the officials, since she was lovely to look at. 12 Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s order that was brought by the eunuchs.
The King Removes Vashti as Queen
Then the king flew into a rage. 13 The king spoke to the wise men who understood the times, for it was the king’s custom to consult[s] all those who understood law and justice. 14 (His closest advisors[t] were: Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven officials of Persia and Media who had direct access[u] to the king and who held the highest rank[v] in the kingdom.) 15 The king inquired,[w] “According to law, what should be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the order of King Ahasuerus that was delivered by the eunuchs?”
16 Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and his officials, “It is not the king alone whom Vashti has wronged, but rather all of the officials and all of the people who are in the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 When the report about the queen goes out to all the women, it will cause them to despise their husbands.[x] They’ll say, ‘King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she wouldn’t come.’ 18 This very day the wives of the officials[y] of Persia and Media who hear the report about the queen will speak in the same way to all the officials of the king, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger. 19 If it seems good to the king, let a royal decree go out from him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ahasuerus. Let the king give her royal position to another woman who is better than she. 20 When the edict of the king that he issues is heard throughout his kingdom—for it’s vast—then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the greatest to the least important.”
21 This seemed like a good idea[z] to the king and his officials, so the king did what Memucan suggested.[aa] 22 He sent letters to all the provinces of the king, written in the script of that province,[ab] and to each people in their own language, ordering that every man should be the master in his house and speak the language of his own people.
The King Searches for a New Queen
2 After this, when the anger of King Ahasuerus had subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decreed about her. 2 Then the young men who attended the king suggested, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. 3 Let the king appoint officials in all the provinces of his kingdom to bring all the beautiful young virgins into the harem in Susa the capital. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women to give them their beauty treatments.[ac] 4 Then let the young woman who pleases the king rule in place of Vashti.” This advice[ad] pleased the king, and he did this.
Esther’s Background
5 In Susa the capital there was a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin, Jair’s son Mordecai, who was a descendant of Kish’s son Shimei the descendant of Benjamin. 6 He had been taken into captivity from Jerusalem along with the exiles who had been deported with Jeconiah, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon had taken into exile.[ae] 7 Mordecai[af] had raised his cousin[ag] Hadassah, or Esther,[ah] because she had no father or mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. After her mother and father died, Mordecai had taken her as his daughter.
8 The king’s order and edict was proclaimed, and many young women were brought to Susa the capital under the care of Hegai. Esther was taken to the palace into the care of Hegai, who was in charge of the women. 9 The young woman pleased him and gained his favor. He quickly provided her beauty treatments and gave her portions of food to her. He also assigned her seven suitable young women from the palace and transferred her and her young women to the best place in the harem. 10 Esther did not make known her people or heritage[ai] because Mordecai had instructed her not to make it known. 11 Every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem to find out about Esther’s well-being and what was happening to her.
Esther Becomes Queen
12 Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus at the end of the twelve month period, at which time she was treated according to the regulations for women. This process[aj] completed the period of her beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and cosmetics for women. 13 After that the young woman would go in to the king, and whatever she asked for would be given to her to take with her from the harem to the palace. 14 In the evening she would go into the palace[ak] and in the morning she would return to the second harem, into the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the mistresses.[al] She would not go again to the king unless the king wanted her and she was called for by name. 15 Now Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who had been Mordecai’s uncle. Mordecai had taken Esther in as his own[am] daughter. When her turn came to go in to the king, she did not want anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the harem, advised. Esther found favor with everyone who saw her. 16 Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 The king loved Esther more than any of the other women, so he favored her and was kinder to her than he was to any of the other virgins. He put the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. 18 The king put on a great banquet for all his officials and ministers[an] to honor Esther. He declared a holiday for the provinces and gave generous gifts.[ao]
Mordecai Thwarts a Plot to Kill Ahasuerus
19 When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate. 20 Now Esther had not declared her heritage[ap] or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her, for Esther did what Mordecai told her just as she had done when she was raised by him. 21 At that time when Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs among those who guarded the threshold,[aq] became angry and conspired to assassinate[ar] King Ahasuerus. 22 When Mordecai learned about the plot, he told Queen Esther, and she told the king in Mordecai’s name. 23 After the matter had been fully investigated, Bigthan and Teresh[as] were hanged[at] on a pole, and this was recorded in the Book of the Chronicles in the presence of the king.
Haman is Promoted by Ahasuerus
3 Sometime later King Ahasuerus promoted Hammedatha the Agagite’s son Haman, elevating him to a position above[au] all the other officials who were with him. 2 All the king’s ministers[av] who were in the king’s gate would kneel and bow down to Haman, because the king had commanded that Haman[aw] be honored in this way. Mordecai, however, would not kneel and would not bow down.
3 The king’s ministers[ax] who were in the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” 4 They asked him this day after day, and he would not listen to them, so they told Haman to see whether or not Mordecai would get away with his disobedience,[ay] since he also had told them that he was Jewish. 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel and bow down to him, he[az] flew into a rage. 6 Because they had told him who the people of Mordecai were, Haman[ba] found it unacceptable[bb] to kill[bc] only Mordecai. So Haman sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jewish people, who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
Haman’s Plot against the Jewish People
7 In the twelfth year of the reign of[bd] King Ahasuerus, in the first month (the month Nisan), the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in Haman’s presence to determine the best day and month to carry out his plot.[be] The lot indicated the twelfth month, the month Adar.[bf] 8 Then Haman told King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and divided among the people throughout the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different than all the other people, they don’t obey the king’s laws, and it’s not in the king’s best interest[bg] to leave them alone. 9 If the king approves, let it be decreed[bh] that they’re to be destroyed, and I’ll measure out 10,000 silver talents[bi] and bring it to the king’s treasury for those who will do the work.”
10 The king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Hammedatha the Agagite’s son Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people. 11 The king told Haman, “The silver is given to you, along with the people, to do with them as you see fit.”
12 The king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and all that Haman commanded was written to the regional authorities[bj] of the king, to the governors who were over each province, and to the officials of each people. This order[bk] was translated in the name of King Ahasuerus into the language of each province[bl] and bore the seal of the king’s signet ring. 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all of the king’s provinces to annihilate, to kill, and to destroy all the Jewish people, both young and old, women and children, and to confiscate their goods[bm] on a single day—the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of Adar. 14 A copy of the letter was to be issued as an edict in every province and published to all the people, telling them[bn] to be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went out, urged on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in Susa the capital. The king and Haman sat down to drink, while the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.
Mordecai Seeks Esther’s Help
4 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his garments and clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes. He went into the middle of the city and cried out with a loud and bitter cry. 2 He came as far as[bo] the front of the king’s gate, because no one was allowed to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 In every province where the order of the king and his edict reached, among the Jewish people there was great mourning, fasting, weeping, and lamenting, and many lay down on sackcloth and ashes.
4 When Esther’s young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was greatly distressed. She sent clothes for Mordecai to put on so he could take off the sackcloth that he had on, but he would not take them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs, whom he had assigned to her, and she ordered him to go to Mordecai to find out what was happening and why it was happening. 6 Hathach went to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened and the exact amount of money that Haman had said he would pay into the king’s treasury in order to destroy the Jewish people. 8 Mordecai[bp] gave Hathach[bq] a copy of the written decree ordering the Jews’ destruction that had been issued in Susa. Mordecai[br] wanted him to show it to Esther, to explain it to her, and then to instruct her to go in to the king to seek his favor and plead with him for her people.
9 Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.[bs] 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach, instructing him[bt] to go back[bu] to Mordecai with this message:[bv] 11 “Every servant of the king and every person in the king’s provinces knows that for any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned there is only[bw] one law—that he be put to death—unless the king holds out the golden scepter to him. Only[bx] then he will live. For these last[by] 30 days I’ve not been summoned to come to the king.”
12 They reported Esther’s message to Mordecai.
13 Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Don’t suppose that because you are in the palace, you will escape any more than the other Jewish people.[bz] 14 Indeed, if you are silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this?”
15 Then Esther replied to Mordecai, 16 “Go and gather all the Jewish people who are in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night or day. Both I and my young women will also fast in the same way, and then I’ll go in to the king, even though it’s against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
17 Then Mordecai left and did everything that Esther had ordered him.
Esther Goes before the King
5 On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace in front of the king’s quarters.[ca] The king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the building. 2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his favor, and the king extended to Esther the gold scepter that he was holding. Esther approached and touched the top of the scepter. 3 The king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it’s half of the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
4 Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I’ve prepared for him.”
5 The king responded, “Bring Haman quickly so we may do what Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 While they were drinking wine,[cb] the king asked Esther, “What’s your petition? It will be given to you. What’s your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be done.”
7 Esther answered, “This is my petition and my request: 8 If I’ve found favor with the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I’ll prepare for them tomorrow, and then I’ll do what the king has said.”
Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai
9 Haman went out that day pleased and happy, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand up and tremble in his presence, Haman was furious with Mordecai. 10 Haman restrained himself, went to his house, and sent for[cc] his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 Then Haman told them about his splendid wealth, the number[cd] of his sons, all the ways the king had honored[ce] him, and that he had promoted him above all the other officials and ministers[cf] of the king.
12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther brought no one except me with the king to the banquet that she held. Furthermore, I (along with the king) have also been invited by her tomorrow. 13 But all this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said, “Have a pole made 50 cubits[cg] high, and then in the morning speak to the king and have Mordecai hanged[ch] on it. Then go with the king to the banquet happy.” This advice pleased Haman, and he had the pole made.
Haman’s Plan Begins to Unravel
6 That night the king could not sleep, so he gave instructions to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read to the king. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had reported about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance to the restricted areas of the palace,[ci] and that they had conspired to assassinate[cj] King Ahasuerus. 3 So the king asked, “What honor and distinction was bestowed on Mordecai for this?”
The young men who served the king answered, “Nothing was done for him.”
4 The king said, “Who is in the courtyard?” Now Haman had just entered the outer courtyard of the palace to speak to the king about having Mordecai hanged on the pole he had set up.
5 The king’s young men told him, “Look, Haman is standing in the courtyard.”
The king said, “Let him come in.”
6 After Haman came in, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?”
Haman told himself, “Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?” 7 Haman answered the king, “For a man whom the king desires to honor, 8 let them bring royal robes that the king has worn and a horse on which the king has ridden, with a royal crown placed on its head. 9 Then give the robes and the horse to one of the king’s most noble officials. Let them put the robes on the man whom the king desires to honor, and let them put him on the horse in the main[ck] square of the city. Then let them announce in front of him, ‘This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor.’”
10 Then the king told Haman, “Quick! Take the clothes and the horse just as you have suggested and do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits in the king’s gate. And don’t let anything you’ve suggested fall through the cracks.”[cl]
11 So Haman took the clothes and the horse, dressed Mordecai, and put him on the horse in the main[cm] square of the city. He cried out in front of him, “This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor.”
12 Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate, while Haman hurried to his house, mourning and hiding his face.[cn] 13 Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His wise friends and his wife Zeresh told him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is one of the Jewish people,[co] you won’t prevail against him. Instead, you will surely fall before him.”
14 While they were still talking to him, the king’s eunuchs arrived, and they quickly took him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Haman is Executed
7 The king and Haman went in to have a drink with Queen Esther. 2 On the second day the king again told Esther as they drank wine, “What’s your petition, Queen Esther? It will be given to you. What’s your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be done.”
3 Queen Esther answered: “If I’ve found favor with you, your majesty, and if it seems good to the king, let my life be given to me as my petition and my people as my request. 4 Indeed, I and my people have been sold to be annihilated, killed, and destroyed. If we had just been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because the trouble wouldn’t have been sufficient to bother the king.”[cp]
5 Then King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the person who would dare[cq] do this?”
6 Esther replied, “An adversary and an enemy—it’s this wicked Haman!” So Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. 7 The king got up from the banquet in anger and went out to the palace garden, while Haman stood there begging Queen Esther to spare his life,[cr] because he realized that the king intended to harm him.[cs]
8 When the king returned to the banquet hall from the palace garden, Haman was prostrate on the couch where Esther was. The king asked, “Will this man[ct] even assault the queen with me in the house?” The king had no sooner spoken than they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, observed, “Look there! A pole is standing 50 cubits[cu] high at Haman’s house that he prepared for Mordecai, whose report benefitted[cv] the king!”
The king said, “Hang[cw] him on it.” 10 So they hanged[cx] Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and then the king’s anger subsided.
The Promotion of Mordecai
8 That day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the property[cy] of Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people, and Mordecai came into the king’s presence because Esther had told him how Mordecai[cz] was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring that he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. Esther then put Mordecai in charge of Haman’s property.[da]
Esther Asks that the Jewish People be Spared
3 Then Esther spoke to the king again and fell at his feet. She wept and pleaded with him for mercy to overturn the evil plan devised[db] by Haman the Agagite and his plot against the Jewish people. 4 The king extended the golden scepter to Esther, and she got up and stood before the king. 5 She said, “If it pleases the king, and if I’ve found favor with him, and if the matter is proper in the king’s opinion, and if I’m pleasing to the king, let an order be issued[dc] revoking the letters devised by Hammedatha the Agagite’s son Haman, which ordered[dd] the destruction of the Jewish people throughout the king’s provinces. 6 Indeed, how can I bear to see this disaster happen to my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my kinsmen?”
7 King Ahasuerus told Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, “Look, I’ve given Haman’s property[de] to Esther, and they have hanged[df] him on the pole because he tried to harm[dg] the Jewish people. 8 Now, in the name of the king, you write what seems good to you concerning the Jewish people, and seal it with the king’s signet ring, for a document written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring cannot be revoked.”
9 The king’s scribes were summoned at that time, on the twenty-third day of the third month, which is the month Sivan, and everything that Mordecai commanded the Jewish people, the regional authorities,[dh] the governors, and the provincial officials of the 127 provinces from India to Cush[di] was written down for each province according to its script, for each people according to their language, and for the Jewish people according to their script and language. 10 He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. He sent the letters by couriers on horseback, riding steeds especially bred for the king.[dj]
11 What the king granted the Jewish people in every town was the right[dk] to assemble and defend themselves,[dl] to annihilate, kill, and destroy every armed force of a people or a province that was hostile to them, including children and women, and to plunder their property.[dm] 12 Throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, the one day for the Jewish people to do this was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 A copy of the document was to be issued as law in each and every province and published for all people, indicating that the Jewish people were to be ready to take vengeance on their enemies on that day. 14 The couriers, mounted on the royal steeds, left quickly, urged on by the king’s command. The edict was also issued in Susa the capital.
The Jewish People Celebrate the King’s Edict
15 Mordecai left the king’s presence in royal robes of blue and white, wearing a large golden crown and a purple robe made of fine linen; and the city of Susa shouted with joy. 16 For the Jewish people, there was light and joy, gladness and honor. 17 In each and every province, and in each and every city, in the places where the king’s order and edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jewish people, along with a festival and a holiday. Many of the people of the land became[dn] Jews, because they had come to fear the Jewish people.
The Jewish People Defeat Their Enemies
9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, when the king’s order and edict was about to be carried out, on the day when the enemies of the Jewish people expected to prevail over them, things were turned around so that the Jewish people themselves prevailed over those who hated them.
2 The Jewish people assembled in their towns throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus to strike out against those who intended to harm them, and no one could oppose them because all the people had come to fear the Jews.[do] 3 All the provincial officials, the regional authorities,[dp] the governors, and those doing the king’s work supported the Jewish people because the fear of Mordecai had come over[dq] them. 4 Indeed, Mordecai was a powerful[dr] official in the palace and his fame spread throughout the provinces. Indeed, the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.[ds]
5 The Jewish people struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did with their enemies as they pleased. 6 In Susa the capital the Jewish people killed and destroyed 500 people. 7 They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Hammedatha’s son Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people, but they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
11 On that day the number of those slain in Susa the capital was reported to the king. 12 The king told Queen Esther, “In Susa the capital the Jewish people have killed and destroyed 500 people, including Haman’s ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what’s your petition? It will be given to you. What’s your further request? It will be done.”
13 Then Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let it also be granted to the Jewish people in Susa to do tomorrow what the edict allowed them to do today,[dt] and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged[du] on poles.”
14 The king said, “Let this be done.” So an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman’s ten sons were hanged[dv] on poles. 15 The Jewish people in Susa assembled again on that day, the fourteenth of Adar, and they killed 300 people in Susa, but they did not lay their hands on the spoils.
The Festival of Purim is Celebrated
16 The rest of the Jewish people in the king’s provinces assembled to defend[dw] themselves, and they gained relief from their enemies, killing 75,000 of those who hated them. But they did not lay their hands on the spoils. 17 They did this on the thirteenth day of Adar and rested on the fourteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy. 18 The Jewish people in Susa assembled on the thirteenth day and again on the fourteenth, and then rested on the fifteenth day and made it a day of feasting and joy. 19 Therefore the Jewish people in the rural areas who live in unwalled towns make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a holiday for joy and feasting, and people send presents[dx] to one another.
Official Instructions for Celebrating Purim
20 Mordecai wrote these instructions and sent letters to all the Jewish people in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 establishing that they should celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar every year, 22 as the days on which the Jewish people enjoyed relief[dy] from their enemies. It was a month when things turned around for them, from sorrow to joy and from mourning to a holiday. They were to celebrate these days as days of feasting and joy, and they were to send presents[dz] to one another and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jewish people made a tradition[ea] out of what they had begun to do and of what Mordecai had written to them, 24 since Hammedatha’s son Haman, the enemy of the Jewish people, had plotted against the Jewish people to destroy them, and he had cast the pur (that is, the lot) to determine when[eb] to confuse and destroy them.
25 But when Esther came before the king, he ordered through a letter that the evil plot that Haman[ec] had devised against the Jewish people be rescinded,[ed] and that he and his sons be hanged on poles. 26 Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur. Because of all that was written in this letter, because of what they experienced in this matter, and because of what happened to them, 27 the Jewish people established this celebration, making it a tradition[ee] for themselves, for their descendants, and for all who joined with them[ef] that they should not fail to observe these two days each year, based on the written instructions, and at the prescribed time. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by each family in every province and town. These days of Purim should not be neglected by[eg] the Jewish people, and that they should not be forgotten by their descendants.
Queen Esther Confirms the Instructions for Purim
29 Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority confirming this second letter about Purim. 30 Letters containing wishes for peace and stability were sent to all the Jewish people, to the 127 provinces of Ahasuerus’ kingdom, 31 establishing these days of Purim at the prescribed time, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established, and just as the Jewish people[eh] had established for themselves and for their descendants. The letter included instructions for their fasting[ei] and lamentations. 32 The order of Esther established these instructions for Purim, and it was officially recorded.[ej]
Other Things King Ahasuerus Did
10 King Ahasuerus imposed tribute[ek] on the land and on the islands of the sea. 2 Now as to all the powerful and great deeds of Ahasuerus, along with an exact statement about the high position[el] of Mordecai to which the king promoted him, these things are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia, are they not? 3 Indeed, Mordecai the Jew was second in authority only[em] to King Ahasuerus and was a powerful official[en] among the Jewish people. Mordecai[eo] was accepted favorably by his many kinsmen, and he sought the good of his countrymen and spoke out for the welfare of all his people.[ep]
Job’s Faithfulness
1 There once was a man in the land of Uz[eq] named Job. The man was blameless as well as upright. He feared God and kept away from evil. 2 Seven sons and three daughters had been born to him. 3 His livestock included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams[er] of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and many servants. Indeed, the man’s stature greatly exceeded that of many people who lived in the East. 4 His sons used to travel to each other’s houses in turn on a regular schedule and hold festivals, inviting their three sisters to celebrate[es] with them.
5 When their time of feasting had concluded, Job would rise early in the morning to send for them[et] and consecrate them to God.[eu] He would offer a burnt offering for each one,[ev] because Job thought, “Perhaps my children sinned by cursing God in their hearts.” Job did this time and again.[ew]
Satan’s First Attack on Job
6 One day, divine beings[ex] presented themselves to the Lord, and Satan[ey] accompanied them. 7 The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”
In response, Satan answered the Lord, “From wandering all over the earth and walking back and forth throughout it.”
8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you considered[ez] my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth. The man is blameless as well as upright. He fears God and keeps away from evil.”
9 But in response, Satan asked the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you surrounded him with a fence on all sides, around his house, and around all that he owns? You have blessed everything he puts his hands on and you have increased his livestock in the land. 11 However, stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will curse you to your face.”
12 Then the Lord told Satan, “Very well then, everything he owns is under your control,[fa] only you may not extend your hand against him.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
13 Some time later, when his children[fb] were celebrating[fc] in their oldest[fd] brother’s house, 14 a messenger approached Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys were grazing nearby 15 when the Sabeans attacked, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. I alone escaped to tell you!”
16 While this messenger[fe] was still speaking, another[ff] came and announced, “A lightning storm struck[fg] and incinerated the flock and the servants while they were eating. I alone escaped to tell you!”
17 While this messenger[fh] was still speaking, another[fi] came and announced, “The Chaldeans formed three companies, raided the camels, captured the servants, and killed them with swords. Only I alone escaped to tell you.”
18 While this messenger[fj] was still speaking, another[fk] came and announced, “Your children were celebrating[fl] in their oldest[fm] brother’s house 19 when a strong wind came straight out of the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people, and they died. I alone escaped to tell you!”
Job Blesses God Despite the Catastrophe
20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground, bowed very low, 21 and exclaimed:
“I left my mother’s womb naked,
and I will return to God naked.
The Lord has given,
and the Lord has taken.
May the name of the Lord be blessed.”
22 Job neither sinned nor charged God with wrongdoing in all of this.
Satan’s Second Attack on Job
2 Some time later, divine beings again[fn] presented themselves to the Lord, and Satan accompanied them to present himself to the Lord. 2 The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?”
In response, Satan told the Lord, “From wandering all over the earth and walking back and forth throughout it.”
3 The Lord asked Satan, “Have you considered[fo] my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth. The man is blameless as well as upright. He fears God and keeps away from evil. He remains firm in his integrity, even though you have been urging me to overwhelm him without cause.”
4 Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! The man will give up everything that he owns in exchange for his health.[fp] 5 However, stretch out your hand[fq] and strike his bones and flesh, and he’ll curse you to your face, won’t he?”
6 Then the Lord told Satan, “Very well then, he is under your control.[fr] Just preserve his life.”[fs]
7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence and struck Job with terrible boils from the sole of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Job[ft] took a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself while sitting among the ashes.
Job Refuses to Curse God
9 Then his wife told him, “Do you remain firm in your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 But he replied to her, “You’re talking like foolish women do. Are we to accept[fu] what is good from God but not tragedy?”
Throughout all of this, Job did not sin by what he said.[fv]
Job’s Friends Visit
11 When Job’s three friends heard all these tragedies that happened to him, they each traveled from their home towns[fw] to visit him. Eliphaz came from Teman,[fx] Bildad came from Shuah,[fy] and Zophar came from Naamath.[fz] They met together and went to console and comfort him. 12 Observing him from a distance, at first they didn’t even recognize him, so they raised their voices and burst into tears. They each ripped their robes, threw ashes into the air on their heads, 13 and sat with Job[ga] on the ground for a full week[gb] without saying a word, since they could see the great extent of his anguish.
Job Laments the Day He was Born
3 After this, Job spoke up solemnly, cursing[gc] the day he was born.[gd] 2 This is what Job said:
3 “Let the day when I was born be annihilated,
along with the night when it was announced,
‘It’s a boy!’[ge]
4 Let that day be dark;
let God above not care about it;
let no light shine over it.
5 Let darkness and deep gloom reclaim it;
let clouds settle down on it;
let blackness in mid-day terrify it.
6 Let darkness carry that night away;
let it not take its place joyfully among the days of the year;
let it not be entered into the calendar.[gf]
7 “Yes, let that night be barren;
let it not appear with its joyful shout.
8 Let whoever curses days curse it—
those who are ready to awaken monsters.[gg]
9 Let the stars of its evening twilight be dark;
let it hope for light but let there be none;
let it not see the breaking rays[gh] of the dawn.
10 “Because that night[gi] refused to shut the doors of my mother’s[gj] womb;
it failed to keep me from seeing this trouble.
11 Why didn’t I die while I was still in the womb,
or die while I was being born?
12 Why was there a lap[gk] to hold me,
and why were there breasts to nurse me?
13 “If I had died,[gl] I would be lying down by now,
undisturbed, asleep, and at rest,
14 along with kings and counselors of the earth,
who used to build for themselves what are now only[gm] ruins,
15 or princes who amassed[gn] gold for themselves,
and who kept filling their houses with silver.
16 “Or why was I not buried[go] like a stillborn child,[gp]
like babies[gq] who never saw the light?
17 In that place, the wicked stop causing trouble,
and there, those whose strength is exhausted are at rest.
18 In that place, those who once were prisoners will be at ease together;
they won’t hear the voice of oppressors.
19 The unimportant and the important are both there,
and the servant is free from his master.
20 “Why does God[gr] give light to the sufferer
or life to the bitter person:
21 To those who are longing for death—
even though it does not come?
To those who search for it
more than for hidden treasure?
22 To those who are happy beyond measure[gs]
when they reach their graves?
23 To the formerly successful[gt] man who lost his way in life,
and God fenced him in?
24 “As far as I’m concerned, my food comes to me in the form of sighs,
and my cries of anguish pour out like water.
25 For the dreaded thing that I feared has happened to me,
what caused me to worry has engulfed[gu] me.
26 I will not be at ease;
I will not be quiet;
I will not rest;
because trouble has arrived.”
Eliphaz: the Innocent Don’t Suffer
4 In reply, Eliphaz from Teman answered:
2 “Will you get offended if somebody tries to talk to you?
Who can keep from speaking at a time like this?[gv]
3 Look! You’ve admonished many people,[gw]
and you’ve strengthened feeble hands.
4 A word from you has supported those who have stumbled,
and has strengthened faltering knees.
5 “But now it’s your turn,
and you’re the one who is worn out![gx]
Now it’s striking you,
and you’re dismayed!
6 “Your fear of God has been your confidence, hasn’t it?
The integrity of your life has been your hope, hasn’t it?
7 Now please think:
Who has ever perished when they’re innocent?
Where have the upright been destroyed?
8 It’s been my experience that those who plow the soil of[gy] iniquity
and those who sow the seed of[gz] trouble will reap their harvest![ha]
9 They perish by the breath of God;
they are consumed by the storm that is[hb] his anger.[hc]
10 “The lioness may roar,
and the lion cub may growl;
but even the ivory teeth of the full grown lion are broken.
11 Full grown lions die when they cannot find prey;
that’s when the lion cubs are scattered.
12 “A message was confided[hd] to me;
my ear caught a whisper of it.
13 Disquieting thoughts from dreams at night;
when deep sleep falls on everyone.[he]
14 A fear fell upon me, along with trembling
that caused all my bones to shake in terror.[hf]
15 A spirit glided past me
and made the hair on my skin[hg] to bristle.
16 It remained standing,
but I couldn’t recognize its appearance.
A form appeared before my eyes;
At first there was[hh] silence, and then this voice:
17 ‘Can a mortal person[hi] be more righteous than God?
Or can the purity of the valiant exceed that of his maker?’[hj]
18 “Indeed, since he doesn’t trust his servants,[hk]
since he charges[hl] his angels with error,
19 how much less confidence[hm] does he have
in those who dwell in houses of clay;
who were formed from a foundation in dust
and can perish[hn] like a moth?
20 They are defeated between morning and evening;
they perish forever—and no one notices!
21 Their wealth[ho] perishes with them, doesn’t it?
They die, and do so without having wisdom, don’t they?”
Eliphaz: God Blesses those who Seek Him
5 “Cry out, won’t you!
Is there anyone who will answer you?
To whom will you turn among the holy ones?
2 For wrath will slay a fool;
zealous anger will kill the naïve.
3 “I myself saw a fool becoming established,
but I suddenly cursed where he lived.[hp]
4 His children are far from deliverance;
they’ll be maltreated before they leave home,[hq]
with no one to rescue them.
5 Then the hungry will devour his harvest,
snatching it even from the midst of thorns,
while the thirsty covet their wealth.
6 For wickedness doesn’t crop up from dust,
nor does trouble sprout out of the ground;
7 But mankind is born headed for trouble,
just as sparks soar skyward.”
God Can be Trusted in Adversity
8 “Now as for me, I would seek God if I were you;[hr]
I would commit my case to God.
9 He is always doing great things that cannot be explained,
countless awesome deeds.
10 He sends rain on the surface of the earth,
and waters the surface of the open country.
11 He sets the lowly on high,
and lifts those who mourn to safety.[hs]
12 He frustrates the plans of the crafty;
so that what they work for never succeeds.
13 He captures the wise in their own craftiness,
bringing a quick end to their cunning advice.
14 They meet with darkness in broad daylight;
at noonday they grope around as if it were night.
15 So he delivers from the sword of their mouth—
the poor from the power[ht] of the mighty.
16 Therefore there is hope for those who are poor,
and iniquity shuts its mouth.
17 “Indeed, how blessed is the person whom God reproves!
So never disrespect the discipline of the Almighty,
18 because though he wounds, but then applies bandages;
though he strikes, his hands still heal.
19 “He will deliver you through six calamities;
and calamity won’t touch you throughout the seventh.
20 He will deliver you from death by famine;
in war from the power[hu] of the sword.
21 You’ll be protected from the accusing[hv] tongue;
you need not fear destruction when it heads your way.
22 You’ll laugh at destruction and famine;
and you need not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you’ll have a pact[hw] with the stones in the field;
and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.
24 You’ll know that your home[hx] is secure;
when you search your possessions, and nothing will be missing.
25 You’ll know that you’ll have many children;
and that your offspring will be like the grass of the earth.
26 You’ll go to your grave at a ripe old age;
like a stack of grain that’s harvested at just the right time.
27 “Look! We have thought all this through,
and what we’ve said is true;[hy]
So please listen and learn for your own good!”
Job’s Suffering is Grave
6 In rebuttal, Job replied:
2 “If only my grief could be weighed;
or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!
3 It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore![hz]
Here’s why I’ve talked so rashly:
4 “The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me;
my spirit absorbs[ia] their poison;[ib]
God’s terrors have been arranged just for me!
5 “Will the wild donkey bray from hunger[ic] if fresh grass is beside him?
Will the ox low from distress[id] if it is near its feed?
6 Tasteless food isn’t eaten without salt, is it?
Is there any taste in an egg white?
7 I cannot bring myself to touch them;[ie]
food like this makes me sick.”
Job Desires Death
8 “Who will grant my wish?[if]
I wish God would grant what I’m hoping for:
9 that God would just be willing[ig] to crush me;
that he would let loose[ih] and eliminate me!
10 At least I could still take comfort
and rejoice in unceasing anguish,
for I didn’t conceal what the Holy One has to say.
11 “Do I have the strength to wait?
And why[ii] should I be patient?
12 Am I as strong as a rock?
Am I some kind of iron man?[ij]
13 There is no help within me, is there?
My resources have been driven away from me, haven’t they?
Job Accuses His Friends of Treachery
14 The friend shows gracious love for his friend,
even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river,
like torrential rivers that overflow.
16 Filled with waters made cold[ik] by ice,
they are where the snow goes to hide.
17 But then the snow melts, and they disappear;
when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.[il]
18 Travelers divert[im] in their route;
they go into a wasteland and die.
19 Travelers from Tema search intently;
caravans from Sheba hope to find them.
20 For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment;
even though they have come and searched this far.
21 “And now you’re all just like them, aren’t you?[in]
You see my terror and are terrified.
22 When did I ever ask you for anything,
say ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?’
23 or say ‘Deliver me from my enemy’s control,’[io]
or ‘Redeem me from the domination[ip] of ruthless people’?”
Job Requests Mercy from His Friends
24 “Instruct me, and I’ll remain silent.
Help me understand where I’ve gone astray.
25 The truth[iq] can be painful,
but what has your argument proven?
26 Did you intend your words to reprove,
even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?
27 Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan;
and barter to buy your friend!
28 Now be willing to face me,
and I won’t lie to your face.
29 Repent! Let there be no injustice;
Change your ways![ir] My vindication[is] is at stake.
30 Have I said anything that’s unjust?
I can discern[it] evil, can’t I?”
Job Acknowledges the Brevity of Life
7 “Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not?
His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not?[iu]
2 I’m like a servant who longs for the shade,
like a hired laborer who is looking for his wages.
3 Truly I’ve been allotted months of emptiness;
nights of trouble have been appointed for me.
4 “When I lie down I ask,
‘When will I wake up?’
But the night continues
and I keep tossing and turning until dawn.[iv]
5 My skin[iw] is covered with worms and clods of dirt;
my skin becomes rough and then breaks out afresh.
6 My days pass as swiftly as a hand-loom;
they come to their conclusion without hope.
7 Remember that my life is a breath;
my eyes won’t go back to seeing good things.[ix]
8 The eyes of the one who sees me won’t see me anymore;
your eyes will look[iy] for me
but I won’t be around![iz]
9 As a cloud fades away and vanishes,
the one who descends to the afterlife[ja] doesn’t return.[jb]
10 He doesn’t return again to his house,
and his place won’t recognize him anymore.”
Job Intends to Complain
11 “In addition, I won’t keep my opinion[jc] to myself;
I’ll speak from my distressed spirit;
I’ll complain with my bitter soul.
12 Am I the sea, or a sea monster,
that you keep watching me?
13 For I’ve said, ‘My bed will comfort me;
my couch will ease my burdens[jd] while I complain.’
14 But then you scared me with dreams;
you terrified me with visions.
15 I would rather die by strangulation
than continue living.[je]
16 I hate the thought of living forever!
Leave me alone, because my days are pointless.”
Job Acknowledges Humankind’s Insignificance
17 “What is a human being, that you make so much of him;
that you set your affections on him,
18 visit him every morning,
and test him continually?
19 Why won’t you look away from me?
Why don’t you leave me alone so I can swallow my saliva?
20 So what if I sin? What have I done against you,
you observer of humankind?
Why have you made me your target?
Why burden yourself with me?
21 Why haven’t you pardoned my transgression
and taken away my iniquity?
Now I’m about to lie down in the dust.
You will seek me diligently,
but I won’t be around!”[jf]
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