Old/New Testament
Haman’s Plot To Destroy the Jews
Chapter 3
Mordecai Refuses To Honor Haman.[a] 1 Sometime later, King Ahasuerus honored Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, giving him a higher rank and seating him above all his royal nobles. 2 All the royal officials who were at the king’s gate would kneel down and render homage to Haman, for that is what the king had ordered to be done toward him. But Mordecai refused to kneel and bow down to him.
3 The other officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you fail to obey the king’s command?” 4 Day after day they spoke to him about this, but he did not listen to them. So they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s explanation was acceptable, for he had informed them that he was a Jew.
5 When Haman realized that Mordecai was not going to kneel down or pay him homage, he became enraged. 6 Moreover, he decided that it would not be enough to kill only Mordecai; having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he sought to destroy all the Jews—Mordecai’s people—in the kingdom of Ahasuerus.
Edict against the Jews.[b] 7 In the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, in the first month, Nisan, they cast the pur,[c] (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman. And the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar.
8 Then Haman said to Ahasuerus, “There is a certain race of people scattered among the nations all over your empire who keep themselves separate. They observe customs that are not like those of any other people. Moreover, they do not obey the king’s laws, and it is not in the king’s best interests to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, issue a decree to put them all to death, and I will deposit ten thousand talents into the royal treasury for those who bring it to pass.”
10 Therefore, the king removed the signet ring[d] from his finger and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 The king told him, “Keep the money, and do whatever you want with this race of people.”
12 So on the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal secretaries were summoned, and at the dictation of Haman they wrote out—in the script of each province and in the language of each people[e]—an order to the king’s satraps, the governors of every province, and the nobles of the various peoples. This order was written in the name of King Ahasuerus himself and sealed with the royal signet ring. 13 This order was sent by couriers[f] to all the provinces to the effect that all Jews, young and old, including women and children, should be put to death, destroyed, wiped out in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, and their goods seized as spoil.
Chapter B
A Copy of the Edict.[g]1 This is the copy of the edict:
“King Ahasuerus the Great writes the following to the governors of the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending from India to Ethiopia and to their subordinate officials:2 Having been established as the ruler of many nations and master of the entire world, it has always been my policy never to be overwhelmed with the arrogance of power but always to rule with fairness and kindness, so as to ensure for my subjects a life of tranquillity in this kingdom, with the assurance of safe passage for everyone within its borders and the restoration of the peace desired by all.
3 “When I sought the counsel of my advisors as to how this goal might be achieved, Haman, whose sound judgment, unfailing devotion, and steadfast loyalty have enabled him to achieve a rank second only to mine in the kingdom, spoke up.4 He informed us that, mingled among all the races of the world, there is one hostile people whose laws are opposed to those of all other nations and who continually act in defiance of royal ordinances, so that the unification of the empire that we envision cannot be accomplished.
5 “In the realization that this people stands uniquely alone in its continual hostility to all other nations, observes laws that are at complete variance with ours, and commits the most grievous of crimes, thereby undermining the stability of our government,6 we hereby decree that all the persons designated to you in the letters written by Haman, who was appointed to safeguard our interests and who is a second father to us, shall, with their wives and children, be totally destroyed by the swords of their enemies, without any sign of mercy or pardon, on the fourteenth day[h] of the twelfth month, Adar, of the present year.7 In this way, when these people, whose treacherous opposition to us has been of long duration, have descended into the netherworld by a violent death in a single day, our kingdom will once again enjoy perpetual stability and peace.”
(Chapter 3)
14 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that they might be ready for that day. 15 The couriers went quickly by order of the king, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to feast, but the city of Susa was perplexed.
Chapter 4
Mordecai Persuades Esther To Help. 1 When Mordecai heard all that was going on, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city wailing loudly and sorrowfully. 2 But he came to a halt at the entrance to the king’s gate because no one wearing sackcloth was allowed to go in. 3 (Similarly, in every province to which the king’s edict and order reached, the Jews went into great mourning, with fasting, mourning, and weeping. Many put on sackcloth and ashes.)
4 When Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs went to her and told her about Mordecai, she became deeply troubled. She sent clothes for him to wear in place of the sackcloth, but he refused to do so. 5 Esther then called Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been assigned to her service, and ordered him to find out what this action of Mordecai meant and why it was being done.
6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of silver that Haman had promised to put in the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.
8 [i]“Remember the days of your lowly estate,” Mordecai had Hathach say, “when you were brought up in my charge; for Haman, who stands next to the king, has asked for our death.9 Invoke the Lord and speak to the king on our behalf; save us from death.”
8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the edict that had been published in Susa, for the annihilation of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther. Hathach was to urge her to go into the king’s presence to plead for mercy and intercede with him for her people.9 Hathach went back to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she gave him a message for Mordecai: 11 “All the servants of the king and the people of the royal provinces are aware that any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner palace without being summoned suffers automatic death. The sole exception to this rule is if the king extends to such a person the golden scepter, which spares his life. Yet as for me, I have not been summoned by the king for thirty days.”
12 When Esther’s words reached Mordecai, 13 he sent back this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 Even if you remain silent now, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place;[j] but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows? Perhaps it was for just such a time as this that you obtained the royal dignity.”
15 Then Esther sent back this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same thing. After that, I will go to the king—against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
17 Then Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
Chapter C
The Prayer of Mordecai.1 [k]Calling to mind everything that the Lord had done, Mordecai prayed to him in these words:
2 “O Lord God, King and ruler of all things, the entire universe is subject to your power, and no one can thwart you in your intention to save Israel.3 You made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under the firmament.4 You are Lord of all, and there is no one, O Lord, who can resist you.5 Since you know all things, O Lord, you realize that it was not because of insolence or pride or a desire for glory that I so acted in refusing to bow down to this haughty Haman.6 To ensure the salvation of Israel, I would gladly have kissed the soles of his feet.7 But I acted in this way so as not to place human glory above the glory of God. I will not bow down to anyone but you, my Lord, and I will not act in this way out of pride.
8 “Now, Lord, my God and King, O God of Abraham, spare your people, for our enemies are determined to exterminate us and to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from times of old.9 Do not forsake your people whom you redeemed and brought out of Egypt for yourself.10 Hear my prayer and have mercy on your heritage. Turn our sorrow into joy so that we may live to sing praise to your name, O Lord. Do not silence the lips of those who praise you.”
11 And all the Israelites also cried aloud with all their strength, since death was before their eyes.
The Prayer of Esther.12 Queen Esther, too, was seized with great anguish and sought recourse from the Lord.13 Removing her splendid robes, she put on garments of sadness and mourning. Instead of rich perfumes, she covered her head with dirt and ashes. She greatly mortified her body, and every part that she used to adorn elegantly, she now covered with her disheveled hair.
14 Then Esther prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, and said: “O my Lord, you alone are our King. Come to my assistance, for I am alone and have no one to help me but you.15 My life is in great danger.16 From my earliest days I was taught by my family that you, O Lord, chose Israel out of all the nations and our fathers from among all their forebearers, as an everlasting heritage, and that you have fulfilled all the promises you made to them.17 But now we have sinned against you, and you have handed us over to our enemies18 because we paid honor to their gods. You are just, O Lord.
19 “However, now our enemies are not satisfied with our bitter slavery. They have vowed to their idols20 to annul the decree you have proclaimed and destroy your heritage, to silence the mouths of those who praise you and to destroy your altar and the glory of your house,[l]21 and instead, to open the mouths of the nations to praise their worthless idols and to offer an earthly king everlasting praise.
22 “O Lord, do not consign your scepter to gods who do not exist. Do not let our enemies exult in our downfall, but turn their designs against them and make an example of the chief of our persecutors.23 Remember us, O Lord. Reveal yourself in this time of our tribulation, and give me courage, O King of gods and Master of every dominion.24 Give me the power of persuasive speech when I face the lion and enable me to turn his heart to hatred of the one who is our enemy so that he and all those who share his feelings may perish.25 Save us by your arm and come to my aid, for I am alone and have no one on whom to rely but you, O Lord.
“You know all things.26 You are fully aware that I hate the honors offered by the wicked and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised or of any alien.27 You know the straits I am in. I loathe the symbol of my proud position that I wear on my head on days when I appear in public. I detest it as if it were an unclean rag, and I do not wear it on days when I am in private.28 I, your servant, have never eaten at Haman’s table, nor have I attended any banquet of the king or drunk the wine of libations.29 From the day I changed my state until now, I have experienced no joy except in you, O Lord, God of Abraham.30 O God all-powerful, give heed to the pleas of those in despair. Deliver us from the power of the wicked and rescue me from my fear.”
Chapter D
Esther Appears before the King.1 [m]On the third day, having finished her prayers, Esther removed her penitential garments and arrayed herself in the splendor due to her state.2 Thus beautifully adorned, she invoked the aid of God, who watches over and saves all, and took her two maids with her.3 One of them provided gentle support for her,4 while the other followed, bearing her train.5 She was radiant in the splendor of her beauty, and her countenance was joyous as though permeated with love, but her heart was filled with fear.6 She passed through one door after another and finally stood in the presence of the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in all his kingly regalia adorned with gold and precious stones, so that his appearance was terrifying.
7 He looked up, and his face blazed with anger when he saw her. The queen grew faint, turned pale, and steadied herself against the head of the maid who preceded her.8 Then God changed the king’s mood from anger to one of gentleness. In alarm he sprang from his throne, held her in his arms until she revived, and soothed her with comforting words.9 “What is the matter, Esther?” he said to her. “I am your husband. Take courage.10 You shall not die, for our decree applies only to the common folk.11 Come near!”12 Then he raised his gold scepter and, touching her neck with it, embraced her and said: “Speak to me.”
13 She replied: “My lord, when I approached you, you looked like an angel of God, and I was filled with fear at your majestic presence.14 You are wonderful, my lord, and your face is enchanting.”15 As she said this, she fell in a faint.16 Then the king became troubled as his attendants sought to revive her.
Chapter 5
Esther’s Request to the King. [1 [n]On the third day, Esther donned her royal garments and positioned herself in the inner courtyard in front of the king’s hall. The king was seated on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he spotted Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he made her welcome by holding out the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.]
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even if it should be half of my kingdom,[o] it will be given to you.”
4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “I would like you and Haman to be my guests today at a banquet that I have prepared for you.”
5 Thereupon the king exclaimed, “Hurry, bring Haman here so that we may do what Esther wishes.” With that, the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now, what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even if it is up to half of my kingdom, it will be granted.”
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If I have found favor with the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to another banquet that I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Haman’s Rage against Mordecai. 9 When Haman left that day he was happy and in a good mood. But when he caught sight of Mordecai at the king’s gate and noted that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was consumed with rage toward Mordecai. 10 Nonetheless, he was able to control himself and go home.
Then he invited his friends to his house and asked his wife, Zeresh, to join them. 11 Haman boasted to them about his great wealth, his many sons, and about the honor the king had paid him by promoting him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And even more than this,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited me as the only one to the banquet with the king today, and tomorrow I am again invited to be her guest with the king. 13 Yet I get no pleasure out of any of this as long as I see that Jew Mordecai seated at the king’s gate.”
14 Then his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Why not have a gibbet set up, fifty cubits high,[p] and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” Haman liked the idea, and he had the gibbet built.
24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss to understand what this would come to. 25 Then someone arrived to report, “The men whom you imprisoned are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 The captain thereupon went with the temple officers and brought them in, although without force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27 When they had brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin. The high priest questioned them, saying, 28 “Did we not give you strict orders not to teach in this name? Yet, despite that, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you appear determined to hold us responsible for that man’s death.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus after you had put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and Savior so that he might grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they became enraged, and they wanted to put them to death. 34 However, one member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel who was a teacher of the law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the apostles be sent outside for a little while.
35 Then he addressed them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas[a] appeared. He claimed to be someone important, and about four hundred men decided to follow him. He was killed, and all of his followers disbanded, and everything came to naught. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census. He also convinced people to follow him, but he too was killed and his followers were dispersed.
38 “Therefore, I advise you to keep away from these men and let them go. If this movement is human in origin, it will fail. 39 If, however, it comes from God, you will never be able to overcome them, but may find yourselves fighting against God.”
His words persuaded them. 40 After they summoned the apostles once again, they had them scourged. Then, ordering them not to speak in the name of Jesus, they released them. 41 They left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer humiliation for the sake of the name.[b] 42 And every day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ.
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