1 The copy of the letters was this: The great king Artaxerxes writeth these things to the princes and governors that are under him from India unto Ethiopia, in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces.

1 Rex maximus Artaxerxes ab India usque Æthiopiam, centum viginti septem provinciarum principibus et ducibus qui ejus imperio subjecti sunt, salutem.

2 After that I became lord over many nations, and had dominion over the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but carrying myself alway with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle my subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom peaceable, and open for passage to the utmost coasts, to renew peace, which is desired of all men.

2 Cum plurimis gentibus imperarem, et universum orbem meæ ditioni subjugassem, volui nequaquam abuti potentiæ magnitudine, sed clementia et lenitate gubernare subjectos, ut absque ullo terrore vitam silentio transigentes, optata cunctis mortalibus pace fruerentur.

3 Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass, Aman, that excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his constant good will and stedfast fidelity, and had the honour of the second place in the kingdom,

3 Quærente autem me a consiliariis meis quomodo posset hoc impleri, unus qui sapientia et fide ceteros præcellebat, et erat post regem secundus, Aman nomine,

4 Declared unto 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 commandments of kings, so as the uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us, cannot go forward.

4 indicavit mihi in toto orbe terrarum populum esse dispersum, qui novis uteretur legibus, et, contra omnium gentium consuetudinem faciens, regum jussa contemneret, et universarum concordiam nationum sua dissensione violaret.

5 Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in opposition unto all men, differing in the strange manner of their laws, and evil affected to our state, working all the mischief they can, that our kingdom may not be firmly established:

5 Quod cum didicissemus, videntes unam gentem rebellem adversus omne hominum genus perversis uti legibus, nostrisque jussionibus contraire, et turbare subjectarum nobis provinciarum pacem atque concordiam,

6 Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is next unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:

6 jussimus ut quoscumque Aman, qui omnibus provinciis præpositus est et secundus a rege, et quem patris loco colimus, monstraverit, cum conjugibus ac liberis deleantur ab inimicis suis, nullusque eorum misereatur, quartadecima die duodecimi mensis Adar anni præsentis:

7 That they, who of old and now also are malicious, may in one day with violence go into the grave, and so ever hereafter cause our affairs to be well settled, and without trouble.

7 ut nefarii homines uno die ad inferos descendentes, reddant imperio nostro pacem, quam turbaverant. Pergensque Mardochæus, fecit omnia quæ ei mandaverat Esther.

8 Then Mardocheus thought upon all the works of the Lord, and made his prayer unto him,

8 ¶ Mardochæus autem deprecatus est Dominum, memor omnium operum ejus,

9 Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty: for the whole world is in thy power, and if thou hast appointed to save Israel, there is no man that can gainsay thee:

9 et dixit: Domine, Domine rex omnipotens, in ditione enim tua cuncta sunt posita, et non est qui possit tuæ resistere voluntati, si decreveris salvare Israël.

10 For thou hast made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things under the heaven.

10 Tu fecisti cælum et terram, et quidquid cæli ambitu continetur.

11 Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord.

11 Dominus omnium es, nec est qui resistat majestati tuæ.

12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Aman.

12 Cuncta nosti, et scis quia non pro superbia et contumelia, et aliqua gloriæ cupiditate, fecerim hoc, ut non adorarem Aman superbissimum

13 For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet.

13 (libenter enim pro salute Israël etiam vestigia pedum ejus deosculari paratus essem),

14 But I did this, that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God: neither will I worship any but thee, O God, neither will I do it in pride.

14 sed timui ne honorem Dei mei transferrem ad hominem, et ne quemquam adorarem, excepto Deo meo.

15 And now, O Lord God and King, spare thy people: for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought; yea, they desire to destroy the inheritance, that hath been thine from the beginning.

15 Et nunc, Domine rex, Deus Abraham, miserere populi tui, quia volunt nos inimici nostri perdere, et hæreditatem tuam delere.

16 Despise not the portion, which thou hast delivered out of Egypt for thine own self.

16 Ne despicias partem tuam, quam redemisti tibi de Ægypto.

17 Hear my prayer, and be merciful unto thine inheritance: turn our sorrow into joy, that we may live, O Lord, and praise thy name: and destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee, O Lord.

17 Exaudi deprecationem meam, et propitius esto sorti et funiculo tuo, et converte luctum nostrum in gaudium, ut viventes laudemus nomen tuum, Domine: et ne claudas ora te canentium.

18 All Israel in like manner cried most earnestly unto the Lord, because their death was before their eyes.

18 Omnis quoque Israël pari mente et obsecratione clamavit ad Dominum, eo quod eis certa mors impenderet.