for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is 4 nothing done for him. And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to And the king's 5 hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. And the king servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. said, Let him come in. 6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto Now Haman thought in the man whom the king delighteth to honour? his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 7 And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to 8 honour, let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head : 9 and let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth 10 to honour. Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: 5 let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 11 12 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his 13 house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife Then said his wise men and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, 2 What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and 4 my people at my request: for we are sold, I and my people, 7 to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. 5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is 6 he, and where is he, 8 that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, 9 The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. 7 8 And the king Then Haman was afraid 10 before the king and the queen. arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also 11 before me in the house? As 9 the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the 12 gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, 1 Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth. 2 Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth. 3 Heb. let them bring the royal apparel wherewith the king clotheth himself. 4 Heb. cause him to ride. 6 Heb. to drink. 7 Heb. that they should 8 Heb. whose heart hath filled him. 9 Heb. The man adver sary. 10 Or, at the presence of. 10 Hang him thereon. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. 8 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for 2 Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. 3 1 AND Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and 4 his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the 5 golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, and said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, 6 3 which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: for how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? 7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen, and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have 8 hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. 9 10 = : Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young 11 dromedaries: wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault 12 them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. 13 5 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that 14 day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of 6 blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine 16 linen and purple and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The 17 Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and 9 in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. NOW in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over 2 them that hated them;) the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell 3 upon all people. And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and 7 officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of 1 Heb. and she wept, and besought him. 2 Heb. the device. 3 Or, who wrote. 4 Heb. be able that I may see. 6 Or, violet. 7 Heb. those which did the business that belonged to the king. 4 Mordecai fell upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated 6 them. And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred 7,8 men. And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, and Poratha, and 9 Adalia, and Aridatha, and Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. 11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace 2 was 12 brought before the king. And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day's decree, and 3 let 14 Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's 15 ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17 on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day 4 of the 18 same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made 19 it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. 20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were 21 in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, to stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and 22 the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, as the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feast23 ing and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto 24 them; because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that 25 is, the lot, to 5 consume them, and to destroy them; but 6 when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his 26 sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of 7 Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 the Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not 8 fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time 28 every year; and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them 10 perish from their seed. 29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, 30 wrote with 11 all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. And he 1 Heb. according to their will. 3 Heb. let men hang Haman's 4 Heb. in it. 5 Heb. crush 6 Heb. when she came. 7 That is, lot. 8 Heb. pass. 10 Heb. be ended. sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of 31 the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves 32 and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book. 10 AND the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of 2 the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not 3 written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. THE BOOK OF JOB. 1 THERE was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And 2, 3 there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the 3 men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent 5 and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job 4 continually. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before 7 the LORD, and 5 Satan came also 6 among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From 8 going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, 7 Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and 9 escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear 10 God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of 11 his hands, and his 8 substance is increased in the land.. But put forth thine 12 hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy 10 power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drink14 ing wine in their eldest brother's house: and there came a messenger unto Job, 15 and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants 16 with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, 11 The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and 17 consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and 12 fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell 18 thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 19 and, behold, there came a great wind 13 from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his 14 mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down 21 upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath 22 taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor 15 charged God foolishly. 1 Or, cattle. 2 Or, husbandry. 3 Heb. sons of the east. 4 Heb. all the days. 5 Heb. the adversary. 6 Heb. in the midst of them. 7 Heb. Hast thou set thy heart on. 8 Or, cattle. 9 Heb. if he curse thee 10 Heb. hand. 11 Or, A great fire. 12 Heb. rushed. 13 Heb. from aside, &c. 15 Or, attributed folly to |