The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

1 Now (A)in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on (B)the thirteenth (a)day (C)when the king’s command and edict (b)were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.

1 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 them that hated them;)

1 The king’s command and law(A) went into effect on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,(B) the month Adar.(a) On the day when the Jews’ enemies(C) had hoped to overpower them, just the opposite happened. The Jews overpowered those who hated them.(D)

1 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.

1 Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar) on the thirteenth day when the king’s command and edict were about to be executed, on the [very] day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to gain power over them [and slaughter them], it happened the other way around so that the Jews themselves gained power over those who hated them.

2 (D)The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm; and no one could stand before them, (E)for the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples.

2 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 upon all people.

2 In each of King Ahasuerus’s provinces(E) the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who intended to harm them.(b) Not a single person could withstand them; terror of them(F) fell on every nationality.(G)

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.

2 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) to apprehend those who wanted to do them harm; and no one could stand before them, for the fear of them [and their God] had fallen on all the peoples.

3 Even all the princes of the provinces, (F)the satraps, the governors and those who were doing the king’s business (c)assisted the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them.

3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

3 All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the royal civil administrators(c)(H) aided the Jews because they were afraid of Mordecai.(I)

3 All the provincial officials, the regional authorities, the governors, and those doing the king's work supported the Jewish people because the fear of Mordecai had come over them.

3 Even all the officials of the provinces and the chief rulers (satraps) and the governors and those who attended to the king’s business supported the Jews [in defeating their enemies], because the fear of Mordecai [and his God’s power] had fallen on them.

4 Indeed, Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai (G)became greater and greater.

4 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.

4 For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace,(J) and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.(K)

4 Indeed, Mordecai was a powerful official in the palace and his fame spread throughout the provinces. Indeed, the man Mordecai grew more and more powerful.

4 For Mordecai was great and respected in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai became greater and greater.

5 Thus (H)the Jews struck all their enemies with (d)the sword, killing and destroying; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.

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 them.

5 The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them.(L) They did what they pleased to those who hated them.

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.

5 So the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.

6 At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,

6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

6 In the fortress of Susa(M) the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men,

6 In Susa the capital the Jewish people killed and destroyed 500 people.

6 At the citadel in Susa the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,

7 and Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,

7 including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

7 They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

7 and [they killed] Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha,

9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha.

9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,

9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,

10 (I)the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy; but (J)they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

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.

10 They killed these 10 sons(N) of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.(O) However, they did not seize(d) any plunder.(P)

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.

10 the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jews’ enemy; but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

11 On that day the number of those who were killed at the citadel in Susa (e)was reported to the king.

11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

11 On that day the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa was reported to the king.

11 On that day the number of those slain in Susa the capital was reported to the king.

11 On that day the number of those who were killed at the citadel in Susa was reported to the king.

12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman at the citadel in Susa. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! (K)Now what is your petition? It shall even be granted you. And what is your further request? It shall also be done.”

12 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.

12 The king said to Queen Esther, “In the fortress of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men, including Haman’s 10 sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you seek will also be done.”(Q)

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."

12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman at the citadel in Susa. What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces! Now what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. What is your further request? It shall also be done.”

13 Then said Esther, “If it pleases the king, (L)let tomorrow also be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do according to the edict of today; and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.”

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 let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

13 Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, may the Jews who are in Susa also have tomorrow(R) to carry out today’s law,(S) and may the bodies of Haman’s 10 sons(T) be hung on the gallows.”(U)

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, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on poles."

13 Esther replied, “If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to act tomorrow also in accordance with the decree of today; and let [the dead bodies of] Haman’s ten sons be hanged on the gallows.”(A)

14 So the king commanded that it should be done so; and an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman’s ten sons were hanged.

14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

14 The king gave the orders for this to be done, so a law was announced in Susa, and they hung the bodies of Haman’s 10 sons.

14 The king said, "Let this be done." So an edict was issued in Susa, and Haman's ten sons were hanged on poles.

14 So the king commanded it to be done; the decree was given in Susa, and they hanged [the bodies of] Haman’s ten sons.

15 The Jews who were in Susa assembled also on the fourteenth day of the month Adar and killed (M)three hundred men in Susa, but (N)they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

15 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.

15 The Jews in Susa assembled again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar(V) and killed 300 men in Susa, but they did not seize(e) any plunder.(W)

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.

15 The Jews who were in Susa also gathered together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men in Susa, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

16 Now (O)the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces (P)assembled, to defend their lives and (f)rid themselves of their enemies, and kill 75,000 of those who hated them; but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

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,

16 The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces assembled, defended themselves, and got rid of(f) their enemies. They killed 75,000(g) of those who hated them,(X) but they did not seize(h) any plunder.

16 The rest of the Jewish people in the king's provinces assembled to defend 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.

16 Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces assembled, to defend their lives and rid themselves of their enemies, and kill 75,000 of those who hated them; but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

17 This was done on (Q)the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and (R)on the fourteenth (g)day they rested and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

17 They fought on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar and rested on the fourteenth, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.

17 They did this on the thirteenth day of Adar and rested on the fourteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy.

17 This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

The Origins Of The Feast Of Purim

18 But the Jews who were in Susa (S)assembled on the thirteenth and (T)the fourteenth (h)of the same month, and they rested on the fifteenth (i)day and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

18 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 it a day of feasting and gladness.

18 But the Jews in Susa had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. They rested on the fifteenth day of the month, and it became a day of feasting and rejoicing.(Y)

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.

18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth of the same month, and on the fifteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and rejoicing.

19 Therefore the Jews of the rural areas, who live in (U)the rural towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a (j)(V)holiday for rejoicing and feasting and (W)sending portions of food to one another.

19 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.

19 This explains why the rural Jews who live in villages observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a time of rejoicing and feasting. It is a holiday when they send gifts to one another.(Z)

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 to one another.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the rural [unwalled] towns, make the fourteenth day of the month of Adar a holiday for rejoicing and feasting and sending choice portions of food to one another.

The Feast Of Purim

20 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

20 Mordecai(AA) recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all of King Ahasuerus’s provinces, both near and far.

20 Mordecai wrote these instructions and sent letters to all the Jewish people in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

20 Now Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who lived in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,

21 obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day (k)of the same month, annually,

21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,

21 He ordered(AB) them to celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar every year

21 establishing that they should celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar every year,

21 obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually,

22 because on those days the Jews (l)rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was (X)turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a (m)holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and (Y)sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

22 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 feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

22 because during those days the Jews got rid of(i)(AC) their enemies. That was the month when their sorrow was turned into rejoicing and their mourning into a holiday.(AD) They were to be days of feasting,(AE) rejoicing, and of sending gifts to one another and the poor.

22 as the days on which the Jewish people enjoyed relief 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 to one another and gifts to the poor.

22 because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and as the month which was turned for them from grief to joy and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending choice portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

23 Thus the Jews undertook what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them.

23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;

23 So the Jews agreed to continue the practice they had begun, as Mordecai had written them to do.

23 So the Jewish people made a tradition out of what they had begun to do and of what Mordecai had written to them,

23 So the Jews undertook what they had started to do, and what Mordecai had written to them.

The Reason For The Festival Of Purim

24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the adversary of all the Jews, had schemed against the Jews to destroy them and (Z)had cast Pur, that is the lot, to disturb them and destroy them.

24 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 is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;

24 For Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews,(AF) had plotted against the Jews to destroy them. He cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.(AG)

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 (that is, the lot) to determine when to confuse and destroy them.

24 For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, [to find the right time] to disturb and destroy them.

25 But (AA)when it came (n)to the king’s attention, he commanded by letter (AB)that his wicked scheme which he had (o)devised against the Jews, (AC)should return on his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the (p)gallows.

25 But 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 sons should be hanged on the gallows.

25 But when the matter was brought before the king,(AH) he commanded by letter that the evil plan Haman had devised against the Jews return on his own head(AI) and that he should be hanged with his sons on the gallows.(AJ)

25 But when Esther came before the king, he ordered through a letter that the evil plot that Haman had devised against the Jewish people be rescinded, and that he and his sons be hanged on poles.

25 But when it came before the king, he commanded in writing that Haman’s wicked scheme which he had devised against the Jews was to return on his own head, and that he and his sons should [endure what he planned for the Jews and] be hanged on the gallows.

26 Therefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. (q)And (AD)because of the instructions in this letter, both what they had seen in this regard and what had happened to them,

26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of 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,

26 For this reason these days are called Purim, from the word Pur.(AK)Because of all the instructions in this letter as well as what they had witnessed and what had happened to them,

26 Therefore these days were called , from the word . Because of all that was written in this letter, because of what they experienced in this matter, and because of what happened to them,

26 Therefore they called these days Purim after the name Pur (lot). And because of all the instructions in this letter, and what they had faced in this regard and what had happened to them,

27 the Jews established and (r)made a custom for themselves and for their (s)descendants and for (AE)all those who allied themselves with them, so that (t)they would not fail (AF)to celebrate these two days according to their (u)regulation and according to their appointed time annually.

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 fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

27 the Jews bound themselves, their descendants, and all who joined(AL) with them to a commitment that they would not fail to celebrate these two days each and every year according to the written instructions and according to the time appointed.

27 the Jewish people established this celebration, making it a tradition for themselves, for their descendants, and for all who joined with them that they should not fail to observe these two days each year, based on the written instructions, and at the prescribed time.

27 the Jews established and made it a custom for themselves and for their descendants and for all who joined them, so that they would not fail to celebrate these two days as it was written and at the appointed time annually.

28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to (v)fail from among the Jews, or their memory (w)fade from their (x)descendants.

28 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 perish from their seed.

28 These days are remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim will not lose their significance in Jewish life(j) and their memory will not fade from their descendants.(AM)

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 the Jewish people, and that they should not be forgotten by their descendants.

28 So these days were to be remembered and celebrated throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city; and these days of Purim were not to cease from among the Jews, nor their memory fade from their descendants.

29 Then Queen Esther, (AG)daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm (AH)this second letter about Purim.

29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.

29 Queen Esther daughter of Abihail,(AN) along with Mordecai the Jew,(AO) wrote this second letter with full authority(AP) to confirm the letter about Purim.

29 Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority confirming this second letter about Purim.

29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full power and authority to confirm this second letter about Purim.

30 He sent letters to all the Jews, (AI)to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, namely, words of peace and truth,

30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

30 He sent letters with messages of peace and faithfulness to all the Jews who were in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus,

30 Letters containing wishes for peace and stability were sent to all the Jewish people, to the 127 provinces of Ahasuerus' kingdom,

30 He sent letters to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth,

31 to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as they had established for themselves and for their (y)descendants with (z)instructions (AJ)for their times of fasting and their lamentations.

31 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 and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.

31 in order to confirm these days of Purim at their proper time just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and just as they had committed themselves and their descendants to the practices of fasting(AQ) and lamentation.(AR)

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 had established for themselves and for their descendants. The letter included instructions for their fasting and lamentations.

31 to establish these days of Purim [to be observed] at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and as they had established for themselves and for their descendants with instructions regarding their times of fasting and their lamentations (expressions of needing help).

32 The command of Esther established these (aa)customs for (AK)Purim, and it was written in the book.

32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

32 So Esther’s command confirmed these customs of Purim, which were then written into the record.

32 The order of Esther established these instructions for Purim, and it was officially recorded.

32 The command of Esther established these customs for Purim, and it was written in the book [of the royal archives].

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