The couriers went out quickly by order of the king, and the law was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; and the city of Susa was bewildered.

Mordecai learned all that had been done and he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. And he went through the middle of the city and cried out a loud and bitter cry;

he went up to the entrance of the gate of the king, for he could not go to the gate of the king in sackcloth.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to the public square of the city, which [was] in front of the gate of the king,

And Hathach went [back] and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

And Mordecai went away and he did everything that Esther commanded him.

And Haman went out on that day rejoicing and {feeling good}. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the gate of the king, and he did not rise or tremble before him, Haman was filled {with rage toward} Mordecai.

But Haman controlled himself and went to his house, and he sent [for] and brought his friends and Zeresh his wife.

So the king and Haman went {to dine} with Queen Esther.

The king rose in his anger {from the banquet} [and went] to the palace garden, and Haman stood to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for {he realized that the king was determined to make an end to his life}.

And the king returned from the palace garden to the {banquet hall}, [where] Haman [was] lying prostrate on the couch that Esther [was] on, and the king said, "Will he also molest the queen with me in the house?" As the words went from the king's mouth they covered Haman's face.

The mounted couriers on the royal horses went out without delay, urged by the king's word. The law was given in the citadel of Susa.

Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in {royal clothing} of blue cloth and white linen, and a great crown of gold and a robe of fine white linen and purple, and the city of Susa was shouting and rejoicing.