And, this day, shall the ladies of Persia and Media, who have heard the report of the queen, tell it, unto all the lords of the king, - with enough of contempt and wrath.

A copy of the writing, to be delivered as an edict throughout every province, was published to all the peoples, - that they should be ready against this day.

Then called Esther for Hathach, one of the eunuchs of the king whom he had stationed before her, and charged him, concerning Mordecai, - to get to know what this was, and why this was.

But, if thou, do indeed hold thy peace, at this time, respite and deliverance, will be appointed for the Jews, from another place, but, thou, and thy father's house, will perish, - and who knoweth whether, for a time such as this, thou hast attained unto the royal estate?

Go! gather ye together all the Jews who are to be found in Shusan, and fast ye for me - and neither eat nor drink - three days, night nor day, and, I and my maidens, will fast so, - and, in this manner, will I go in unto the king, though it is not according to the law, and, when I have perished, I have perished!

Then said Esther, If, unto the king, it seem good, let the king with Haman come in this day, unto the banquet which I have prepared for him.

Yet, all this, sufficeth me not, - so long as, I, see Mordecai the Jew, sitting in the gate of the king.

Then said the king, What honour and dignity hath been done unto Mordecai, for this? Then said the king's young men, who were ministering unto him, Nothing hath been done for him.

And Esther said, A man who is an adversary and enemy, this wicked Haman. And, Haman, was terrified, before the king and the queen.

For this cause, the country Jews, who dwelt in the country towns, were making the fourteenth day of the month Adar one of rejoicing and banqueting, and a day of happiness, - and of sending portions every one to his neighbour.

For this cause, called they these days Purim, after the name Pur, for this cause, - for all the words of this epistle, - and what they had seen concerning such a matter, and what had reached unto them.

Then wrote Esther the queen daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew, with all authority, - to confirm this second epistle concerning the Purim;