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chapter 13
1
And
this was the copy of the letter: Artaxerxes the great king who reigneth from
India to Ethiopia, to the princes and governors of the hundred and twenty-seven
provinces, that are subject to his empire, greeting.
2 Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought
all the world under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse the greatness of my
power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and lenity, that they might live
quietly without any terror. and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all men.
3 But when I asked my counsellors how this might be
accomplished, one that excelled the rest in wisdom and fidelity, and was second
after the king, Aman by name,
4 Told me that there was a people scattered through the
whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations,
despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the
concord of all nations.
5 Wherefore having learned this, and seeing one nation
in opposition to all mankind using perverse laws, and going against our
commandments, and disturbing the peace and concord of the provinces subject to
us,
6 We have commanded that all whom Aman shall mark out,
who is chief over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we
honour as a father, shall be utterly destroyed by their enemies, with their
wives and children, and that none shall have pity on them. on the fourteenth
day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
7 That these wicked men going down to hell in one day,
may restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.
8 But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his
works,
9 And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things
are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine
to save Israel.
10 Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all things that
are under the cope of heaven.
11 Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can
resist thy majesty.
12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it
was not out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory, that I refused to
worship the proud Aman,
13 (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation
of Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet,)
14 But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my
God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.
15 And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have
mercy on thy people, be- cause our enemies resolve to destroy us, and
extinguish thy inheritance.
16 Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed
for thyself out of Egypt.
17 Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and
inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy
name, 0 Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.
18 And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried
to the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.
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