Esther (Greek) 13
13
A Copy of the Letter
14[1] This is a copy of the letter:
From Artaxerxes, the Great King, to the governors and officials of my 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia.
15[2] I rule many nations, and I am the most powerful king in the world. But I have never used my power in a proud or arrogant way. Instead, I have always been reasonable and kind to the people in my kingdom. I know they want peace, and so I have decided to make every part of my kingdom peaceful and safe for travel.
16-17[3-4] #3 Macc 3.7. When I asked my advisors to tell me the best way to bring about peace and safety, Haman had an answer. He is the wisest man in my kingdom and is always loyal and kind, which is why I made him my highest official. He told us that the people from a certain nation are scattered throughout all the other nations of the world. These people are always causing trouble, and they have laws that make them disobey those of the nations where they live. And when I make laws in the hope of uniting the people in my kingdom, the people of this nation refuse to obey. 18[5] In fact, they seem to be the only people who always go against everyone else and insist on following their own strange customs. They don't like the way I rule, and they commit every horrible crime they can to keep my kingdom from being peaceful.
19[6] Haman, my highest and most honored official, has written letters telling what these people are like. So I have made a law that all of them—even the women and children—must be put to death without mercy on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar#13.6 Adar: See the note at 2.15,16. of this year. 20[7] They have worked against us for a long time, and so on this one day, we will use violence to send them down to the world of the dead. Then our kingdom will be peaceful and free from trouble forever.
End of Addition B
Currently Selected:
Esther (Greek) 13: CEVDCI
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.