Esther (Greek) 16
16
Addition E#16.1 The verses 16.1-24 are sometimes numbered as E.1-24 or 8.12a-12x.
A Copy of the Letter Sent by King Artaxerxes
13[1] This is a copy of the letter:
From Artaxerxes, the Great King, to the governors of my 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to everyone who is loyal to me. I send you my greetings.
14[2] People often become proud when I show kindness and honor them. 15[3] Their success makes them arrogant, and they try to harm other people in my kingdom. And as if that wasn't bad enough, they plot against me, although I have always been good to them. 16[4] They refuse to be grateful, and they believe all the flattering things they are told by those who hate what is good. These people think that God won't punish them, even though he hates evil and can see everything they do.
17-18[5-6] A king who wants to be good to his people will often let his friends be officials in his government, because he trusts them to give good advice and to do right. But when they are evil, they tell lies and persuade the king to kill innocent people or to do other horrible things that can never be made right. 19[7] When we look at historical records passed down to us, we see how much evil can be done when high officials are unworthy of their positions and use their power in a destructive way. But we can see this even more clearly by looking at what has just happened here in our own kingdom.
20[8] From now on, I am going to concentrate on making my kingdom a place where everyone can find safety and peace. 21[9] I will change the way I rule, and when I make decisions, I will be fair to everyone.
22-23[10-11] As for Haman son of Hammedatha, he wasn't even a Persian—he was from Macedonia!#16.10,11 Macedonia: A nation in northern Greece that was an enemy of Persia. I have always tried to be kind to people from every nation, and I was especially kind to Haman. He was welcomed as a guest in my kingdom, and he became my highest official. Everyone bowed down to him, and I trusted him like my own father.
But Haman was never kind to anyone. 24[12] He was full of pride, and so he plotted to kill me and take over my kingdom. 25[13] His evil plans included tricking me into ordering that all the Jews were to be killed, including Mordecai, who saved my life and who is always doing good things for me. Queen Esther is also Jewish, which means that Haman would have killed her too, even though she shares my royal rule and has never done anything wrong. 26[14] Haman thought that if he could have all the Jews killed, I would have no one to support me, and then he could take over the Persian Empire and give it to the Macedonians.
27[15] The Jews were sentenced to death by this man who deserved to be under a curse. But I have found that Jews are not criminals at all. Instead, they live their lives according to laws that are fair to everyone. 28[16] And the Jews are the children of the highest and greatest God, the living God, who has guided my ancestors and me in ruling Persia the best way possible.
29[17] So, it is best for you to ignore the letters sent by Haman, 30[18] since he and his whole family have now been hanged at the city gate of Susa. God rules the world and was quick to punish Haman as he deserved.
31[19] A copy of this letter is to be put on public display in every town.
You must allow the Jews to live by their own laws. 32[20] And since the thirteenth day of the month of Adar#16.20 Adar: See the note at 2.15,16. will bring trouble for them, you must give them support, so that they will be able to defend themselves when they are attacked.
33[21] God rules all things, and he has decided to make the thirteenth of Adar a day when his chosen people will celebrate, instead of being killed.
34[22] Place this special day on the list of festivals to be celebrated in your province. 35[23] This day will always remind us and all other loyal Persians how we were saved. It will also remind everyone that those who plot against us will be destroyed.
36[24] I will be furious with any city or province that disobeys my instructions, and I will send my army to destroy it with fire. No one will be able to travel there, and even the wild animals and birds will hate to be anywhere near it.
End of Addition E
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Esther (Greek) 16: CEVDCI
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