1This is a copy of the letter: "The Great King, Artaxerxes, to the rulers of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia and to the governors under them, writes thus: 2"Having become ruler of many nations and master of the whole world, not elated with presumption of authority but always acting reasonably and with kindness, I have determined to settle the lives of my subjects in lasting tranquillity and, in order to make my kingdom peaceable and open to travel throughout all its extent, to re-establish the peace which all men desire. 3"When I asked my counselors how this might be accomplished, Haman, who excels among us in sound judgment, and is distinguished for his unchanging good will and steadfast fidelity, and has attained the second place in the kingdom, 4pointed out to us that among all the nations in the world there is scattered a certain, hostile people, who have laws contrary to those of every other nation and continually disregard the ordinances of the kings, so that the unifying of the kingdom which we honourably intend cannot be brought about. 5We understand that this people, and it alone, stands constantly in opposition to all men, perversely following a strange manner of life and laws, and is ill-disposed to our government, doing all the harm they can so that our kingdom may not attain stability. 6"Therefore we have decreed that those indicated to you in the letters of Haman, who is in charge of affairs and is our second father, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, without pity or mercy, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, of this present year, 7so that those who have long been and are now hostile may in one day go down in violence to Hades, and leave our government completely secure and untroubled hereafter."
Mordecai's prayer.Est.13.8-14.19
8Then Mordecai prayed to the Lord, calling to remembrance all the works of the Lord. He said: 9"O Lord, Lord, King who rules over all things, for the universe is in your power and there is no one who can oppose you if it is your will to save Israel. 10For you have made heaven and earth and every wonderful thing under heaven, 11and you are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist you, who are the Lord. 12You know all things; you know, O Lord, that it was not in insolence or pride or for any love of glory that I did this, and refused to bow down to this proud Haman. 13For I would have been willing to kiss the soles of his feet, to save Israel! 14But I did this, that I might not set the glory of man above the glory of God, and I will not bow down to any one but to you, who are my Lord; and I will not do these things in pride. 15And now, O Lord God and King, God of Abraham, spare your people; for the eyes of our foes are upon us to annihilate us, and they desire to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from the beginning. 16Do not neglect your portion, which you redeemed for yourself out of the land of Egypt. 17Hear my prayer, and have mercy upon your inheritance turn our mourning into feasting, that we may live and sing praise to your name, O Lord; do not destroy the mouth of those who praise you." 18And all Israel cried out mightily, for their death was before their eyes.