Esther 3:8-15

8Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; 1their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king’s laws, so it is not in the king’s interest to let them remain. 9If it is pleasing to the king, let it be 2decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king’s business, to put into the king’s treasuries.” 10Then 3the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman, the son of Hammedatha 4the Agagite, 5the enemy of the Jews. 11The king said to Haman, “The silver is 6yours, and the people also, to do with them as you please.”

127Then the king’s scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and it was written just as Haman commanded to 8the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people, each province according to its script, each people according to its language, being written 9in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 13Letters were sent by 10couriers to all the king’s provinces 11to destroy, to kill and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, women and children, 12in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to 13seize their possessions as plunder. 1414A copy of the edict to be 15issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they should be ready for this day. 15The couriers went out impelled by the king’s command while the decree was 16issued at the citadel in Susa; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink, 17the city of Susa was in confusion.