Esther 8:9-14

91So the king’s scribes were called at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third 2day; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, the satraps, the governors and the princes of the provinces which extended 3from India to 4Ethiopia, 127 provinces, to 5every province according to its script, and to every people according to their language as well as to the Jews according to their script and their language. 10He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on 6horses, riding on steeds sired by the royal stud. 117In them the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right 8to assemble and to defend their lives, 9to destroy, to kill and to annihilate the entire army of any people or province which might attack them, including children and women, and 10to plunder their spoil, 12on 11one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar). 1312A copy of the edict to be 13issued as law in each and every province was published to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be ready for this day to avenge themselves on their enemies. 14The couriers, hastened and impelled by the king’s command, went out, riding on the royal steeds; and the decree was given out at the citadel in Susa.