Esther 8:9-14

91So the king’s scribes were summoned at that time in the third month (that is, the month Sivan), on the twenty-third 2day; and it was written in accordance with everything that Mordecai commanded the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the officials of the provinces which extended 3from India to 4Cush, 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 royal relay horses, offspring of racing mares. 117In the letters the king granted the Jews who were in each and every city the right 8to assemble and to defend their lives, 9to destroy, kill, and eliminate the entire army of any people or province which was going to attack them, including children and women, and 10to plunder their spoils, 12on 11one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on 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, hurrying and speeded by the king’s command, left, riding on the royal relay horses; and the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa.