Esther 3:1-10

1After these things king Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and paid honour to Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did pay him honour. 3Then the king’s servants, who were in the king’s gate, said to Mordecai, Why dost thou transgress the king’s commandment? 4Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he hearkened not to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 5And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did pay him honour, then was Haman full of wrath. 6And he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

7In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. 8And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are different from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to allow them to remain .1 9If it shall please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.23 10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.4