1The text of the letter read as follows: “The great King Ahasuerus to the satraps, governors and all our loyal subjects in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia: Greetings! ①
2The more some men are honored through the generosity of their patrons, the prouder they become.Gloating in their power and incapable of responsibility, they seek to injure our subjects and even plot against their own benefactors. 3They drive out gratitude from the human heart. Carried away by the arrogant boasts of men who know nothing of goodness, they think they will escape the justice of the all-seeing God.
4It often happens also that those in authority, through the influence of friends entrusted with the administration of public affairs, become partly responsible for the shedding of innocent blood and are involved in causing irremediable misfortune. 5Even well-intentioned rulers are led astray by the trickery of the corrupt.
6These evil practices of past times, as attested by the records, have been carried over to the present in the crimes perpetrated by unworthy officials. 7For the future, however, we will strive to make our kingdom a realm of peace for all 8by starting now to adopt new policies and by treating with the utmost justice all matters that come to our attention.
9To give an example, Haman, son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian who is alien to Persian blood and devoid of our kindness, was treated hospitably by us. 10Enjoying the goodwill that we have towards every nation, he was even proclaimed our “father,” before whom, as second in rank to the king, everyone bowed down. 11But his arrogance turned his head, and he schemed to deprive us of our kingdom and our life. 12He plotted for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, of Esther, our blameless royal partner, and of their entire race. 13In that way he hoped to make us defenseless and facilitate the transfer of rule by the Persians to the Macedonians.
14‘We find, however, that the Jews consigned to extinction by this accursed man are not evildoers but are governed by the most just of laws. 15They are, in fact, children of the Most High, the great living God, who has made our kingdom prosperous for us and for our ancestors.
16You will, therefore, do well to ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of Hammedatha, for the man himself, together with his entire family, has been hanged at the gate of Susa. Thus speedily has God, who rules over all, given him the punishment he deserved.
17Post a copy of this letter in every public place, give the Jews freedom to live by their own laws, and come to their aid in time of trial against those who plan to attack them on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar. 18For God, who rules over all, has turned this day from one of destruction into one of joy for his chosen people.
19You should, therefore, celebrate this memorable day among your designated feasts with all rejoicing, so that both now and hereafter it may be for us and the loyal Persians a celebration of salvation, and for those who plot against us a reminder of destruction.
20Every city and country, without exception, that fails to observe this decree shall be ruthlessly destroyed with sword and fire. It will then be ever left untrodden not only by people but by the beasts and birds as well.
21A copy of the text of the edict to be promulgated as law in every province was published among all the peoples so that the Jews might be prepared on the day stated to avenge themselves on their enemies.
22Spurred on by the king’s command, the couriers, mounted on the king’s steeds, rode out in haste, and the edict was promulgated in the citadel of Susa.
23In royal garments of blue and white, with a large golden crown and a cloak of purple and fine linen, Mordecai left the king’s presence. There was a joyful celebration in the city of Susa. 24For the Jews it was a time of splendor and merriment, honor and triumph. 25Wherever the king’s edict was read in every province and in each city, there was rejoicing and feasting among the Jews. Many people of other nationalities were seized with fear of the Jews, and they embraced Judaism.
- In some way, this letter completes the first one we read in chapter 13. The king favors the Jews in the same irresponsible way he had earlier commanded that they be killed. But, naturally, it was not his fault: Haman was the one who had deceived the king. He finds no problem in decreeing the opposite of what he had decided shortly before. For him, this change is proof that he acts with much wisdom to correct errors of others.
Again, the author of Esther captures the stupidity and vanity of these great men who always try to convince their people that they are indispensable and that, without them, people would live in chaos. If the book of Esther aspires to show God’s providence for his people, it also undermines personality worship and the official image created by the services of a dictatorship.
