A copy of the king’s letter in favour of the Jews.
16:1. The great king Artaxerxes, from India to Ethiopia, to the
governors and princes of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, which
obey our command, sendeth greeting.
From India to Ethiopia.... That is, who reigneth from India to
Ethiopia.
16:2. Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and the
honour that hath been bestowed upon them:
16:3. And not only endeavour to oppress the king’s subjects, but not
bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand, to practise also
against them that gave it.
16:4. Neither are they content not to return thanks for benefits
received, and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they
think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all things.
16:5. And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour to
undermine by lies such as observe diligently the offices committed to
them, and do all things in such manner as to be worthy of all men’s
praise,
16:6. While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are
well meaning, and judge of others by their own nature.
16:7. Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the things
which are done daily, how the good designs of kings are depraved by the
evil suggestions of certain men.
16:8. Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.
16:9. Neither must you think, if we command different things, that it
cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give sentence according
to the quality and necessity of times, as the profit of the
commonwealth requireth.
16:10. Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, Aman the
son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and country, and having
nothing of the Persian blood, but with his cruelty staining our
goodness, was received being a stranger by us:
16:11. And found our humanity so great towards him, that he was called
our father, and was worshipped by all as the next man after the king:
16:12. But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about to
deprive us of our kingdom and life.
16:13. For with certain new and unheard of devices he hath sought the
destruction of Mardochai, by whose fidelity and good services our life
was saved, and of Esther the partner of our kingdom with all their
nation:
16:14. Thinking that after they were slain, he might work treason
against us left alone without friends, and might transfer the kingdom
of the Persians to the Macedonians.
16:15. But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked
man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrariwise,
use just laws,
16:16. And are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the
ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our
fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day.
16:17. Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our name,
are void and of no effect.
16:18. For which crime both he himself that devised it, and all his
kindred hang on gibbets, before the gates of this city Susan: not we,
but God repaying him as he deserved.
16:19. But this edict, which we now send, shall be published in all
cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own laws.
16:20. And you shall aid them that they may kill those who had prepared
themselves to kill them, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,
which is called Adar.
16:21. For the almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and
mourning into joy to them.
16:22. Wherefore you shall also count this day among other festival
days, and celebrate it with all joy, that it may be known also in times
to come,
16:23. That all they who faithfully obey the Persians, receive a worthy
reward for their fidelity: but they that are traitors to their kingdom,
are destroyed for their wickedness.
16:24. And let every province and city, that will not be partaker of
this solemnity, perish by the sword and by fire, and be destroyed in
such manner as to be made unpassable, both to men and beasts, for an
example of contempt, and disobedience.