Esth.9.1

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king's order came into effect. This was the very day that the enemies of the Jews had planned to overpower them, but the tables were now turned: the Jews overpowered those who hated them!

Esth.9.1

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.

Esth.9.1

Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king's command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.

Esth.9.1

So on March 7 the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to destroy them, but quite the opposite happened.

Esth.9.2

The Jews had gathered in the cities throughout King Xerxes' provinces to lay hands on those who were seeking their ruin. Not one man was able to stand up against them--fear made cowards of them all.

Esth.9.2

The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those seeking their destruction. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them.

Esth.9.2

The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people.

Esth.9.2

The Jews gathered in their cities throughout all the king's provinces to defend themselves against anyone who might try to harm them. But no one could make a stand against them, for everyone was afraid of them.

Esth.9.3

What's more, all the government officials, satraps, governors--everyone who worked for the king--actually helped the Jews because of Mordecai; they were afraid of him.

Esth.9.3

And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king's administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them.

Esth.9.3

And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

Esth.9.3

And all the commanders of the provinces, the princes, the governors, and the royal officials helped the Jews for fear of Mordecai.

Esth.9.4

Mordecai by now was a power in the palace. As Mordecai became more and more powerful, his reputation had grown in all the provinces.

Esth.9.4

Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.

Esth.9.4

For Mordecai was great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent.

Esth.9.4

For Mordecai had been promoted in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

Esth.9.5

So the Jews finished off all their enemies with the sword, slaughtering them right and left, and did as they pleased to those who hated them.

Esth.9.5

The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.

Esth.9.5

Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.

Esth.9.5

But the Jews went ahead on the appointed day and struck down their enemies with the sword. They killed and annihilated their enemies and did as they pleased with those who hated them.

Esth.9.6

In the palace complex of Susa the Jews massacred five hundred men.

Esth.9.6

In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

Esth.9.6

And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.

Esth.9.6

They killed five hundred people in the fortress of Susa.

Esth.9.7

They also killed the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the archenemy of the Jews: Parshandatha Dalphon Aspatha

Esth.9.7

They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esth.9.7

Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esth.9.7

They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

Esth.9.8

Poratha Adalia Aridatha

Esth.9.8

Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

Esth.9.8

Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

Esth.9.8

Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

Esth.9.9

Parmashta Arisai Aridai Vaizatha

Esth.9.9

Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha,

Esth.9.9

Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vajezatha--

Esth.9.9

Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha--

Esth.9.10

But they took no plunder.

Esth.9.10

the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Esth.9.10

the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews--they killed; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

Esth.9.10

the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not take any plunder.

Esth.9.11

That day, when it was all over, the number of those killed in the palace complex was given to the king.

Esth.9.11

The number of those slain in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day.

Esth.9.11

On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king.

Esth.9.11

That evening, when the king was informed of the number of people killed in the fortress of Susa,

Esth.9.12

The king told Queen Esther, "In the palace complex alone here in Susa the Jews have killed five hundred men, plus Haman's ten sons. Think of the killing that must have been done in the rest of the provinces! What else do you want? Name it and it's yours. Your wish is my command."

Esth.9.12

The king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted."

Esth.9.12

And the king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or what is your further request? It shall be done."

Esth.9.12

he called for Queen Esther and said, "The Jews have killed five hundred people in the fortress of Susa alone and also Haman's ten sons. If they have done that here, what has happened in the rest of the provinces? But now, what more do you want? It will be granted to you; tell me and I will do it."

Esth.9.13

"If it please the king," Queen Esther responded, "give the Jews of Susa permission to extend the terms of the order another day. And have the bodies of Haman's ten sons hanged in public display on the gallows."

Esth.9.13

"If it pleases the king," Esther answered, "give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day's edict tomorrow also, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows."

Esth.9.13

Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows."

Esth.9.13

And Esther said, "If it please Your Majesty, give the Jews in Susa permission to do again tomorrow as they have done today, and have the bodies of Haman's ten sons hung from the gallows. "

Esth.9.14

The king commanded it: The order was extended; the bodies of Haman's ten sons were publicly hanged.

Esth.9.14

So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman.

Esth.9.14

So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

Esth.9.14

So the king agreed, and the decree was announced in Susa. They also hung the bodies of Haman's ten sons from the gallows.

Esth.9.15

The Jews in Susa went at it again. On the fourteenth day of Adar they killed another three hundred men in Susa. But again they took no plunder.

Esth.9.15

The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Esth.9.15

And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

Esth.9.15

Then the Jews at Susa gathered together on March 8 and killed three hundred more people, though again they took no plunder.

Esth.9.16

Meanwhile in the rest of the king's provinces, the Jews had organized and defended themselves, freeing themselves from oppression. On the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, they killed 75,000 of those who hated them but did not take any plunder.

Esth.9.16

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king's provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder.

Esth.9.16

The remainder of the Jews in the king's provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

Esth.9.16

Meanwhile, the other Jews throughout the king's provinces had gathered together to defend their lives. They gained relief from all their enemies, killing seventy-five thousand of those who hated them. But they did not take any plunder.

Esth.9.17

The next day, the fourteenth, they took it easy and celebrated with much food and laughter.

Esth.9.17

This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

Esth.9.17

This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth of the month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Esth.9.17

Throughout the provinces this was done on March 7. Then on the following day they rested, celebrating their victory with a day of feasting and gladness.

Esth.9.18

But in Susa, since the Jews had banded together on both the thirteenth and fourteenth days, they made the fifteenth their holiday for laughing and feasting.

Esth.9.18

The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

Esth.9.18

But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

Esth.9.18

But the Jews at Susa continued killing their enemies on the second day also, and then rested on the third day, making that their day of feasting and gladness.

Esth.9.19

(This accounts for why Jews living out in the country in the rural villages remember the fourteenth day of Adar for celebration, their day for parties and the exchange of gifts.) [JC]

Esth.9.19

That is why rural Jews-those living in villages-observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

Esth.9.19

Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.

Esth.9.19

So to this day, rural Jews living in unwalled villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday in late winter, when they rejoice and send gifts to each other.

Esth.9.20

Mordecai wrote all this down and sent copies to all the Jews in all King Xerxes' provinces, regardless of distance,

Esth.9.20

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far,

Esth.9.20

And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus,

Esth.9.20

Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the king's provinces,

Esth.9.21

calling for an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar

Esth.9.21

to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar

Esth.9.21

to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar,

Esth.9.21

encouraging them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days.

Esth.9.22

as the occasion when Jews got relief from their enemies, the month in which their sorrow turned to joy, mourning somersaulted into a holiday for parties and fun and laughter, the sending and receiving of presents and of giving gifts to the poor.

Esth.9.22

as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Esth.9.22

as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor.

Esth.9.22

He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts to each other and to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy.

Esth.9.23

And they did it. What started then became a tradition, continuing the practice of what Mordecai had written to them. [JC]

Esth.9.23

So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them.

Esth.9.23

So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them,

Esth.9.23

So the Jews adopted Mordecai's suggestion and began this annual custom.

Esth.9.24

Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the archenemy of all Jews, had schemed to destroy all Jews. He had cast the pur (the lot) to throw them into a panic and destroy them.

Esth.9.24

For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction.

Esth.9.24

because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them;

Esth.9.24

Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews, had plotted to crush and destroy them on the day and month determined by casting lots (the lots were called purim).

Esth.9.25

But when Queen Esther intervened with the king, he gave written orders that the evil scheme that Haman had worked out should boomerang back on his own head. He and his sons were hanged on the gallows.

Esth.9.25

But when the plot came to the king's attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Esth.9.25

but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

Esth.9.25

But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman's evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were hanged on the gallows.

Esth.9.26

That's why these days are called "Purim," from the word pur or "lot." Therefore, because of everything written in this letter and because of all that they had been through,

Esth.9.26

(Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them,

Esth.9.26

So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them,

Esth.9.26

(That is why this celebration is called Purim, because it is the ancient word for casting lots.) So because of Mordecai's letter and because of what they had experienced,

Esth.9.27

the Jews agreed to continue. It became a tradition for them, their children, and all future converts to remember these two days every year on the specified dates set down in the letter.

Esth.9.27

the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed.

Esth.9.27

the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time,

Esth.9.27

the Jews throughout the realm agreed to inaugurate this tradition and to pass it on to their descendants and to all who became Jews. They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year.

Esth.9.28

These days are to be remembered and kept by every single generation, every last family, every province and city. These days of Purim must never be neglected among the Jews; the memory of them must never die out among their descendants.

Esth.9.28

These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.

Esth.9.28

that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.

Esth.9.28

These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. These days would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.

Esth.9.29

Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, backed Mordecai the Jew, using her full queenly authority in this second Purim letter

Esth.9.29

So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.

Esth.9.29

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim.

Esth.9.29

Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote another letter putting the queen's full authority behind Mordecai's letter to establish the Festival of Purim.

Esth.9.30

to endorse and ratify what he wrote. Calming and reassuring letters went out to all the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of Xerxes' kingdom

Esth.9.30

And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes-words of goodwill and assurance-

Esth.9.30

And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

Esth.9.30

In addition, letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerxes.

Esth.9.31

to fix these days of Purim their assigned place on the calendar, dates set by Mordecai the Jew--what they had agreed to for themselves and their descendants regarding their fasting and mourning.

Esth.9.31

to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation.

Esth.9.31

to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting.

Esth.9.31

These letters established the Festival of Purim--an annual celebration of these days at the appointed time, decreed by both Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther. (The people decided to observe this festival, just as they had decided for themselves and their descendants to establish the times of fasting and mourning.)

Esth.9.32

Esther's word confirmed the tradition of Purim and was written in the book. W+

Esth.9.32

Esther's decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.

Esth.9.32

So the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book.

Esth.9.32

So the command of Esther confirmed the practices of Purim, and it was all written down in the records.

Esth.10.1

King Xerxes imposed taxes from one end of his empire to the other.

Esth.10.1

King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores.

Esth.10.1

And King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on the land and on the islands of the sea.

Esth.10.1

King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout his empire, even to the distant coastlands.

Esth.10.2

For the rest of it, King Xerxes' extensive accomplishments, along with a detailed account of the brilliance of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, that's all written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia.

Esth.10.2

And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia?

Esth.10.2

Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

Esth.10.2

His great achievements and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Media and Persia.

Esth.10.3

Mordecai the Jew ranked second in command to King Xerxes. He was popular among the Jews and greatly respected by them. He worked hard for the good of his people; he cared for the peace and prosperity of his race.

Esth.10.3

Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Esth.10.3

For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

Esth.10.3

Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister, with authority next to that of King Xerxes himself. He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his people and was a friend at the royal court for all of them.