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“1 ¶ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of
Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the
princes that [were] with him. 2 And all the king’s servants, that [were]
in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so
commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him]
reverence. 3 Then the king’s servants, which [were] in the king’s gate,
said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? 4 Now
it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not
unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would
stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew. 5 And when Haman saw
that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of
wrath. 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they
had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy
all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus,
[even] the people of Mordecai.”
“7 ¶ In 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. 8 And Haman said unto 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] diverse from all
people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it [is] not for the
king’s profit to suffer them. 9 If it 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. 10 And the king took his ring
from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite,
the Jews’ enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver [is] given
to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 12
Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first
month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded
unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every
province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according
to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in
the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s
ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s
provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both
young and old, little children and women, in one day, [even] upon the
thirteenth [day] of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and [to
take] the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a
commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people,
that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being
hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan
the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city
Shushan was perplexed.” (Esther 3:1-15 AV)
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