Est 13

A copy of a letter sent by Haman to destroy the Jews.

1 And this was the text of the letter:

“Artaxerxes, the great king from India all the way to Ethiopia, to the leaders and generals of the one hundred twenty-seven provinces, which are subject to his authority, greetings. ^{▼▼6:1Principibus and ducibus each refers to some type of leader. Principibus is often translated as princes, but since it does not actually refer to sons of the king, the more general term of leaders is a better fit. Ducibus in this context, when paired with principibus, probably refers to some type of military leader, a general. Since principibus is listed first, these leaders probably had authority over the ducibus generals.(Conte)} 2 Although I have reigned over many nations and subjugated the whole world under my realm, I was by no means willing to abuse the greatness of this power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and leniency, so that they would settle into a quiet life, apart from any terror, and delight in peace, as all mortals would choose to do. ^{▼▼6:2Transigentes can have a wide variety of different meanings, depending on the context. Optata means to choose or select or desire or wish for something. Here the translation “delight in peace” takes into account the context as well as the Douay-Rheims translation “enjoy peace.”(Conte)} 3 Yet, in asking my counselors how this might be able to be accomplished, one who excelled the others in wisdom and fidelity, and who was second after the king, named Haman, 4 explained to me that there was a people, scattered throughout the whole world, that used strange laws, and, acting against the customs of all peoples, despised the commandments of kings and violated the harmony of all nations with their dissension.

5 When we had learned this, seeing one nation rebellious against all mankind, having overthrown the usefulness of laws, and going against our orders, and disturbing the peace and harmony of the provinces subject to us, 6 we commanded that whomever Haman, who is chief over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honor in the place of a father, whomever he would point out should be destroyed by their enemies, with their wives and children, and that no one may take pity on them, on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year, so that these guilty men, all on one day, may go down to the underworld, restoring to our empire the peace that they had disturbed.” ^{▼▼6:7The word nefarii refers to something that is criminal, not merely against the written law, but also very offensive. Inferos is sometimes translated as Hell, but it can also refer merely to death or to one’s state of being after death. It has a more general meaning than Hell, and so it should only be translated as Hell when indicated by the context.(Conte)}

8 Now Mordecai beseeched the Lord, remembering all his works, 9 and he said, “O Lord, Lord, almighty King, truly all things are possible for you, and there is no one who is able to resist your will, if you would determine to save Israel. 10 You have created heaven and earth, and everything that is contained under the cycle of heaven. 11 You are Lord of all, and there is no one who can resist your majesty. 12 You know everything, and you know that it was not out of arrogance or indignation or some desire for glory that I did this, so that I refused to adore the very proud Haman. 13 (For I was freely prepared, for the sake of the salvation of Israel, to have willingly kissed even the footsteps of his feet.) 14 But I feared, lest I should transfer the honor of my God to a man, and lest I should adore anyone except my God. 15 And now Lord, King, God of Abraham, may you have mercy on your people because our enemies want to destroy us and to erase your inheritance. 16 Do not despise your portion, which you have redeemed for yourself out of Egypt. 17 Listen to my supplication, and be gracious to your lot and your token, and change our sorrow into gladness, so that, in living, we may praise your name, Lord; and do not close the mouths of those who sing to you.” ^{▼▼7:29The phrase “sorti et funiculo tuo” literally means “your lot and string.” Funiculo is a thin rope or a cord or string. The word is used to refer to an ancient practice of using a string in a similar way to the casting of lots, i.e. to make a decision, often about a future event.(Conte)}

18 Likewise, all Israel cried out to the Lord with the same intention and supplication because certain death was hanging over them.