Esther 13 Catholic Public Domain Version

131 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. 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. 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, 7 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.” 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.” 18 Likewise, all Israel cried out to the Lord with the same intention and supplication because certain death was hanging over them.