Esther

Royal Edict Supporting the Jews

The text of the letter read as follows: “The great King Ahasuerus to the satraps, governors, and all our loyal subjects in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia: Greetings!

The more some men are honored through the generosity of their patrons, the prouder they become.

Gloating in their power and incapable of responsibility, they seek to harm our subjects and even plot against their benefactors.

They push gratitude out of the human heart. Led astray by the arrogant boasts of men who know nothing of goodness, they believe they will escape the justice of the all-seeing God.

It often happens that those in authority, influenced by friends responsible for public affairs, become partly responsible for innocent bloodshed and are involved in causing unavoidable misfortune.

Even well-meaning rulers are misled by the deception of the corrupt.

These bad practices from the past, as shown by historical records, have carried over into today through the crimes committed by untrustworthy officials.

For the future, however, we will aim to make our kingdom a peaceful realm for all by

adopting new policies and handling all issues that come to our attention with the utmost fairness.

For example, Haman, son of Hammedatha, a Macedonian unfamiliar with Persian blood and lacking our kindness, was treated hospitably by us.

Enjoying the goodwill we feel toward every nation, he was even called our “father,” before whom, as second in rank to the king, everyone bowed down.

But his arrogance went to his head, and he plotted to take away our kingdom and our lives.

He plotted to destroy Mordecai, our savior and steadfast benefactor, and Esther, our blameless royal partner, along with their entire race.

In that way, he hoped to make us defenseless and facilitate the transfer of power from the Persians to the Macedonians.

We find, however, that the Jews condemned to extinction by this cursed man are not villains but are led by the most just of laws.

They are, in fact, children of the Most High—the great living God—who has made our kingdom prosperous for us and our ancestors.

You should, therefore, ignore the letter sent by Haman, son of Hammedatha,

for the man himself, along with his entire family, has been hanged at the gate of Susa. Thus, God swiftly rules over all and delivers the punishment he deserves.

Post a copy of this letter in every public place, and allow the Jews the freedom to live by their laws,

and come to their aid during their time of trial against those who plan to attack them on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar.

For God, who rules over all, has turned this day from a time of destruction into a day of joy for his chosen people.

Therefore, you should celebrate this memorable day with all the rejoicing among your designated feasts,

so that now and in the future, it may serve as a celebration of salvation for us and the loyal Persians, and as a reminder of destruction for those who plot against us.

Every city and country, without exception, that fails to follow this decree shall be ruthlessly destroyed with sword and fire. It will then be left untraveled not only by people but also by beasts and birds.