Webemiab returneth, Chap. xiii. and reformeth abuses. 428 and the fingers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. that gave thanks in the house of God, and and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And Maafeiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the fingers fang loud, with Jezrahiah their overfeer. 6 But in all this time was not I at Je rufalem for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7 And I came to Jerufalem, and underflood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in 43 Alfo that day they offered great fac.the courts of the houfe of God. rifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives alfo and the children rejoiced: fo that the joy of Jerufalem was heard even afar off. 8 And it grieved me fore; therefore I caft forth all the household stuff of Tobi ah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleanf And at that time were fome ap-ed the chambers: and thither brought I pointed over the chambers for the treaf-again the vessels of the house of God, with ures, for the offerings, for the first-the meat offering and the frankincenfe. fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into 10 And I perceived that the portions them out of the fields of the cities the of the Levites had not been given them: portions of the law for the priests and for the Levites and the fingers, that did Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests the work, were fled every one to his and for the Levites that waited, field. 45 And both the fingers and the por ters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his fon. 16 For in the days of David and Afaph of old there were chief of the fingers, and fongs of praife and thanksgiving unto God. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and faid, Why is the loufe of God for faken? And I gathered them together, and fet them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn, and the new wine, and the oil, unto the treafuries. 13 And I made treasurers over the treas uries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok 47 And all Ifrael in the days of Zerub- the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: babel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave and next to them was Hanan the fon of the portions of the fingers and the por-Zaccur, the fon of Mattaniah; for they ters, every day his portion: and they were counted faithful, and their office fanctified bol things unto the Levites; was to diftribute unto their brethren. and the Levites fanctified them unto the children of Aaron. CHAP. XIII. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of 1 Separation made from the mixed multi-my God, and for the offices thereof. tude. Nebemiab's return, and reg- 15 In thofe days faw I in Judah fome ulations. treading wine preffes on the fabbath, ON that day they read in the book of and bringing in fheaves, and lading affes Mofes in the audience of the people; and as alfo wine, grapes, and figs, and all therein was found written that the Am-manner of burdens, which they brought monite and the Moabite fhould not come into Jerufalem on the fabbath day: and into the congregation of God forever; I teftified against them in the day wherein 2 Because they met not the children they fold victuals of Ifrael with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit, our God turned the curfe into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pafs, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Ifrael all the mixed multitude. And before this, Eliahib the Brieft, having the oversight of the chamber of the honfe of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: 5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincenfe, and the veffels and the tithes of the corn, the new wine and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, 16 There dwelt men of Tyre alfo therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and fold on the fabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the fabbath day? 18 Didnot yourfathers thus? and. Didnot our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Ifrael by profaning the fabbath. 19 And it came to pafs, that when the gates of Jerufalem began to be dark before the fabbath, I commanded that the gates fhould be fhut, and charged that they thould not be opened till after the fabbath: 124 The magnificent feafts : ESTHER. of Ahasuerus. fabbath and some of my fervants fet I your daughters unto their fons, nor take at the gates, that there should no burden their daughters unto your fons, or for be brought in on the fabbath day. yourfelves. 20. So the merchants and fellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerufalem once or twice, 21 Then I teftified against them, and faid unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do fo again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the fabbath. 26 Did not Solomon king of Ifrael fin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Ifrael. nevertheless, even him did butlandith women cause to fin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to tranfgrefs against our God in marrying ftrange wives 22 And I commanded the Levites that they fhould cleanse themselves, and that they fhould come and keep the gates, to 28 And one of the fons of Joiada, the fanctify the fabbath day. Remember me, fon of Eliashib the high prieff, was fon O my God,concerning this alfo, and fpare in law to Sanballat the Horonite: thereme according to thegreatnefsof thy mercy.fore I chafed him from me. 28 In thole days alfo faw I Jews that 29 Remember them. O my God, behad married wives of Afhdod, of Ammon, cause they have defiled the priesthood, and of Moab : and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites 24 And their children spake half in the fpeech of Afhdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. 25 And I contended with them, and curfed them, and fmote certain of them, and plucked off their hair,and made them fwear by God, saying, Ye shall not give 30 Thus cleanfed I them from al ftrangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business ; 31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Res member me, O my God, for good. THE BOOK OF ESTHER. CHAP. I. 1 Abafuerus maketh royal feasts. 10 Vafbti's difobedience, 13 and punishment. NOW it came to pafs in the days of Ahafuerus, (this is Ahafuerus which reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and feven and twenty provinces,) another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the ftate of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for fo the king had appointed to all the officers of his houfe, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. 9 Allo Vashti the queen made a feaft for the women in the royal house which belonged to the king Ahafuerus. 2 That in thofe days, when the king Ahafuerus fat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, 10 On the feventh day, when the heart 8 In the third year of his reign, he of the king was merry with wine, he made a feast unto all his princes and his commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, fervants: the power of Perfia and Media, | Bigtha, and Abagtha,Zethar,and Carcas, the nobles and princes of the provinces, the feven chamberlains that ferved in the being before him: prefence of Ahasuerus the king, 4 When he fhewed the riches of his glorious kingdom, and the honour of his excellent majefty, many days, even an hundred and tourfcore days. 11 To bring Vafhti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to fhew the people and the princes her beauty: for the was fair to look on. 5 And when thefe days were expired, 12 But the queen Vafhti refused to come the king made a feaft unto all the peo-at the king's commandment by bis cham. ple that were prefent in Shufhan the berlains: therefore was the king very palace, both unto great and small, feven wroth, and his anger burned in him. days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace 13 Then the king faid to the wife men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 6 Where were white, green, and blue, bangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to filver rings and pillars of 14 And the next unto him was Carmarble; the beds were of gold and fil-fhena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarthish, Me ver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, res, Marfena, and Memucan, the feven and white, and black, marble. princes of Perfia and Media, which faw the king's face, and which fat the first in the kingdom,) 7 And they gave them drink in veffels of gold, (the veffels being diverfe one from 15 What A queen to be clofen. Chap. ii. Mordecai and Eftber's affinity. 425 15 What fhall we do unto the queen | And the thing pleased the king; and he Vahti according to law, becaufe the did fo hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahafuerus by the chamberlains? 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vahti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahafuerus. 5 Norwin Shuhan the palace there was a certain Jew, whofe name was Mordecai, the fon of Jair, the fon of Shimei, : the fon of Kifh, a Benjamite : 17 For this deed of the queen fhall come abroad unto all women, fo that they fhall defpife their husbands in their eyes, when it thall be reported. The king Ahafuerus commanded Vahti the queen to be brought in before him, but the came not. 6 Who had been carried away from Jerufalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is Efther, his uncle's daughter: for the had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fajr and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 18 Likewife fhall the ladies of Perfia 8 So it came to pafs, when the king's and Media fay this day unto all the king's commandment and his decree was heard, princes, which have heard of the deed of and when many maidens were gathered the queen. Thus fhall there arife too inuch contempt and wrath. together unto Shuthan the palace, to the cuftody of Hegai, that Efther was 19 If it please the king let there go brought also unto the king's house, to the a royal commandment from him, and cuftody of Hegai, keeper of the women. let it be written among the laws of the 9 And the maiden pleafed him, and the Perfians and the Medes, that it be not obtained kindness of him; and he speedaltered, That Vashti come no more be-ily gave her her things for purification, fore king Ahafuerus; and let the king give her royal eftate unto another that is better than the. 20 And when the king's decree which he fhall make fhall be published through. out all his empire (for it is great) all the wives fhall give to their husbands honour both to great and fmall. 21 And the faying pleafed the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: with fuch things as belonged to her, and feven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's houfe: and he preferred her and her maids unto the beft place of the houfe of the women: 10 Efther had not thewed her people nor her kindred; for Mordecai had charged her that the fhould not shew 1. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's houfe, to know how Efther did, and what should become of her. 22 For be fent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province 12 Now when every maid's turn was according to the writing thereof, and come to go in to king Ahafuerus, after to every people after their language, that the had been twelve months accordthat every man fhould bear rule in his ing to the manner of the women, (for fo own houfe, and that it should be pub-were the days of their purifications aclished according to the language of every people. CHAP. II. complished, to wit, fix months with oil of myrrh, and fix months with fweet odours, and with other things for the parifying of the women.) 1 Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to be chofen. 15 Efther is elected 13 Then thus came very maiden unto AFTER these things, when the wrath the king; whatfoever the deûred was giv of king Ahafuerus was appeafed, he re-en her to go with her out of the house of membered Vafhti, and what he had done, the women into the king's house. and what was decreed against her. Then faid the king's fervants that miniftered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins fought for the king: 14 In the evening he went, and on the morrow the returned into the fecond houfe of the women. to the custody of Shaahgaz the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: the came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that the were called by name. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shuthan the palace, to the houfe of the women, unto the cuf 15 Now when the turn of Efther, the tody of Hege the king's chamberlain, daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mor keeper of the women; and let their decai, who had taken her for his daugh things for purification be given them: ter, was come to go in unto the king, 4 And let the maiden which pleaf- the required nothing but what Hegai the eth the king be queen instead of Vahti. king's chamberlain, the keeper of the 3 F women, 426 Efiber chofen queen. ESTHER. Haman's rage against the Jews 6 And he thought fcorn to lay hands women appointed. And Efther obtained cai bowed not, nor did him reverence, favour in the fight of all them that look-then was Haman full of wrath. ed upon her. 16 So Efther was taken unto king Ahaf-on Mordecai alone: for they had fhewed perus, into his houfe royal in the tenth him the people of Mordecai: wherefore month, which is the month Tebeth, in Haman fought to deftroy all the Jews the feventh year of his reign. that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahafuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 17 And the king loved Either above all the women, and the obtained grace and favour in his fight more than all the vir gins; fo that he fet the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vahti. 18 Then the king made a great feaft un to all his princes and his fervants, even Efther's feaft; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the ftate of the king. 7 In the first month, that is, the month Nifan, in the twelfth year of king Ahaf uerus, 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 faid unto king Ahafue rus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and difperfed among the people, 19 And when the virgins were gathered in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and together the fecond time, then Mordecai their laws are diverfe from all people; fat in the king's gate. neither keep they the king's laws there20 Efther had not yet fhewed her kin-fore it is not for the king's profit to fufdred nor her people; as Mordecai had fer them. charged her for Efther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when the was brought up with him. : 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be deftroyed and I will pay ten thousand talents of filver to the 21 In thofe days, while Mordecai fat hands of thofe that have the charge of in the king's gate, two of the king's the bufinefs, to bring it into the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Terefh, of treafuries. those which kept the door, were wroth, 10 And the king took his ring from and fought to lay hand on the king A-his hand, and gave it unto Haman the hafuerus. fon of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai who told it unto Efther the queen': and Efther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. 11 And the king faid unto Haman, The filver is given to thee, the people alfo, to do with them as it feemeth good to thee. 12 Then were the king's fcribes called on the thirteenth day of the firft mouth, and there was written according to all 23 And when inquifition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles! that Haman had commanded unto the before the king. CHAP. III. Haman advanced by the king,and defpif ed by Mordecai, jeeketb revenge upon all the Jews. AFTER these things did king Ahafuerus promote Haman the fon of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and fet his feat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king's fervants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman for the king had fo commanded, concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rules of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahafuerus was it written and fealed with the king's ring. 15 And the letters were fent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to caufe to perith, 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 fpoil of them for a prey. 3 Then the king's fervants, which were in the king's gate, faid unto Mordecai, 14 The copy of the writing for a comWhy tranfgreffeft thou the king's commandment to be given in every province was publied unto all people, that they bould be ready against that day. mandment? 4 Now it came to pafs, when they fpake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Hainan, to fee whether Mordecai's matters would itand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. 15 The pofts went out, being haftened by the king's command nient, dad the decree was given in Shufian the palace. And the king and Haman lat down to drink; but the city Shushan was And when Haman faw that Morde-perplexed. CHAP. Mordecai and the Jews mourn. CHAP. IV. 1 Mordecai and the Jews mourn. 15 Chap. iv. v. Ether appointeih a jaft. WHEN Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on fackcloth with ahes, and went out into the midft of the city, and cried with a loud and bitter cry; 15 Then Efther bade them return Mordecai this anjwer, : 2 And came even before the king's 16 Go,gather together all the Jews that gate: for none might enter into the king's are prefent in Shushan,and fast ye for me, gate clothed with fackcloth. and neither eat nor drink three days, 3 And in every province, whither foever night or day I alfo and my maidens will the king's commandment and his decree faft likewife; and fo will I go in unto the same, there was great mourning among king, which is not according to the law: the Jews, and falling, and weeping, and and if I perifh, I perish. wailing; and many lay in fackcloth and 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did ashes according to all that Either had com4 So Elher's maids and her chamber-manded him. lains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and the fent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his fackcloth from him: but he received it not. CHAP. V. Efther, obtaining the king's favour,invi. terb the king and Haman to a banquet. NOW it came to país on the third day, that Efther put on ber royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's houfe, over against the king's houfe; and the king fat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the 5 Then called Ether for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. Loufe. 6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was betore the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the fum of the money that Haman had promifed to pay to the king's treafuries for the Jews, to destroy thein. 8 Alfo he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shufhan to deftroy them, to fhew it unto Ether, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that the fhould go in unto the king, to make fupplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and told Efther the words of Mordecai. 10 Again Efther pake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king's fervants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know,that whofoever, whether man or woman, thall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except fuch to whom the king fhall hold out the golden fceptre that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king thefe thirty days. 2 And it was fo, when the king saw Esther the queen ftanding in the court, bat the obtained favour in his fight and the king held out to Efther the golden fceptre that was in his hand. So Efther drew near, and touched the top of the fceptre. 3 Then faid the king unto her, What wilt thou,queen Efther? and,What is thy request? It fhall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 4 And Esther antwered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 Then the king faid, Caufe Haman to make hafte: that he may do as Efther hath faid. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Efther had prepared. 6 And the king faid unto Efther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition ? and it fhall be granted thee: and, What thy request even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Efther, and faid, My petition and my request is '; 8 If I have found favour in the fight of the king, and if it pleafe the king to graut my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I fhall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's king hath faid. words. 9 Then went Haman forth that day 13 Then Mordecai commanded to an-joyful and with a glad heart: but when fwer Efther, Think not with thy felf that Haman faw Mordecai in the king's thou halt efcape in the king's houfe, gate, that he food not up nor moved for more than all the Jews. him, he was full of indignation again. 14 For if thou altogether holdeft thy | Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, |