¹¹ The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children,^[a] and to plunder^(A) the property of their enemies. ¹² The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.^{(B) 13} A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day^(C) to avenge themselves on their enemies.

¹⁴ The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.^(D)

The Triumph of the Jews

¹⁵ When Mordecai^(E) left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold^(F) and a purple robe of fine linen.^(G) And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.^{(H) 16} For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy,^(I) gladness and honor.^{(J) 17} In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy^(K) and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear^(L) of the Jews had seized them.^(M)