Additions to Esther 13:1-3

Wycliffe Bible

(In the Greek Esther, verses 1-7 below follow verse 13 of Chapter 3; in the Hebrew Esther, these 7 verses would also follow verse 13 of Chapter 3.)

13 Soothly this was the sampler of the epistle. The greatest king Ahasuerus, from India unto Ethiopia, saith health to the princes and dukes of an hundred and seven and twenty provinces, which princes and dukes be subject/s to his empire. [Of the epistle forsooth this was the sampler. The most king Ahasuerus, from India unto Ethiopia, of an hundred and seven and twenty provinces, to princes and dukes, that to his empire be subject, greeting saith.]

² When I was lord of full many folks, and I had made subject all the world to my lordship, I would not mis-use the greatness of (my) power, but govern my subjects by (or with) mercy and softness, (so) that they, leading their life in silence without any dread, should use peace coveted of (or by) all deadly (or mortal) men. [When to many folks I should command, and all the world had subjected to my commanding, I would not the muchliness of my power mis-use, but with mercy and softness govern the subjects, that, without any dread over-passing the life in silence, they should use the peace desired to all deadly men.]

³ And when I asked of my counsellors, how this might be (ful)filled, one, Haman by name, that (sur)passed other men in wisdom and faithfulness, and was the second after the king, [Me forsooth seeking of my counsellors, how that might be fulfilled, one, that in wisdom and faith other men passed, and was after the king the second, Haman by name,]