² The Jews assembled in their cities^(A) in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them,^(B) because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. ³ And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews,^(C) because fear of Mordecai had seized them.^{(D) 4} Mordecai^(E) was prominent^(F) in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.^(G)