^2 (A)The Jews assembled in their cities throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus to ^[a]attack those who sought ^[b]to harm them; and no one could stand against them, ^(B)because the dread of them had fallen on all the peoples. ³ Even all the officials of the provinces, ^(C)the satraps, the governors, and those who were doing the king’s business were supporting the Jews, because the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them. ⁴ For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and the news about him spread throughout the provinces; for the man Mordecai ^(D)became greater and greater.