Esther 3:1-6

Modern English Version

Haman Plots to Destroy the Jews

3 After these things King Ahasuerus praised Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and promoted him, and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. ² All the king’s servants, when they were at the king’s gate, bowed or paid homage to Haman since the king had commanded it. Mordecai, however, never bowed or paid homage.

³ So the king’s servants tending the king’s gate said to Mordecai, “Why are you transgressing the king’s commandment?” ⁴ Though they spoke to him daily, he never listened to them, so they reported it to Haman to see if the words of Mordecai would stand, for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

⁵ When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed nor paid him homage, he was filled with rage. ⁶ But he disdained to lay hands on only Mordecai, since they had told him of the people of Mordecai. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.