Esther 8:11-9:5

New International Version

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)

9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,^(N) the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand^(O) over those who hated them.^{(P) 2} The Jews assembled in their cities^(Q) in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them,^(R) 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,^(S) because fear of Mordecai had seized them.^{(T) 4} Mordecai^(U) was prominent^(V) in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.^(W)

⁵ The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them,^(X) and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.