Esther 3:1-6

American Standard Version

3 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. ² And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed down, and did reverence to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence. ³ Then the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? ⁴ Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s ^[a]matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. ⁵ And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. ⁶ But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.