So Mordecai left and did exactly what Esther had ordered him.

Addition C

Mordecai and Esther pray for deliverance

Then, calling to mind all the works of the Lord, Mordecai pleaded with the Lord, saying, “Lord, Lord, you are the king who rules over all things. The universe is in your power, and there is no one to stop you when you have resolved to save Israel. You made the heavens and the earth, and everything that is wonderful under heaven. You are Lord of all, and there is no one who will oppose you, Lord. “You know all things. You know, Lord, that it wasn’t out of disrespect, pride, or self-importance that I didn’t bow down before proud Haman. To save Israel, I would have been glad to kiss the soles of his feet. Rather, I did this to avoid setting the honor of any human being above God’s honor. I won’t bow down before anyone except you, my Lord. Nor will I do these things out of pride. “Now, Lord God, King, God of Abraham, spare your people, because the enemy seeks our ruin. They desire to destroy what has been your possession from the beginning. Don’t neglect your people, whom you delivered out of Egypt. Listen to my appeal, and have mercy on the people who are your lot. Turn our mourning into feasting, that we might live and sing praises to your name, Lord. Don’t silence the voice of those who praise you.” And all Israel cried out with all their might, for death was staring right at them. Queen Esther, overcome by this contest with death, turned to the Lord for protection. She took off her royal garments and put on mourning clothes. Instead of the finest spices, she smeared her head and body with ashes and dung, and humbled herself. Each place she had once joyfully beautified, she now covered with her tangled hair. Then she begged the Lord God of Israel: “My Lord, you alone are our king. Help me! I have no one to help me but you, and I am in great danger now. From my birth, Lord, I have heard how you chose Israel from among the rest of the nations, and our fathers from their ancestors, to be an everlasting inheritance. I have heard how you did for them all that you had promised. But now we have sinned before you, and you have delivered us into the power of our enemies because we worshipped their gods. You are just, Lord. Yet the enemies weren’t satisfied with our bitter slavery, so they shook hands with their idols in partnership. They plan to set aside the promises you made, to rob you of your inheritance, to silence those who praise you, and to stamp out the honor of your temple and your altar. They want to open the mouths of the nations to praise the wonderful deeds of useless idols so that a human king might be honored forever. “Don’t surrender your scepter, Lord, to things that don’t exist. Don’t let them mock our downfall. Instead, turn their scheme against them and make an example of the one who started this against us. Remember us, Lord, and reveal yourself in the time of our distress. Give me courage, king of the gods and ruler of every authority. When I speak, let my words be persuasive before the lion, and turn the king’s heart to hatred toward the one who is fighting against us, to bring his life to an end along with those who agree with him. Deliver us by your actions, and help me, I who am alone and have no one except you, Lord. “You know all things. You know that I hate the honor of those who don’t follow your Law. I detest sharing the bed of this uncircumcised king or indeed of any foreigner. You know my trouble: I hate the crown that is on my head when I appear in public. I despise it as I would a menstrual rag, and I don’t wear it when I am in private. I, your servant, didn’t dine at Haman’s table. Nor did I honor the king’s banquet or drink wine that had been offered to the gods. From the day of my crowning until now, your servant hasn’t had any joy except in you, Lord, God of Abraham. All-powerful God, listen to the voice of those who despair, and deliver us from the hands of those who do wrong, and deliver me from my fear!”

Addition D

Esther appears before the king

On the third day, when she had finished praying, she removed her mourning clothes and put on her royal robes. Calling on the all-seeing God and savior, she appeared in full view of the court. She took along with her two female servants, delicately leaning on the one, while the other followed behind, carrying her train. She was blushing in the full bloom of her beauty, and her face was delightfully cheerful, but her heart was tense with fear. When she had passed through all the doors, she stood in the presence of the king. He was seated on his royal throne, clothed in all his majesty—all in gold and precious stones—and was terrifying. He lifted his face, which blazed gloriously, about to explode in anger, and looked at her. The queen collapsed. Her color turned pale, and she fell face forward onto the female servant who was walking ahead of her. Then God changed the king’s spirit to tenderness. He leaped anxiously from his throne, and took her up in his arms until she was calm. He tried to comfort her with reassuring words, saying to her: “What is it, Esther? I’m your brother. Take heart! You won’t die, for the order only holds for ordinary people. Come with me!” He then lifted his gold scepter and placed it on her neck. He embraced her and said: “Speak to me.” She said to him, “I saw you, Master, as if you were one of God’s angels, and my heart was struck with terror at the sight of your glory. You inspire awe, Master, and your face is full of divine grace.” But while she was speaking, she collapsed again. The king was distressed, and all his servants tried to comfort her.

throughout Artaxerxes’ entire kingdom, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).

Addition E

Artaxerxes’ second decree

Written below is a copy of the letter: The Great King Artaxerxes writes to the governors in the one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia, and to those who are loyal to us. Greetings! Many people who are greatly honored, owing to the immense generosity of their benefactors, become overly ambitious. Not only do they seek to harm our subjects, but they even attempt to scheme against their own benefactors since they are unable to manage their pride. Not only do they fail to exhibit gratitude among people, but encouraged by the boasts of people who know nothing of goodness, they even suppose they will escape the judgment of the God who sees all. Often, many people in positions of authority become accessories to the shedding of innocent blood because of the influence of friends they trusted to manage their affairs. They suffer terrible misfortunes as a result of the cruel lies of those who take advantage of the innocent goodwill of rulers. Now this can be seen, not so much from older accounts that we have inherited but from what is right before your eyes. Consider the ungodly things that have been done as a result of the corruption of those not worthy to hold power. But looking to the future, we will make the kingdom peaceful and secure for all people, adopting changes and settling those matters that come to our attention with a fair reply. As for Haman, Hammedatha’s son, a Macedonian, he was not Persian, and was far removed from us in kindness. Yet we warmly welcomed him. He gained the goodwill that we have for every nation to such an extent that he was publicly proclaimed our father. All worshipped him as the person second only to the royal throne. But when he could no longer hold his pride in check, he made it his business to rob us of our leadership and our life. With lies and tricks he called for the destruction of Mordecai, our savior and constant benefactor, and Esther, our innocent partner in the kingdom, together with their whole nation. He thought that, by these methods, he could render us helpless and turn the Persian Empire over to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews, whom this accursed man wanted to destroy, are not criminals but are governed by just laws. They are children of the most high, most great, living God, who has guided the kingdom on the best course for us and for our ancestors. You would do well, therefore, not to act on the letters sent by Haman, Hammedatha’s son. Haman, who devised these things, has been impaled at the gates of Susa together with his entire household. The God who holds power over all things swiftly passed this fair judgment on him. And you should publish a copy of this letter in every place for all to see, to allow the Jews to live by their own customs, and to assist them so that they can defend themselves against their attackers in the time of distress, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar. God, who rules over all things, has made this a joyous day for his chosen line rather than one of destruction. As for you, celebrate it with feasting as a special holiday among your festivals so that it will be for us, and for all Persians of goodwill, a memorial of deliverance, both now and in the future. But for those who plot against us, it will be a memorial of destruction. Any city or region, without exception, that does not act accordingly will be completely destroyed by fire and spear. This city will be made uninhabitable not only to humans but also to wild animals and birds for all time.