AddEsth 16:1
The great king Artexerxes unto the princes and governors of
an hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto
Ethiopia, and unto all our faithful subjects, greeting.

AddEsth 16:2
Many, the more often they are honoured with the great bounty
of their gracious princes, the more proud they are waxen,

AddEsth 16:3
And endeavour to hurt not our subjects only, but not being
able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practise also against
those that do them good:

AddEsth 16:4
And take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also
lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons, that were
never good, they think to escape the justice of God, that seeth
all things and hateth evil.

AddEsth 16:5
Oftentimes also fair speech of those, that are put in trust
to manage their friends' affairs, hath caused many that are in
authority to be partakers of innocent blood, and hath enwrapped
them in remediless calamities:

AddEsth 16:6
Beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their lewd
disposition the innocency and goodness of princes.

AddEsth 16:7
Now ye may see this, as we have declared, not so much by
ancient histories, as ye may, if ye search what hath been
wickedly done of late through the pestilent behaviour of them
that are unworthily placed in authority.

AddEsth 16:8
And we must take care for the time to come, that our kingdom
may be quiet and peaceable for all men,

AddEsth 16:9
Both by changing our purposes, and always judging things that
are evident with more equal proceeding.

AddEsth 16:10
For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a
stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our
goodness, and as a stranger received of us,

AddEsth 16:11
Had so far forth obtained the favour that we shew toward
every nation, as that he was called our father, and was
continually honoured of all the next person unto the king.

AddEsth 16:12
But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive
us of our kingdom and life:

AddEsth 16:13
Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the
destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and
continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther,
partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation.

AddEsth 16:14
For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of
friends to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the
Macedonians.

AddEsth 16:15
But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath
delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by
most just laws:

AddEsth 16:16
And that they be children of the most high and most mighty,
living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our
progenitors in the most excellent manner.

AddEsth 16:17
Wherefore ye shall do well not to put in execution the
letters sent unto you by Aman the son of Amadatha.

AddEsth 16:18
For he that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the
gates of Susa with all his family: God, who ruleth all things,
speedily rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts.

AddEsth 16:19
Therefore ye shall publish the copy of this letter in all
places, that the Jews may freely live after their own laws.

AddEsth 16:20
And ye shall aid them, that even the same day, being the
thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on
them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them.

AddEsth 16:21
For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day,
wherein the chosen people should have perished.

AddEsth 16:22
Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high
day with all feasting:

AddEsth 16:23
That both now and hereafter there may be safety to us and the
well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against
us a memorial of destruction.

AddEsth 16:24
Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not
do according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy
with fire and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for
men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever.