Esther 8

The king gave Haman’s estate to Esther and his signet ring to Mordecai. Since the first decree could not be revoked, the king authorized Mordecai to write a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves; the Jews had light, gladness, and joy.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.	That same day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her.
2	And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.	The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.
3	And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.	Esther again spoke to the king. She fell at his feet and wept, pleading with him to avert the evil plan of Haman the Agagite and the plot he had devised against the Jews.
4	Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,	The king held out the golden scepter to Esther, and Esther rose and stood before the king.
5	And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:	She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and if it seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews throughout all the king's provinces.
6	For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?	For how can I endure to see the calamity that is coming to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my family?"
7	Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand on the Jews.	King Ahasuerus replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "See, I have given Esther the estate of Haman. They have hanged him on the gallows because he stretched out his hand against the Jews.
8	Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.	Now you may write in the king's name whatever seems good to you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the king's signet ring, for a decree written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked."
9	Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.	The royal scribes were summoned at that time — it was the third month, the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day. Everything Mordecai commanded was written to the Jews and to the lieutenants, governors, and officials of the provinces from India to Ethiopia — 127 provinces — to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, and also to the Jews in their own script and language.
10	And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:	He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed the letters with the king's signet ring. He sent the letters by couriers on horseback — riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries —
11	Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,	Granting the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate any armed force of any people or province that might attack them, their children and women, and to plunder the property of their enemies,
12	Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.	All on a single day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus — on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
13	The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.	A copy of the written decree was to be issued as law in every province, proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to take revenge on their enemies.
14	So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.	The couriers riding on mules and camels went out urgently, pressed on by the king's command. And the decree was issued in the citadel of Shushan.
15	And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.	Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a large golden crown and a garment of fine linen and purple, and the city of Shushan shouted and rejoiced.
16	The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.	For the Jews there was light and gladness, joy and honor.
17	And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.	In every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. And many of the peoples of the land declared themselves Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen on them.