The Jews Defend Themselves

1

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.

2

In each of the provinces of King Xerxes, the Jews assembled in their cities to attack those who sought to harm them. No man could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen upon all peoples.

3

And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen upon them.

4

For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.

5

The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them.

6

In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,

7

including Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,

8

Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,

9

Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha.

10

They killed these ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

11

On that day the number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king,

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