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+Project Gutenberg EBook The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 19: Esther
+
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+Title: The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Book 19: Esther
+       The Challoner Revision
+
+Release Date: June, 2005  [EBook #8319]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on July 4, 2003]
+
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ASCII
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+
+
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE BIBLE, DOUAY-RHEIMS, BOOK 19***
+
+
+
+
+This eBook was produced by David Widger
+from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgia
+and Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome.
+
+
+
+
+
+THE HOLY BIBLE
+
+
+
+
+Translated from the Latin Vulgate
+
+
+Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek,
+and Other Editions in Divers Languages
+
+
+THE OLD TESTAMENT
+First Published by the English College at Douay
+A.D. 1609 & 1610
+
+and
+
+THE NEW TESTAMENT
+First Published by the English College at Rheims
+A.D. 1582
+
+
+With Annotations
+
+
+The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with
+the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner
+A.D. 1749-1752
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF ESTHER
+
+This Book takes its name from queen Esther, whose history is here
+recorded. The general opinion of almost all commentators on the Holy
+Scriptures makes Mardochai the writer of it: which also may be collected
+below from chap. 9 ver. 20.
+
+
+Esther Chapter 1
+
+King Assuerus maketh a great feast. Queen Vasthi being sent for refuseth
+to come: for which disobedience she is deposed.
+
+1:1. In the days of Assuerus, who reigned from India to Ethiopia over a
+hundred and twenty seven provinces:
+
+1:2. When he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city Susan was the
+capital of his kingdom.
+
+1:3. Now in the third year of his reign he made a great feast for all
+the princes, and for his servants, for the most mighty of the Persians,
+and the nobles of the Medes, and the governors of the provinces in his
+sight,
+
+1:4. That he might shew the riches of the glory of his kingdom, and the
+greatness, and boasting of his power, for a long time, to wit, for a
+hundred and fourscore days.
+
+1:5. And when the days of the feast were expired, he invited all the
+people that were found in Susan, from the greatest to the least: and
+commanded a feast to be made seven days in the court of the garden, and
+of the wood, which was planted by the care and the hand of the king.
+
+1:6. And there were hung up on every side sky coloured, and green, and
+violet hangings, fastened with cords of silk, and of purple, which were
+put into rings of ivory, and were held up with marble pillars. The beds
+also were of gold and silver, placed in order upon a floor paved with
+porphyry and white marble: which was embellished with painting of
+wonderful variety.
+
+1:7. And they that were invited, drank in golden cups, and the meats
+were brought in divers vessels one after another. Wine also in abundance
+and of the best was presented, as was worthy of a king's magnificence.
+
+1:8. Neither was there any one to compel them to drink that were not
+willing, but as the king had appointed, who set over every table one of
+his nobles, that every man might take what he would.
+
+1:9. Also Vasthi the queen made a feast for the women in the palace,
+where king Assuerus was used to dwell.
+
+1:10. Now on the seventh day, when the king was merry, and after very
+much drinking was well warmed with wine, he commanded Mauman, and
+Bazatha, and Harbona, and Bagatha, and Abgatha, and Zethar, and Charcas,
+the seven eunuchs that served in his presence,
+
+1:11. To bring in queen Vasthi before the king, with the crown set upon
+her head, to shew her beauty to all the people and the princes: for she
+was exceeding beautiful.
+
+1:12. But she refused, and would not come at the king's commandment,
+which he had signified to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being
+angry, and inflamed with a very great fury,
+
+1:13. Asked the wise men, who according to the custom of the kings, were
+always near his person, and all he did was by their counsel, who knew
+the laws, and judgments of their forefathers:
+
+1:14. (Now the chief and nearest him were, Charsena, and Sethar, and
+Admatha, and Tharsis, and Mares, and Marsana, and Mamuchan, seven
+princes of the Persians and of the Medes, who saw the face of the king,
+and were used to sit first after him:)
+
+1:15. What sentence ought to pass upon Vasthi the queen, who had refused
+to obey the commandment of king Assuerus, which he had sent to her by
+the eunuchs?
+
+1:16. And Mamuchan answered, in the hearing of the king and the princes:
+Queen Vasthi hath not only injured the king, but also all the people and
+princes that are in all the provinces of king Assuerus.
+
+1:17. For this deed of the queen will go abroad to all women, so that
+they will despise their husbands, and will say: King Assuerus commanded
+that queen Vasthi should come in to him, and she would not.
+
+1:18. And by this example all the wives of the princes of the Persians
+and the Medes will slight the commandments of their husbands: wherefore
+the king's indignation is just.
+
+1:19. If it please thee, let an edict go out from thy presence, and let
+it be written according to the law of the Persians and of the Medes,
+which must not be altered, that Vasthi come in no more to the king, but
+another, that is better than her, be made queen in her place.
+
+1:20. And let this be published through all the provinces of thy empire,
+(which is very wide,) and let all wives, as well of the greater as of
+the lesser, give honour to their husbands.
+
+1:21. His counsel pleased the king, and the princes: and the king did
+according to the counsel of Mamuchan.
+
+1:22. And he sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom, as every
+nation could hear and read, in divers languages and characters, that the
+husbands should be rulers and masters in their houses: and that this
+should be published to every people.
+
+Esther Chapter 2
+
+Esther is advanced to be queen. Mardochai detecteth a plot against the
+king.
+
+2:1. After this, when the wrath of king Assuerus was appeased, he
+remembered Vasthi, and what she had done and what she had suffered:
+
+2:2. And the king's servants and his officers said: Let young women be
+sought for the king, virgins and beautiful,
+
+2:3. And let some persons be sent through all the provinces to look for
+beautiful maidens and virgins: and let them bring them to the city of
+Susan, and put them into the house of the women under the hand of Egeus
+the eunuch, who is the overseer and keeper of the king's women: and let
+them receive women's ornaments, and other things necessary for their
+use.
+
+2:4. And whosoever among them all shall please the king's eyes, let her
+be queen instead of Vasthi. The word pleased the king: and he commanded
+it should be done as they had suggested.
+
+2:5. There was a man in the city of Susan, a Jew, named Mardochai, the
+son of Jair, the son of Semei, the son of Cis, of the race of Jemini,
+
+2:6. Who had been carried away from Jerusalem at the time that
+Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon carried away Jechonias king of Juda,
+
+2:7. And he had brought up his brother's daughter Edissa, who by another
+name was called Esther: now she had lost both her parents: and was
+exceeding fair and beautiful. And her father and mother being dead,
+Mardochai adopted her for his daughter.
+
+2:8. And when the king's ordinance was noised abroad, and according to
+his commandment many beautiful virgins were brought to Susan, and were
+delivered to Egeus the eunuch: Esther also among the rest of the maidens
+was delivered to him to be kept in the number of the women.
+
+2:9. And she pleased him, and found favour in his sight. And he
+commanded the eunuch to hasten the women's ornaments, and to deliver to
+her her part, and seven of the most beautiful maidens of the king's
+house, and to adorn and deck out both her and her waiting maids.
+
+2:10. And she would not tell him her people nor her country. For
+Mardochai had charged her to say nothing at all of that:
+
+2:11. And he walked every day before the court of the house, in which
+the chosen virgins were kept, having a care for Esther's welfare, and
+desiring to know what would befall her.
+
+2:12. Now when every virgin's turn came to go in to the king, after all
+had been done for setting them off to advantage, it was the twelfth
+month: so that for six months they were anointed with oil of myrrh, and
+for other six months they used certain perfumes and sweet spices.
+
+2:13. And when they were going in to the king, whatsoever they asked to
+adorn themselves they received: and being decked out, as it pleased
+them, they passed from the chamber of the women to the king's chamber.
+
+2:14. And she that went in at evening, came out in the morning, and from
+thence she was conducted to the second house, that was under the hand of
+Susagaz the eunuch, who had the charge over the king's concubines:
+neither could she return any more to the king, unless the king desired
+it, and had ordered her by name to come.
+
+2:15. And as the time came orderly about, the day was at hand, when
+Esther, the daughter of Abihail the brother of Mardochai, whom he had
+adopted for his daughter, was to go in to the king. But she sought not
+women's ornaments, but whatsoever Egeus the eunuch the keeper of the
+virgins had a mind, he gave her to adorn her. For she was exceeding
+fair, and her incredible beauty made her appear agreeable and amiable in
+the eyes of all.
+
+2:16. So she was brought to the chamber of king Assuerus the tenth
+month, which is called Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
+
+2:17. And the king loved her more than all the women, and she had favour
+and kindness before him above all the women, and he set the royal crown
+on her head, and made her queen instead of Vasthi.
+
+2:18. And he commanded a magnificent feast to be prepared for all the
+princes, and for his servants, for the marriage and wedding of Esther,
+And he gave rest to all the provinces, and bestowed gifts according to
+princely magnificence.
+
+2:19. And when the virgins were sought the second time, and gathered
+together, Mardochai stayed at the king's gate,
+
+2:20. Neither had Esther as yet declared her country and people,
+according to his commandment. For whatsoever he commanded, Esther
+observed: and she did all things in the same manner as she was wont at
+that time when he brought her up a little one.
+
+2:21. At that time, therefore, when Mardochai abode at the king's gate,
+Bagathan and Thares, two of the king's eunuchs, who were porters, and
+presided in the first entry of the palace, were angry: and they designed
+to rise up against the king, and to kill him.
+
+2:22. And Mardochai had notice of it, and immediately he told it to
+queen Esther: and she to the king in Mardochai's name, who had reported
+the thing unto her.
+
+2:23. It was inquired into, and found out: and they were both hanged on
+a gibbet. And it was put in the histories, and recorded in the
+chronicles before the king.
+
+Esther Chapter 3
+
+Aman, advanced by the king, is offended at Mardochai, and therefore
+procureth the king's decree to destroy the whole nation of the Jews.
+
+3:1. After these things, king Assuerus advanced Aman, the son of
+Amadathi, who was of the race of Agag: and he set his throne above all
+the princes that were with him.
+
+3:2. And all the king's servants, that were at the doors of the palace,
+bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the emperor had commanded
+them, only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him.
+
+3:3. And the king's servants that were chief at the doors of the palace,
+said to him: Why dost thou alone not observe the king's commandment?
+
+3:4. And when they were saying this often, and he would not hearken to
+them, they told Aman, desirous to know whether he would continue in his
+resolution: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
+
+3:5. Now when Aman had heard this, and had proved by experience that
+Mardochai did not bend his knee to him, nor worship him, he was
+exceeding angry.
+
+3:6. And he counted it nothing to lay his hands upon Mardochai alone:
+for he had heard that he was of the nation of the Jews, and he chose
+rather to destroy all the nation of the Jews that were in the kingdom of
+Assuerus.
+
+3:7. In the first month (which is called Nisan) in the twelfth year of
+the reign of Assuerus, the lot was cast into an urn, which in Hebrew is
+called Phur, before Aman, on what day and what month the nation of the
+Jews should be destroyed: and there came out the twelfth month, which is
+called Adar.
+
+3:8. And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people scattered through
+all the provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, that
+use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king's ordinances:
+and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that
+they should grow insolent by impunity.
+
+3:9. If it please thee, decree that they may be destroyed, and I will
+pay ten thousand talents to thy treasurers.
+
+3:10. And the king took the ring that he used, from his own hand, and
+gave it to Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy of
+the Jews,
+
+3:11. And he said to him: As to the money which thou promisest, keep it
+for thyself: and as to the people, do with them as seemeth good to thee.
+
+3:12. And the king's scribes were called in the first month Nisan, on
+the thirteenth day of the same mouth: and they wrote, as Aman had
+commanded, to all the king's lieutenants, and to the judges of the
+provinces, and of divers nations, as every nation could read, and hear
+according to their different languages, in the name of king Assuerus:
+and the letters, sealed with his ring,
+
+3:13. Were sent by the king's messengers to all provinces, to kill and
+destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little children, and women, in
+one day, that is, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is
+called Adar, and to make a spoil of their goods.
+
+3:14. And the contents of the letters were to this effect, that all
+provinces might know and be ready against that day.
+
+3:15. The couriers that were sent made haste to fulfil the king's
+commandment. And immediately the edict was hung up in Susan, the king
+and Aman feasting together, and all the Jews that were in the city
+weeping.
+
+Esther Chapter 4
+
+Mardochai desireth Esther to petition the king for the Jews. They join
+in fasting and prayer.
+
+4:1. Now when Mardochai had heard these things, he rent his garments,
+and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his head and he cried with a
+loud voice in the street in the midst of the city, shewing the anguish
+of his mind.
+
+4:2. And he came lamenting in this manner even to the gate of the
+palace: for no one clothed with sackcloth might enter the king's court.
+
+4:3. And in all provinces, towns, and places, to which the king's cruel
+edict was come, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting,
+wailing, and weeping, many using sackcloth and ashes for their bed.
+
+4:4. Then Esther's maids and her eunuchs went in, and told her. And when
+she heard it she was in a consternation and she sent a garment, to
+clothe him, and to take away the sackcloth: but he would not receive it.
+
+4:5. And she called for Athach the eunuch, whom the king had appointed
+to attend upon her, and she commanded him to go to Mardochai, and learn
+of him why he did this.
+
+4:6. And Athach going out went to Mardochai, who was standing in the
+street of the city, before the palace gate:
+
+4:7. And Mardochai told him all that had happened, how Aman had promised
+to pay money into the king's treasures, to have the Jews destroyed.
+
+4:8. He gave him also a copy of the edict which was hanging up in Susan,
+that he should shew it to the queen, and admonish her to go in to the
+king, and to entreat him for her people.
+
+4:9. And Athach went back and told Esther all that Mardochai had said.
+
+4:10. She answered him, and bade him say to Mardochai:
+
+4:11. All the king's servants, and all the provinces that are under his
+dominion, know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, cometh into the
+king's inner court, who is not called for, is immediately to be put to
+death without any delay: except the king shall hold out the golden
+sceptre to him, in token of clemency, that so he may live. How then can
+I go in to the king, who for these thirty days now have not been called
+unto him?
+
+4:12. And when Mardochai had heard this,
+
+4:13. He sent word to Esther again, saying: Think not that thou mayst
+save thy life only, because thou art in the king's house, more than all
+the Jews:
+
+4:14. For if thou wilt now hold thy peace, the Jews shall be delivered
+by some other occasion: and thou, and thy father's house shall perish.
+And who knoweth whether thou art not therefore come to the kingdom, that
+thou mightest be ready in such a time as this?
+
+4:15. And again Esther sent to Mardochai in these words:
+
+4:16. Go, and gather together all the Jews whom thou shalt find in
+Susan, and pray ye for me. Neither eat nor drink for three days and
+three nights: and I with my handmaids will fast in like manner, and then
+I will go in to the king, against the law, not being called, and expose
+myself to death and to danger.
+
+4:17. So Mardochai went, and did all that Esther had commanded him.
+
+Esther Chapter 5
+
+Esther is graciously received: she inviteth the king and Aman to dinner,
+Aman prepareth a gibbet for Mardochai.
+
+5:1. And on the third day Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in
+the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's hall: now
+he sat upon his throne in the hall of the palace, over against the door
+of the house.
+
+5:2. And when he saw Esther the queen standing, she pleased his eyes,
+and he held out toward her the golden sceptre, which he held in his hand
+and she drew near, and kissed the top of his sceptre.
+
+5:3. And the king said to her: What wilt thou, queen Esther?  what is
+thy request? if thou shouldst even ask one half of the kingdom, it shall
+be given to thee.
+
+5:4. But she answered: If it please the king, I beseech thee to come to
+me this day, and Aman with thee to the banquet which I have prepared.
+
+5:5. And the king said forthwith: Call ye Aman quickly, that he may obey
+Esther's will. So the king and Aman came to the banquet which the queen
+had prepared for them.
+
+5:6. And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine plentifully: What
+dost thou desire should be given thee? and for what thing askest thou?
+although thou shouldst ask the half of my kingdom, thou shalt have it.
+
+5:7. And Esther answered: My petition and request is this:
+
+5:8. If I have found favour in the king's sight, and if it please the
+king to give me what I ask, and to fulfil my petition: let the king and
+Aman come to the banquet which I have prepared them, and to morrow I
+will open my mind to the king.
+
+5:9. So Aman went out that day joyful and merry. And when he saw
+Mardochai sitting before the gate of the palace, and that he not only
+did not rise up to honour him, but did not so much as move from the
+place where he sat, he was exceedingly angry:
+
+5:10. But dissembling his anger, and returning into his house, he called
+together to him his friends, and Zares his wife:
+
+5:11. And he declared to them the greatness of his riches, and the
+multitude of his children, and with how great glory the king had
+advanced him above all his princes and servants.
+
+5:12. And after this he said: Queen Esther also hath invited no other to
+the banquet with the king, but me: and with her I am also to dine to
+morrow with the king:
+
+5:13. And whereas I have all these things, I think I have nothing, so
+long as I see Mardochai the Jew sitting before the king's gate.
+
+5:14. Then Zares his wife, and the rest of his friends answered him:
+Order a great beam to be prepared, fifty cubits high, and in the morning
+speak to the king, that Mardochai may be hanged upon it, and so thou
+shalt go full of joy with the king to the banquet. The counsel pleased
+him, and he commanded a high gibbet to be prepared.
+
+Esther Chapter 6
+
+The king hearing of the good service done him by Mardochai, commandeth
+Aman to honour him next to the king, which he performeth.
+
+6:1. That night the king passed without sleep, and he commanded the
+histories and chronicles of former times to be brought him. And when
+they were reading them before him,
+
+6:2. They came to that place where it was written, how Mardochai had
+discovered the treason of Bagathan and Thares the eunuchs, who sought to
+kill king Assuerus.
+
+6:3. And when the king heard this, he said: What honour and reward hath
+Mardochai received for this fidelity? His servants and ministers said to
+him: He hath received no reward at all.
+
+No reward at all... He received some presents from the king, chap. 12.5;
+but these were so inconsiderable in the opinion of the courtiers, that
+they esteemed them as nothing at all.
+
+6:4. And the king said immediately: Who is in the court? for Aman was
+coming in to the inner court of the king's house, to speak to the king,
+that he might order Mardochai to be hanged upon the gibbet, which was
+prepared for him.
+
+6:5. The servants answered: Aman standeth in the court, and the king
+said: Let him come in.
+
+6:6. And when he was come in, he said to him: What ought to be done to
+the man whom the king is desirous to honour? But Aman thinking in his
+heart, and supposing that the king would honour no other but himself,
+
+6:7. Answered: The man whom the king desireth to honour,
+
+6:8. Ought to be clothed with the king's apparel, and to be set upon the
+horse that the king rideth upon, and to have the royal crown upon his
+head,
+
+6:9. And let the first of the king's princes and nobles hold his horse,
+and going through the street of the city, proclaim before him and say:
+Thus shall he be honoured, whom the king hath a mind to honour.
+
+6:10. And the king said to him: Make haste and take the robe and the
+horse, and do as thou hast spoken to Mardochai the Jew, who sitteth
+before the gates of the palace. Beware thou pass over any of those
+things which thou hast spoken.
+
+6:11. So Aman took the robe and the horse, and arraying Mardochai in the
+street of the city, and setting him on the horse, went before him, and
+proclaimed: This honour is he worthy of, whom the king hath a mind to
+honour.
+
+6:12. But Mardochai returned to the palace gate: and Aman made haste to
+go to his house, mourning and having his head covered:
+
+6:13. And he told Zares his wife, and his friends, all that had befallen
+him. And the wise men whom he had in counsel, and his wife answered him:
+If Mardochai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to
+fall, thou canst not resist him, but thou shalt fall in his sight.
+
+6:14. As they were yet speaking, the king's eunuchs came, and compelled
+him to go quickly to the banquet which the queen had prepared.
+
+Esther Chapter 7
+
+Esther's petition for herself and her people: Aman is hanged upon the
+gibbet he had prepared for Mardochai.
+
+7:1. So the king and Aman went in, to drink with the queen.
+
+7:2. And the king said to her again the second day, after he was warm
+with wine: What is thy petition, Esther, that it may be granted thee?
+and what wilt thou have done: although thou ask the half of my kingdom,
+thou shalt have it.
+
+7:3. Then she answered: If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and
+if it please thee, give me my life for which I ask, and my people for
+which I request.
+
+7:4. For we are given up, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain,
+and to perish. And would God we were sold for bondmen and bondwomen: the
+evil might be borne with, and I would have mourned in silence: but now
+we have an enemy, whose cruelty redoundeth upon the king.
+
+7:5. And king Assuerus answered and said: Who is this, and of what
+power, that he should do these things?
+
+7:6. And Esther said: It is this Aman that is our adversary and most
+wicked enemy. Aman hearing this was forthwith astonished, not being able
+to bear the countenance of the king and of the queen.
+
+7:7. But the king being angry rose up, and went from the place of the
+banquet into the garden set with trees. Aman also rose up to entreat
+Esther the queen for his life, for he understood that evil was prepared
+for him by the king.
+
+7:8. And when the king came back out of the garden set with trees, and
+entered into the place of the banquet, he found Aman was fallen upon the
+bed on which Esther lay, and he said: He will force the queen also in my
+presence, in my own house. The word was not yet gone out of the king's
+mouth, and immediately they covered his face.
+
+7:9. And Harbona, one of the eunuchs that stood waiting on the king,
+said: Behold the gibbet which he hath prepared for Mardochai, who spoke
+for the king, standeth in Aman's house, being fifty cubits high. And the
+king said to him: Hang him upon it.
+
+7:10. So Aman was hanged on the gibbet, which he had prepared for
+Mardochai: and the king's wrath ceased.
+
+Esther Chapter 8
+
+Mardochai is advanced: Aman's letters are reversed.
+
+8:1. On that day king Assuerus gave the house of Aman, the Jews' enemy,
+to queen Esther, and Mardochai came in before the king. For Esther had
+confessed to him that he was her uncle.
+
+8:2. And the king took the ring which he had commanded to be taken again
+from Aman, and gave it to Mardochai. And Esther set Mardochai over her
+house.
+
+8:3. And not content with these things, she fell down at the king's feet
+and wept, and speaking to him besought him, that he would give orders
+that the malice of Aman the Agagite, and his most wicked devices which
+he had invented against the Jews, should be of no effect.
+
+8:4. But he, as the manner was, held out the golden sceptre with his
+hand, which was the sign of clemency: and she arose up and stood before
+him,
+
+8:5. And said: If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his
+sight, and my request be not disagreeable to him, I beseech thee, that
+the former letters of Aman the traitor and enemy of the Jews, by which
+he commanded that they should be destroyed in all the king's provinces,
+may be reversed by new letters.
+
+8:6. For how can I endure the murdering and slaughter of my people?
+
+8:7. And king Assuerus answered Esther the queen, and Mardochai the Jew:
+I have given Aman's house to Esther, and I have commanded him to be
+hanged on a gibbet, because he durst lay hands on the Jews.
+
+8:8. Write ye therefore to the Jews, as it pleaseth you in the king's
+name, and seal the letters with my ring. For this was the custom, that
+no man durst gainsay the letters which were sent in the king's name, and
+were sealed with his ring.
+
+8:9. Then the king's scribes and secretaries were called for (now it was
+the time of the third month which is called Siban) the three and
+twentieth day of the month, and letters were written, as Mardochai had a
+mind, to the Jews, and to the governors, and to the deputies, and to the
+judges, who were rulers over the hundred and twenty-seven provinces,
+from India even to Ethiopia: to province and province, to people and
+people, according to their languages and characters, and to the Jews,
+according as they could read and hear.
+
+8:10. And these letters which were sent in the king's name, were sealed
+with his ring, and sent by posts: who were to run through all the
+provinces, to prevent the former letters with new messages.
+
+8:11. And the king gave orders to them, to speak to the Jews in every
+city, and to command them to gather themselves together, and to stand
+for their lives, and to kill and destroy all their enemies with their
+wives and children and all their houses, and to take their spoil.
+
+8:12. And one day of revenge was appointed through all the provinces, to
+wit, the thirteenth of the twelfth month Adar.
+
+8:13. And this was the content of the letter, that it should be notified
+in all lands and peoples that were subject to the empire of king
+Assuerus, that the Jews were ready to be revenged of their enemies.
+
+8:14. So the swift posts went out carrying the messages, and the king's
+edict was hung up in Susan.
+
+8:15. And Mardochai going forth out of the palace, and from the king's
+presence, shone in royal apparel, to wit, of violet and sky colour,
+wearing a golden crown on his head, and clothed with a cloak of silk and
+purple. And all the city rejoiced, and was glad.
+
+8:16. But to the Jews, a new light seemed to rise, joy, honour, and
+dancing.
+
+8:17. And in all peoples, cities, and provinces, whithersoever the
+king's commandments came, there was wonderful rejoicing, feasts and
+banquets, and keeping holy day: Insomuch that many of other nations and
+religion, joined themselves to their worship and ceremonies. For a great
+dread of the name of the Jews had fallen upon all.
+
+Esther Chapter 9
+
+The Jews kill their enemies that would have killed them. The days of
+Phurim are appointed to be kept holy.
+
+9:1. So on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which as we have
+said above is called Adar, when all the Jews were designed to be
+massacred, and their enemies were greedy after their blood, the case
+being altered, the Jews began to have the upper hand, and to revenge
+themselves of their adversaries.
+
+To revenge, etc... The Jews on this occasion, by authority from the
+king, were made executioners of the public justice, for punishing by
+death a crime worthy of death, viz., a malicious conspiracy for
+extirpating their whole nation.
+
+9:2. And they gathered themselves together in every city, and town, and
+place, to lay their hands on their enemies, and their persecutors. And
+no one durst withstand them, for the fear of their power had gone
+through every people.
+
+9:3. And the judges of the provinces, and the governors, and
+lieutenants, and every one in dignity, that presided over every place
+and work, extolled the Jews for fear of Mardochai:
+
+9:4. For they knew him to be prince of the palace, and to have great
+power: and the fame of his name increased daily, and was spread abroad
+through all men's mouths.
+
+9:5. So the Jews made a great slaughter of their enemies, and killed
+them, repaying according to what they had prepared to do to them:
+
+9:6. Insomuch that even in Susan they killed five hundred men, besides
+the ten sons of Aman the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews: whose names are
+these:
+
+9:7. Pharsandatha, and Delphon, and Esphatha
+
+9:8. And Phoratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,
+
+9:9. And Phermesta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Jezatha.
+
+9:10. And when they had slain them, they would not touch the spoils of
+their goods.
+
+9:11. And presently the number of them that were killed in Susan was
+brought to the king.
+
+9:12. And he said to the queen: The Jews have killed five hundred men in
+the city of Susan, besides the ten sons of Aman: how many dost thou
+think they have slain in all the provinces? What askest thou more, and
+what wilt thou have me to command to be done?
+
+9:13. And she answered: If it please the king, let it be granted to the
+Jews, to do to morrow in Susan as they have done to day, and that the
+ten sons of Aman may be hanged upon gibbets.
+
+9:14. And the king commanded that it should be so done. And forthwith
+the edict was hung up in Susan, and the ten sons of Aman were hanged.
+
+9:15. And on the fourteenth day of the month Adar the Jews gathered
+themselves together, and they killed in Susan three hundred men: but
+they took not their substance.
+
+9:16. Moreover through all the provinces which were subject to the
+king's dominion the Jews stood for their lives, and slew their enemies
+and persecutors: insomuch that the number of them that were killed
+amounted to seventy-five thousand, and no man took any of their goods.
+
+9:17. Now the thirteenth day of the month Adar was the first day with
+them all of the slaughter, and on the fourteenth day they left off.
+Which they ordained to be kept holy day, so that all times hereafter
+they should celebrate it with feasting, joy, and banquets.
+
+9:18. But they that were killing in the city of Susan, were employed in
+the slaughter on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the same month:
+and on the fifteenth day they rested. And therefore they appointed that
+day to be a holy day of feasting and gladness.
+
+9:19. But those Jews that dwelt in towns not walled and in villages,
+appointed the fourteenth day of the month Adar for banquets and
+gladness, so as to rejoice on that day, and send one another portions of
+their banquets and meats.
+
+9:20. And Mardochai wrote all these things, and sent them comprised in
+letters to the Jews that abode in all the king's provinces, both those
+that lay near and those afar off,
+
+9:21. That they should receive the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the
+month Adar for holy days, and always at the return of the year should
+celebrate them with solemn honour:
+
+9:22. Because on those days the Jews revenged themselves of their
+enemies, and their mourning and sorrow were turned into mirth and joy,
+and that these should be days of feasting and gladness, in which they
+should send one to another portions of meats, and should give gifts to
+the poor.
+
+9:23. And the Jews undertook to observe with solemnity all they had
+begun to do at that time, which Mardochai by letters had commanded to be
+done.
+
+9:24. For Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy and
+adversary of the Jews, had devised evil against them, to kill them and
+destroy them; and had cast Phur, that is, the lot.
+
+9:25. And afterwards Esther went in to the king, beseeching him that his
+endeavours might be made void by the king's letters: and the evil that
+he had intended against the Jews, might return upon his own head. And so
+both he and his sons were hanged upon gibbets.
+
+9:26. And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of
+lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn. And all
+things that were done, are contained in the volume of this epistle, that
+is, of this book:
+
+9:27. And the things that they suffered, and that were afterwards
+changed, the Jews took upon themselves and their seed, and upon all that
+had a mind to be joined to their religion, so that it should be lawful
+for none to pass these days without solemnity: which the writing
+testifieth, and certain times require, as the years continually succeed
+one another.
+
+9:28. These are the days which shall never be forgot: and which all
+provinces in the whole world shall celebrate throughout all generations:
+neither is there any city wherein the days of Phurim, that is, of lots,
+must not be observed by the Jews, and by their posterity, which is bound
+to these ceremonies.
+
+9:29. And Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mardochai the
+Jew, wrote also a second epistle, that with all diligence this day
+should be established a festival for the time to come.
+
+9:30. And they sent to all the Jews that were in the hundred and twenty-
+seven provinces of king Assuerus, that they should have peace, and
+receive truth,
+
+9:31. And observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy in their
+proper time: as Mardochai and Esther had appointed, and they undertook
+them to be observed by themselves and by their seed, fasts, and cries,
+and the days of lots,
+
+9:32. And all things which are contained in the history of this book,
+which is called Esther.
+
+Esther Chapter 10
+
+Assuerus's greatness. Mardochai's dignity.
+
+10:1. And king Assuerus made all the land, and all the islands of the
+sea tributary.
+
+10:2. And his strength and his empire, and the dignity and greatness
+wherewith he exalted Mardochai, are written in the books of the Medes,
+and of the Persians:
+
+10:3. And how Mardochai of the race of the Jews, was next after king
+Assuerus: and great among the Jews, and acceptable to the people of his
+brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking those things
+which were for the welfare of his seed.
+
+10:4. Then Mardochai said: God hath done these things.
+
+Then Mardochai, etc... Here St. Jerome advertiseth the reader, that what
+follows is not in the Hebrew, but is found in the septuagint Greek
+edition, which the seventy-two interpreters translated out of the
+Hebrew, or added by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
+
+10:5. I remember a dream that I saw, which signified these same things:
+and nothing thereof hath failed.
+
+A dream... This dream was prophetical and extraordinary: otherwise the
+general rule is not to observe dreams.
+
+10:6. The little fountain which grew into a river, and was turned into a
+light, and into the sun, and abounded into many waters, is Esther, whom
+the king married, and made queen.
+
+10:7. But the two dragons are I and Aman.
+
+10:8. The nations that were assembled are they that endeavoured to
+destroy the name of the Jews.
+
+10:9. And my nation is Israel, who cried to the Lord, and the Lord saved
+his people: and he delivered us from all evils, and hath wrought great
+signs and wonders among the nations:
+
+10:10. And he commanded that there should be two lots, one of the people
+of God, and the other of all the nations.
+
+10:11. And both lots came to the day appointed already from that time
+before God to all nations:
+
+10:12. And the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his
+inheritance.
+
+10:13. And these days shall be observed in the month of Adar on the
+fourteenth, and fifteenth day of the same month, with all diligence, and
+joy of the people gathered into one assembly, throughout all the
+generations hereafter of the people of Israel.
+
+Esther Chapter 11
+
+The dream of Mardochai, which in the ancient Greek and Latin Bibles was
+into the beginning of the book, but was detached by St. Jerome, and put
+in this place.
+
+11:1. In the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra,
+Dositheus, who said he was a priest, and of the Levitical race, and
+Ptolemy his son brought this epistle of Phurim, which they said
+Lysimachus the son of Ptolemy had interpreted in Jerusalem.
+
+11:2. In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great, in the
+first day of the month Nisan, Mardochai the son of Jair, the son of
+Semei, the son of Cis, of the tribe of Benjamin:
+
+11:3. A Jew who dwelt in the city of Susan, a great man and among the
+first of the king's court, had a dream.
+
+11:4. Now he was of the number of the captives, whom Nabuchodonosor king
+of Babylon had carried away from Jerusalem with Jechonias king of Juda:
+
+11:5. And this was his dream: Behold there were voices, and tumults, and
+thunders, and earthquakes, and a disturbance upon the earth.
+
+11:6. And behold two great dragons came forth ready to fight one against
+another.
+
+11:7. And at their cry all nations were stirred up to fight against the
+nation of the just.
+
+11:8. And that was a day of darkness and danger, of tribulation and
+distress, and great fear upon the earth.
+
+11:9. And the nation of the just was troubled fearing their own evils,
+and was prepared for death.
+
+11:10. And they cried to God: and as they were crying, a little fountain
+grew into a very great river, and abounded into many waters.
+
+11:11. The light and the sun rose up, and the humble were exalted, and
+they devoured the glorious.
+
+11:12. And when Mardochai had seen this, and arose out of his bed, he
+was thinking what God would do: and he kept it fixed in his mind,
+desirous to know what the dream should signify.
+
+Esther Chapter 12
+
+Mardochai detects the conspiracy of the two eunuchs.
+
+12:1. And he abode at that time in the king's court with Bagatha and
+Thara the king's eunuchs, who were porters of the palace.
+
+12:2. And when he understood their designs, and had diligently searched
+into their projects, he learned that they went about to lay violent
+hands on king Artaxerxes, and he told the king thereof.
+
+12:3. Then the king had them both examined, and after they had
+confessed, commanded them to be put to death.
+
+12:4. But the king made a record of what was done: and Mardochai also
+committed the memory of the thing to writing.
+
+12:5. And the king commanded him, to abide in the court of the palace,
+and gave him presents for the information.
+
+12:6. But Aman the son of Amadathi the Bugite was in great honour with
+the king, and sought to hurt Mardochai and his people, because of the
+two eunuchs of the king who were put to death.
+
+Esther Chapter 13
+
+A copy of a letter sent by Aman to destroy the Jews. Mardochai's prayer
+for the people.
+
+13:1. And this was the copy of the letter: Artaxerxes the great king who
+reigneth from India to Ethiopia, to the princes and governors of the
+hundred and twenty-seven provinces, that are subject to his empire,
+greeting.
+
+13:2. Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought all the world
+under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse the greatness of my power,
+but to govern my subjects with clemency and that they might live quietly
+without any terror, and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all men,
+
+13:3. But when I asked my counsellors how this might be accomplished,
+one that excelled the rest in wisdom and fidelity, and was second after
+the king, Aman by name,
+
+13:4. Told me that there was a people scattered through the whole world,
+which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations,
+despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the
+concord of all nations.
+
+13:5. Wherefore having learned this, and seeing one nation in opposition
+to all mankind using perverse laws, and going against our commandments,
+and disturbing the peace and concord of the provinces subject to us,
+
+13:6. We have commanded that all whom Aman shall mark out, who is chief
+over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honour as
+a father, shall be utterly destroyed by their enemies, with their wives
+and children, and that none shall have pity on them, on the fourteenth
+day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:
+
+13:7. That these wicked men going down to hell in one day, may restore
+to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.
+
+13:8. But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works,
+
+13:9. And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in thy
+power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to
+save Israel.
+
+13:10. Thou hast made heaven and earth and all things that are under the
+cope of heaven.
+
+13:11. Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist thy
+majesty.
+
+13:12. Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not out of
+pride and or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud
+Aman,
+
+13:13. (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of Israel
+have kissed even the steps of his feet,)
+
+13:14. But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a
+man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.
+
+13:15. And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy
+people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy
+inheritance.
+
+13:16. Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out
+of Egypt.
+
+13:17. Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and inheritance,
+and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, O
+Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.
+
+13:18. And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to the Lord,
+because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.
+
+Esther Chapter 14
+
+The prayer of Esther for herself and her people.
+
+14:1. Queen Esther also, fearing the danger that was at hand, had
+recourse to the Lord.
+
+14:2. And when she had laid away her royal apparel, she put on garments
+suitable for weeping and mourning: instead of divers precious ointments,
+she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body with
+fasts: and all the places in which before she was accustomed to rejoice,
+she filled with her torn hair.
+
+14:3. And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord,
+who alone art our king, help me a desolate woman, and who have no other
+helper but thee.
+
+14:4. My danger is in my hands.
+
+14:5. I have heard of my father that thou, O Lord, didst take Israel
+from among all nations, and our fathers from all their predecessors, to
+possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and thou hast done to them
+as thou hast promised.
+
+14:6. We have sinned in thy sight, and therefore thou hast delivered us
+into the hands of our enemies:
+
+14:7. For we have worshipped their gods. Thou art just, O Lord.
+
+14:8. And now they are not content to oppress us with most hard bondage,
+but attributing the strength of their hands to the power of their idols.
+
+14:9. They design to change thy promises, and destroy thy inheritance,
+and shut the mouths of them that praise thee, and extinguish the glory
+of thy temple and altar,
+
+14:10. That they may open the mouths of Gentiles, and praise the
+strength of idols, and magnify for ever a carnal king.
+
+14:11. Give not, O Lord, thy sceptre to them that are not, lest they
+laugh at our ruin: but turn their counsel upon themselves, and destroy
+him that hath begun to rage against us.
+
+14:12. Remember, O Lord, and shew thyself to us in the time of our
+tribulation, and give me boldness, O Lord, king of gods, and of all
+power:
+
+14:13. Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence of the
+lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our enemy, that both he
+himself may perish, and the rest that consent to him.
+
+14:14. But deliver us by thy hand, and help me, who have no other
+helper, but thee, O Lord, who hast the knowledge of all things.
+
+14:15. And thou knowest that I hate the glory of the wicked, and abhor
+the bed of the uncircumcised, and of every stranger.
+
+14:16. Thou knowest my necessity, that I abominate the sign of my pride
+and glory, which is upon my head in the days of my public appearance,
+and detest it as a menstruous rag, and wear it not in the days of my
+silence,
+
+14:17. And that I have not eaten at Aman's table, nor hath the king's
+banquet pleased me, and that I have not drunk the wine of the drink
+offerings:
+
+14:18. And that thy handmaid hath never rejoiced, since I was brought
+hither unto this day but in thee, O Lord, the God of Abraham.
+
+14:19. O God, who art mighty above all, hear the voice of them, that
+have no other hope, and deliver us from the hand of the wicked, and
+deliver me from my fear.
+
+Esther Chapter 15
+
+Esther comes into the king's presence: she is terrified, but God turns
+his heart.
+
+15:1. And he commanded her (no doubt but he was Mardochai) to go to the
+king, and petition for her people, and for her country.
+
+15:2. Remember, (said he,) the days of thy low estate, how thou wast
+brought up by my hand, because Aman the second after the king hath
+spoken against us unto death.
+
+15:3. And do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king for us, and
+deliver us from death.
+
+15:4. And on the third day she laid away the garments she wore, and put
+on her glorious apparel.
+
+15:5. And glittering in royal robes, after she had called upon God the
+ruler and Saviour of all, she took two maids with her,
+
+15:6. And upon one of them she leaned, as if for delicateness and
+overmuch tenderness she were not able to bear up her own body.
+
+15:7. And the other maid followed her lady, bearing up her train flowing
+on the ground.
+
+15:8. But she with a rosy colour in her face, and with gracious and
+bright eyes hid a mind full of anguish, and exceeding great fear.
+
+15:9. So going in she passed through all doors in order, and stood
+before the king, where he sat upon his royal throne, clothed with his
+royal robes, and glittering with gold, and precious stones, and he was
+terrible to behold.
+
+15:10. And when he had lifted up his countenance, and with burning eyes
+had shewn the wrath of his heart, the queen sunk down, and her colour
+turned pale, and she rested her weary head upon her handmaid.
+
+15:11. And God changed the king's spirit into mildness, and all in haste
+and in fear he leaped from his throne, and holding her up in his arms,
+till she came to herself, caressed her with these words:
+
+15:12. What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother, fear not.
+
+15:13. Thou shalt not die: for this law is not made for thee, but for
+all others.
+
+15:14. Come near then, and touch the sceptre.
+
+15:15. And as she held her peace, he took the golden sceptre, and laid
+it upon her neck, and kissed her, and said: Why dost thou not speak to
+me?
+
+15:16. She answered: I saw thee, my lord, as an angel of God, and my
+heart was troubled for fear of thy majesty.
+
+15:17. For thou, my lord, art very admirable, and thy face is full of
+graces.
+
+15:18. And while she was speaking, she fell down again, and was almost
+in a swoon.
+
+15:19. But the king was troubled, and all his servants comforted her.
+
+Esther Chapter 16
+
+A copy of the king's letter in favour of the Jews.
+
+16:1. The great king Artaxerxes, from India to Ethiopia, to the
+governors and princes of a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, which
+obey our command, sendeth greeting.
+
+From India to Ethiopia... That is, who reigneth from India to Ethiopia.
+
+16:2. Many have abused unto pride the goodness of princes, and the
+honour that hath been bestowed upon them:
+
+16:3. And not only endeavour to oppress the king's subjects, but not
+bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand, to practise also
+against them that gave it.
+
+16:4. Neither are they content not to return thanks for benefits
+received, and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they
+think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all things.
+
+16:5. And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour to
+undermine by lies such as observe diligently the offices committed to
+them, and do all things in such manner as to be worthy of all men's
+praise,
+
+16:6. While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are
+well meaning, and judge of others by their own nature.
+
+16:7. Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the things
+which are done daily, how the good designs of kings are depraved by the
+evil suggestions of certain men.
+
+16:8. Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.
+
+16:9. Neither must you think, if we command different things, that it
+cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give sentence according to
+the quality and necessity of times, as the profit of the commonwealth
+requireth.
+
+16:10. Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, Aman the
+son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and country, and having
+nothing of the Persian blood, but with his cruelty staining our
+goodness, was received being a stranger by us:
+
+16:11. And found our humanity so great towards him, that he was called
+our father, and was worshipped by all as the next man after the king:
+
+16:12. But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about to
+deprive us of our kingdom and life.
+
+16:13. For with certain new and unheard of devices he hath sought the
+destruction of Mardochai, by whose fidelity and good services our life
+was saved, and of Esther the partner of our kingdom with all their
+nation:
+
+16:14. Thinking that after they were slain, he might work treason
+against us left alone without friends, and might transfer the kingdom of
+the Persians to the Macedonians.
+
+16:15. But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked man
+appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrariwise, use
+just laws,
+
+16:16. And are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the
+ever living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our
+fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day.
+
+16:17. Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our name,
+are void and of no effect.
+
+16:18. For which crime both he himself that devised it, and all his
+kindred hang on gibbets, before the gates of this city Susan: not we,
+but God repaying him as he deserved.
+
+16:19. But this edict, which we now send, shall be published in all
+cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own laws.
+
+16:20. And you shall aid them that they may kill those who had prepared
+themselves to kill them, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month,
+which is called Adar.
+
+16:21. For the almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and mourning
+into joy to them.
+
+16:22. Wherefore you shall also count this day among other festival
+days, and celebrate it with all joy, that it may be known also in times
+to come,
+
+16:23. That all they who faithfully obey the Persians, receive a worthy
+reward for their fidelity: but they that are traitors to their kingdom,
+are destroyed for their wickedness.
+
+16:24. And let every province and city, that will not be partaker of
+this solemnity, perish by the sword and by fire, and be destroyed in
+such manner as to be made unpassable, both to men and beasts, for an
+example of contempt, and disobedience.
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE BIBLE, DOUAY-RHEIMS, BOOK 19 ***
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