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And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.

Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.

Then Haman informed King Xerxes, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else's, and they do not obey the king's laws. So it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.

So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.

A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready for that day.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King's Gate,

So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai's response to Esther.

So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.

"Hurry," commanded the king, "and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

That night, sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the book of records, the chronicles, to be brought in and read to him.

So the king's attendants answered him, "Haman is there, standing in the court." "Bring him in," ordered the king.

So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai, and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!"

So the king and Haman went to dine with Esther the queen,

So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.

So King Xerxes said to Esther the Queen and Mordecai the Jew, "Behold, I have given Haman's estate to Esther, and he was hanged on the gallows because he attacked the Jews.

A copy of the text, issued as law throughout every province, was distributed to all the peoples, so that the Jews would be prepared on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.

So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman.

The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days of the month. So they rested on the fifteenth day, making it a day of feasting and joy.

So the Jews agreed to continue the custom they had started, as Mordecai had written to them.

These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, nor should the memory of them fade from their descendants.