The king gives Haman's estate to Esther and his signet ring to Mordecai. Esther pleads for the Jews, and a new decree allows them to defend themselves. Mordecai goes out in royal robes, and many peoples become Jews, fearing them.
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.
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 .
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 .
4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther . So Esther arose , 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 :
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 ?
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 upon 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 .
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 .
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 :
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 ,
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 .
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 .
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 .
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 .
16 The Jews had light , and gladness , and joy , and honour .
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.