Esther 3:12-14

3:12 So the royal scribes ¹  were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps ²  and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to its language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring. 3:13 Letters were sent by the runners to all the king’s provinces stating that ³  they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, ⁴  on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day ⁵  of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions. 3:14 A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, ⁶  so that they would be prepared for this day.

[3:12]  ¹ tn Or “secretaries” (so NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[3:12]  ² tn Or “princes” (so NLT); CEV “highest officials.”

[3:13]  ³ tn The words “stating that” are not in the Hebrew text but have been supplied in the translation for clarity.

[3:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “children and women.” The translation follows contemporary English idiom, which reverses the order.

[3:13]  ⁵ tc The LXX does not include the words “on the thirteenth day.”

[3:14]  ⁶ tn Heb “peoples” (so NASB, NRSV).