AdditionsToEsther:13

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* The copy of the letters was this : The great king Artexerxes writeth these things to the princes and governours that are under him from India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces . * After that I became lord over many nations and had dominion over the whole world , not lifted up with presumption of my authority , but carrying myself always with equity and mildness , I purposed to settle my subjects continually in a quiet life , and making my kingdom peaceable , and open for passage to the utmost coasts , to renew peace , which is desired of all men . * Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass , Aman , that excelled in wisdom among us , and was approved for his constant good will and steadfast fidelity , and had the honour of the second place in the kingdom , * Declared unto us , that in all nations throughout the world there was scattered a certain malicious people , that had laws contrary to ail nations , and continually despised the commandments of kings , so as the uniting of our kingdoms , honourably intended by us cannot go forward . * Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in opposition unto all men , differing in the strange manner of their laws , and evil affected to our state , working all the mischief they can that our kingdom may not be firmly established : * Therefore have we commanded , that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman , who is ordained over the affairs , and is next unto us , shall all , with their wives and children , be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies , without all mercy and pity , the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year : * That they , who of old and now also are malicious , may in one day with violence go into the grave , and so ever hereafter cause our affairs to be well settled , and without trouble . * Then Mardocheus thought upon all the works of the Lord , and made his prayer unto him , * Saying , O Lord , Lord , the King Almighty : for the whole world is in thy power , and if thou hast appointed to save Israel , there is no man that can gainsay thee : * For thou hast made heaven and earth , and all the wondrous things under the heaven . * Thou art Lord of all things , and and there is no man that can resist thee , which art the Lord . * Thou knowest all things , and thou knowest , Lord , that it was neither in contempt nor pride , nor for any desire of glory , that I did not bow down to proud Aman . * For I could have been content with good will for the salvation of Israel to kiss the soles of his feet . * But I did this , that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God : neither will I worship any but thee , O God , neither will I do it in pride . * And now , O Lord God and King , spare thy people : for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought ; yea , they desire to destroy the inheritance , that hath been thine from the beginning . * Despise not the portion , which thou hast delivered out of Egypt for thine own self . * Hear my prayer , and be merciful unto thine inheritance : turn our sorrow into joy , that we may live , O Lord , and praise thy name : and destroy not the mouths of them that praise thee , O Lord . * All Israel in like manner cried most earnestly unto the Lord , because their death was before their eyes .

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