Haman's Plot to Destroy the Jews

31 After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman , the son of Hammedatha the Agagite , and advanced him and established his authority over e all the princes who were with him. 2 All the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman ; for so the king had commanded concerning him. But Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage . 3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai , " Why are you transgressing the king's command ?" 4 Now it was when they had spoken daily to him and he would not listen to them, that they told Haman to see whether Mordecai's reason would stand ; for he had told them that he was a Jew . 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage . 6 But he disdained e to lay hands on Mordecai alone , for they had told him who the people of Mordecai were; therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews , the people of Mordecai , who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus .

7 In the first month , which is the month Nisan , in the twelfth e year of King Ahasuerus , Pur , that is the lot , was cast before Haman from day to day and from month to month, until the twelfth e month , that is the month Adar . 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus , "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom ; their laws are different from those of all other people and they do not observe the king's laws , so it is not in the king's interest to let them remain . 9 "If it is pleasing to the king , let it be decreed that they be destroyed , and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who carry on the king's business , to put into the king's treasuries ." 10 Then the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman , the son of Hammedatha the Agagite , the enemy of the Jews . 11 The king said to Haman , "The silver is yours , and the people also, to do with them as you please e ." 12 Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth e day of the first month , and it was written just e as Haman commanded to the king's satraps , to the governors who were over each province and to the princes of each people , each province according to its script , each people according to its language , being written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king's signet ring . 13 Letters were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces to destroy , to kill and to annihilate all the Jews , both young and old , women and children , in one day , the thirteenth e day of the twelfth e month , which is the month Adar , and to seize their possessions as plunder . 14 A copy of the edict to be issued as law in every province was published to all the peoples so that they should be ready for this day . 15 The couriers went out impelled by the king's command while the decree was issued at the citadel in Susa ; and while the king and Haman sat down to drink , the city of Susa was in confusion .