Esther 16
aligned by seat — same row, same verse, whatever each bible numbers it
| v | KJVA1769 |
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| 1 | The great king Artexerxes unto the princes and governors of an hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto Ethiopia, and unto all our faithful subjects, greeting. |
| 2 | — |
| 3 | And endeavour to hurt not our subjects only, but not being able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practise also against those that do them good: |
| 4 | And take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons, that were never good, they think to escape the justice of God, that seeth all things and hateth evil. |
| 5 | — |
| 6 | — |
| 7 | — |
| 8 | — |
| 9 | — |
| 10 | For Aman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, and as a stranger received of us, |
| 11 | Had so far forth obtained the favour that we shew toward every nation, as that he was called our father, and was continually honoured of all the next person unto the king. |
| 12 | But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us of our kingdom and life: |
| 13 | Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation. |
| 14 | For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends, to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians. |
| 15 | But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws: |
| 16 | And that they be children of the most high and most mighty, living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner. |
| 17 | Wherefore ye shall do well not to put in execution the letters sent unto you by Aman the son of Amadatha. |
| 18 | — |
| 19 | Therefore ye shall publish the copy of this letter in all places, that the Jews may freely live after their own laws. |
| 20 | And ye shall aid them, that even the same day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them. |
| 21 | For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day, wherein the chosen people should have perished. |
| 22 | — |
| 23 | — |
| 24 | Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not do according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy with fire and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever. |