Additions to Esther 13
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1THe copie of the letters was this, The great King Artaxerxes writeth these things to the princes & gouernours that are vnder him from India vnto Ethiopia in an hundreth and seuen and twentie prouinces. 2When I was made lord ouer manie people, & had subdued the whole earth vnto my dominion, I wolde not exalte my self by the reason of my power, but purposed with equitie alway and gentelnes to gouerne my subiects, and wholy to set them in a peaceable life, and thereby to bring my kingdome vnto tranquilitie, that men might safely go thorow on euerie side, and to renew peace againe, which all men desire. 3Now when I asked my counselers how these things might be broght to passe, one that was conuersant with vs, of excellent wisdome, and constant in good wil, and shewed him self to be of sure fidelitie, which had the seconde place in the kingdome, euen Aman, 4Declared vnto vs, that in all nacions there was scatered abroade a rebellious people, that had Lawes contrarie to all people, and haue alway dispised the commandements of Kings, and so that this general empire, that we haue begonne, can not be gouerned without offence. 5Seing now we perceiue, that this people alone are altogether contrarie vnto euerie man, vsing strange and other maner of lawes, and hauing an euil opinion of our doings, and go about to stablishe wicked matters, that our kingdome shulde not come to good estate, 6Therefore haue we commanded, that all they that are appointed in writing vnto you by Aman (which is ordeined ouer the affaires, & is as our seconde father) shal all with their wiues and children be destroyed and rooted out with the sworde of their enemies without all mercie, and that none be spared the fortenth day of the twelfth moneth Adar of this yere, 7That they which of olde, and now also haue euer bene rebellious, may in one day with violence be thruste downe into the hell, to the intente that after this time our affaires may be without troubles, and wel gouerned in all pointes. 8Then Mardocheus thoght vpon all the workes and of the Lord, and made his prayer vnto him, 9Saying, O Lord, Lord, the King almightie (for all things are in thy power) and if thou hast appointed to saue Israel, there is no man that can withstande thee. 10For thou hast made heauen and earth, and all the wonderous things vnder the heauen. 11Thou art Lord of all things, and there is no man that can resist thee, which art the Lord. 12Thou knowest all things, & thou knowest, Lord, that it was nether of malice, nor presumption, nor for anie desire of glorie, that I did this, and not bowe downe to proude Aman. 13For I wolde haue bene content with good wil for the saluation of Israel, to haue kist the sole of his fete. 14But I did it, because I wolde not preferre the honour of a man aboue the glorie of God, and wolde not worship anie but onely thee, my Lord, and this haue I not done of pride. 15And therefore, ô Lord God and King, haue mercie vpon thy people: for they imagine how thei may bring vs to naught, yea, they wolde destroye the inheritance, that hathe bene thine from the beginning. 16Dispise not the porcion, which thou hast deliuered out of Egypt for thine owne self. 17Heare my prayer, and be merciful vnto thy portion: turne our sorowe into ioye, that we may liue, ô Lord, and praise thy Name: shut not the mouthes of them that praise thee. 18All Israel in like maner cryed moste earnestly vnto the Lord, because that death was before their eyes.