17:003:007 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth
           year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot,
           before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the
           twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.

17:003:008 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people
           scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the
           provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all
           people; neither keep they the king’s laws:  therefore it is not
           for the king’s profit to suffer them.

17:003:009 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be
           destroyed:  and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to
           the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to
           bring it into the king’s treasuries.

17:003:010 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto
           Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.

17:003:011 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the
           people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

17:003:012 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of
           the first month, and there was written according to all that
           Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the
           governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of
           every people of every province according to the writing
           thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name
           of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s
           ring.

17:003:013 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s
           provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all
           Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one
           day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which
           is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

17:003:014 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every
           province was published unto all people, that they should be
           ready against that day.

17:003:015 The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment,
           and the decree was given in Shushan the palace.  And the king
           and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was
           perplexed.

17:004:001 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his
           clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into
           the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

17:004:002 And came even before the king’s gate:  for none might enter
           into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth.