3:1 After these things did melekh Achashverosh promote Haman (המן) Ben ha Medatha ha Agagi, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that [were] with him.
3:2 And all ha melekh's avadim, that [were] in ha melekh's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman (המן): for ha melekh had so commanded concerning him. But Mordechai (מרדּכי) bowed not, nor did [him] reverence.
3:3 Then ha melekh's avadim, which [were] in ha melekh's gate, said unto Mordechai (מרדּכי), Why transgressest thou ha melekh's commandment?
3:4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman (המן), to see whether Mordechai (מרדּכי)'s matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Yehudi.
3:5 And when Haman (המן) saw that Mordechai (מרדּכי) bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman (המן) full of wrath.
3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordechai (מרדּכי) alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordechai (מרדּכי): wherefore Haman (המן) sought to destroy all the Yehudim that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Achashverosh , [even] the people of Mordechai (מרדּכי).
3:7 In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of melekh Achashverosh , they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, before Haman (המן) from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar.
3:8 And Haman (המן) said unto melekh Achashverosh , 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 ha melekh's laws: therefore it [is] not for ha melekh's profit to suffer them.
3:9 If it please ha melekh, 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 ha melekh's treasuries.
3:10 And ha melekh took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman (המן) Ben ha Medatha ha Agagi, the Yehudim' enemy.
3:11 And ha melekh said unto Haman (המן), The silver [is] given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.
3:12 Then were ha melekh's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman (המן) had commanded unto ha melekh'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 melekh Achashverosh was it written, and sealed with ha melekh's ring.
3:13 And the letters were sent by posts into all ha melekh's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Yehudim, 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.
3:14 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.
3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by ha melekh's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And ha melekh and Haman (המן) sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
the 13th day of the month of Adar would be the propitious time to annihilate Mordechai and his people.