Ester 3

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 - Dopo questi avvenimenti, accadde che il re Assuero innalzò Aman figlio di Amadati, della stirpe di Agag, e gli diè luogo sopra a tutti gli altri principi suoi.	1 In the days of Artaxerxes, who reigned from India to Ethiopia over one hundred twenty-seven provinces,
2 Tutti i servi del re, che si trovavano alle porte del palazzo, piegavano le ginocchia ed adoravano Aman, perchè così aveva loro comandato il re. Mardocheo solo non piegava il ginocchio nè lo adorava.	2 when he sat on the throne of his kingdom, the city of Susa was the root of his kingdom.
3 I servi del re, che custodivano l'ingresso del palazzo, gli dissero: «Perchè, a differenza degli altri, tu non osservi il comando del re?».	3 And so, in the third year of his reign, he made a great feast for all the leaders and his servants, for the most powerful among the Persians and the distinguished among the Medes, and for the rulers of the provinces before him,
4 Avendo ciò detto più volte, e non avendo egli voluto ascoltarli, ne dettero notizia ad Aman, curiosi di vedere se Mardocheo stesse fermo nel suo proposito; egli infatti aveva detto a loro d'esser giudeo.	4 so that he might show the glorious riches of his kingdom, as well as its greatness, and so boast of his power, for a long time, namely, one hundred and eighty days.
5 Quando Aman ebbe ciò udito, e si fu accertato con la prova che Mardocheo non piegava il ginocchio davanti a lui nè lo adorava, si sdegnò grandemente;	5 And when the days of the feast were nearly completed, he invited all the people, who had been found in Susa, from the greatest even to the least, and he commanded a feast to be prepared, for seven days, in the court of the garden and the arboretum, which had been planted by the care and by the hand of the king.
6 avendo saputo ch'egli era della nazione giudea, troppo poco gli parve di rifarsi su lui solo, e piuttosto pensò a sterminare tutta la razza dei Giudei che si trovavano nel regno di Assuero.	6 And, in every direction, tents the color of the sky and of flax as well as hyacinth were hung up, suspended by cords of linen and even purple, which had been placed through rings of ivory and were held up with marble columns. The couches also, of gold and silver, had been arranged over a pavement of emerald-green, bearing scattered jewels, which was decorated with a wonderful variety of images.
7 Il mese primo, chiamato Nisan, l'anno dodicesimo del regno di Assuero, dinanzi ad Aman, fu tirato a sorte (che in ebraico si dice Pur) in qual giorno e mese dovesse esser messa a morte la nazione giudaica; e sortì il mese dodicesimo, chiamato Adar.	7 Moreover, those who had been invited drank from golden cups, and dishes of foods were brought in one after another. Likewise, choice wine was presented in abundance, as was worthy of royal magnificence.
8 Disse Aman al re Assuero: «V'è una gente, dispersa per tutte le province del regno tuo, divisa anche fra sè, che ha leggi e costumi nuovi, e che inoltre disprezza gli statuti del re. Tu comprendi che non è bene per il tuo regno lasciarla insolentire.	8 Nor was anyone compelled to drink who was unwilling, but, just as the king had appointed, one of his nobles was set over each table, so that each one might select what he wanted.
9 Se ti piace, disponi che venga distrutta, ed io verserò diecimila talenti ai cassieri del tuo tesoro».	9 Likewise, Vashti the queen made a feast for the women, in the palace where king Artaxerxes was accustomed to stay the night.
10 Il re allora si tolse di mano l'anello del quale si serviva, lo dette ad Aman figlio di Amadati della stirpe di Agag, nemico dei Giudei,	10 And so, on the seventh day, when the king was more cheerful, and, after excessive drinking, had become warmed with wine, he ordered Mehuman, and Biztha, and Harbona, and Bigtha, and Abagtha, and Zethar, and Charkas, seven eunuchs who served in his presence,
11 e gli disse: «L'argento che tu hai promesso, sia pur tuo; fa' di quel popolo quel che ti piace».	11 to bring in queen Vashti before the king, with the crown set upon her head, to show her beauty to the whole people and to the leaders, for she was very beautiful.
12 Nel mese primo, detto Nisan, a' dì tredici, furon chiamati gli scrivani del re, e come Aman aveva ordinato, fu scritto in nome del re Assuero a tutti i satrapi del re e giudici delle province e delle diverse nazioni, in modo che ogni nazione potesse leggere e capire secondo le varie lingue; e le lettere furon sigillate con l'anello reale.	12 She refused, and she showed contempt towards the king’s command, which he had delivered to her by the eunuchs. Whereupon the king, being angry and inflamed with a very great fury,
13 Furon poi mandate per mezzo dei corrieri reali in tutte le province, acciò tutti i Giudei, dai fanciulli ai vecchi, donne e bambini, in uno stesso giorno, cioè ai tredici del mese dodicesimo chiamato Adar, fossero uccisi e sterminati, e depredati i loro beni.	13 questioned the wise men, who, according to royal custom were always near him and all he did was by their counsel, who knew the laws as well as the judgments of their ancestors,
14 Quest'era la sostanza delle lettere, acciò tutte le province sapessero questo, e si preparassero per il giorno suddetto.	14 (but first and foremost were Carshena, and Shethar, and Admatha, and Tarshish, and Meres, and Marsena, and Memucan, seven rulers of the Persians as well as the Medes, who saw the face of the king and who were accustomed to sitting down first after him,)
15 I corrieri che furono spediti si affrettavano ad eseguire il comando del re. E subito in Susa fu affisso l'editto, mentre il re ed Aman celebravano un convito, e tutti i Giudei ch'eran nella città piangevano.	15 and he sent letters to all the provinces of his kingdom, so that every nation was able to hear and to read, in various languages and letters, that husbands are to be the greater rulers in their own houses, and that this should be published to every people.