Ester 9

NOVA VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Igitur duodecimi mensis — id est Adar — tertia decima die, quandoverbum et edictum regis explendum erat, et hostes Iudaeorum sperabant quoddominarentur ipsis, versa vice Iudaei superaverunt adversarios suos.	1 So, on the third day, she put away her ornate apparel, and surrounded herself with glory.
2 Congregatique sunt per singulas civitates, ut extenderent manum contra inimicoset persecutores suos; nullusque ausus est resistere, eo quod omnes populosinvaserat formido eorum.	2 And when she was shining in a royal manner, and had called upon God, the Guide and Savior of all, she took two maids with her.
3 Nam et omnes provinciarum principes et satrapae etprocuratores omnisque dignitas, quae singulis locis ac operibus praeerat,sustinebant Iudaeos timore Mardochaei,	3 And she was leaning upon one of them, as if, out of delicateness and great tenderness, she were not able to bear carrying her own body.
4 quem principem esse palatii et plurimumposse cognoverant; fama quoque nominis eius crescebat cotidie et per cunctorumora volitabat.	4 And the other maid followed her lady, carrying her garment flowing on the ground.
5 Itaque percusserunt Iudaei omnes inimicos suos plaga gladii et necis etinteritus, reddentes eis, quod sibi paraverant facere.	5 Yet she had a rosy color pouring over her face, for, with gracious and bright eyes, she restrained a sorrowful soul and very great fear.
6 In Susan quingentosviros interfecerunt, extra decem filios Aman Agagitae hostis Iudaeorum, quorumista sunt nomina:	6 And so, entering hesitantly through a series of doors, she stood opposite the king, where he sat upon his royal throne, clothed in royal robes, and shining with gold and precious stones. And he was terrible to behold.
7 Pharsandatha et Delphon et Esphatha	7 And when he had lifted up his face, and with burning eyes had shown the fury of his heart, the queen collapsed, and her color turned pale, and she rested her exhausted head upon her handmaid.
8 et Phoratha et Adaliaet Aridatha	8 And God changed the king’s spirit into gentleness; quickly and apprehensively, he leapt from his throne, and lifting her up in his arms until she came to herself, he coaxed her with these words:
9 et Phermesta et Arisai et Aridai et Iezatha.	9 “What is the matter, Esther? I am your brother, do not be afraid.
10 Quos cumoccidissent, praedas de substantiis eorum tangere noluerunt.	10 You will not die. For this law has not been established for you, but for all others.
11 Statimque numerus eorum, qui occisi erant in Susan, ad regem relatus est.	11 So approach and touch the scepter.”
12 Qui dixit reginae: “ In urbe Susan interfecerunt et deleverunt Iudaeiquingentos viros et decem filios Aman. Quantam putas eos exercuisse caedem inuniversis provinciis? Quid ultra postulas et quid vis, ut fieri iubeam? ”.	12 And since she remained silent, he took the golden scepter and placed it on her neck, and he kissed her and said, “Why do you not speak to me?”
13 Cui illa respondit: “ Si regi placet, detur potestas Iudaeis, qui in Susansunt, ut sicut hodie fecerunt, sic et cras faciant, et decem filii Aman inpatibulo suspendantur ”.	13 She answered, “I saw you, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was disturbed for fear of your glory.
14 Praecepitque rex, ut ita fieret. Statimque inSusan pependit edictum, et decem filii Aman suspensi sunt.	14 For you, my lord, are great and wonderful, and your face is full of grace.”
15 Congregatis igiturIudaeis, qui in Susan erant, quarta decima die mensis Adar, interfecti sunt inSusan trecenti viri, nec eorum ab illis direpta substantia est.	15 And while she was speaking, she collapsed again, because she was out of breath.
16 Reliqui autem Iudaei per omnes provincias, quae dicioni regis subiacebant,congregati pro animabus suis steterunt, ut requiescerent ab hostibus, acinterfecerunt de persecutoribus suis septuaginta quinque milia, sed nullus desubstantiis eorum quidquam contigit.	16 But the king was troubled, and all his servants consoled her.
17 Dies autem tertius decimus mensis Adar, dies apud omnes interfectionis fuit,et quarta decima die requieverunt. Quem constituerunt esse diem epularum etlaetitiae.	17 (Alternate text from the Hebrew, verses 17-18:) And so, on the third day, Esther had put on her royal apparel and was standing in the atrium of the king’s house, which was inside, opposite the king’s hall, while he was sitting on his throne in the council room of the palace, opposite the entrance of the house.
18 At hi, qui in urbe Susan congregati sunt, tertio decimo et quartodecimo die eiusdem mensis in caede versati sunt, quinto decimo autem dierequieverunt; et idcirco eundem diem constituerunt sollemnem epularum atquelaetitiae.	18 And when he saw Esther the queen standing there, she pleased his eyes, and he extended toward her the golden scepter, which he held in his hand, and she approached and kissed the top of his scepter.
19 Hi vero Iudaei, qui in oppidis non muratis ac villis morabantur,quartum decimum diem mensis Adar conviviorum et gaudii decreverunt, ita utexsultent in eo et mittant sibi mutuo partes epularum. Illi autem, qui inurbibus habitant, agunt etiam quintum decimum diem mensis Adar cum gaudio etconvivio et ut diem festum, in quo mittunt sibi mutuo partes epularum.	19 And the king said to her, “What do you wish, queen Esther? What is your request? Even if you ask for half of the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
20 Scripsit itaque Mardochaeus omnia haec et litteris comprehensa misit ad omnesIudaeos, qui in omnibus regis provinciis morabantur, tam in vicino positis quamprocul,	20 But she responded, “If it pleases the king, I beg you to come with me today, and Haman with you, to the feast that I have prepared.”
21 ut quartam decimam et quintam decimam diem mensis Adar pro festissusciperent et, revertente semper anno, sollemni honore celebrarent	21 And immediately the king said, “Call Haman quickly, so that he may obey Esther’s will. And so the king and Haman came to the feast, which the queen had prepared for them.
22 secundumdies, in quibus requieverunt Iudaei ab inimicis suis, et mensem, qui de luctuatque tristitia in hilaritatem gaudiumque ipsis conversus est, essentque istaedies epularum atque laetitiae, et mitterent sibi invicem ciborum partes etpauperibus munuscula largirentur.	22 And the king said to her, after he had drunk wine abundantly, “What are you asking for that should be given to you? And which things do you require? Even if you request half of my kingdom, you will obtain it.”
23 Susceperuntque Iudaei in sollemnem ritum cuncta, quae eo tempore facerecoeperant, et quae Mardochaeus litteris facienda mandaverat.	23 Esther answered him, “My petition and prayer is this:
24 Aman enim filiusAmadathi stirpis Agag, adversarius omnium Iudaeorum, cogitavit contra eos malum,ut deleret illos, et misit Phur, id est sortem, ut eos conturbaret atquedeleret.	24 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to give me what I ask, and to fulfill my petition, let the king and Haman come to the feast which I have prepared for them, and tomorrow I will open my mind to the king.”
25 Sed postquam ingressa est Esther ad regem, mandavit ille simul cumlitteris, ut malum, quod iste contra Iudaeos cogitaverat, reverteretur in caputeius, et suspenderentur ipse et filii eius in patibulo.	25 And so Haman went out that day joyful and cheerful. And when he saw that Mordecai was sitting in front of the gate of the palace, and that he alone did not get up for him, but did not so much as move from the place where he sat, he was very indignant.
26 Atque ex illo temporedies isti appellati sunt Phurim propter nomen Phur. Propter cuncta illa, quae inhac epistula continentur,	26 But, concealing his anger and returning into his house, he gathered to him his friends and Zeresh, his wife.
27 et propter ea, quae de his viderant et quae eisacciderant, statuerunt et in sollemnem ritum numquam mutandum susceperunt Iudaeisuper se et semen suum et super cunctos, qui religioni eorum voluerint copulari,ut duos hos dies secundum praeceptum et tempus eorum singulis annis celebrarent.	27 And he explained to them the greatness of his riches, and the influence of his sons, and how, with such glory, the king had elevated him above all his rulers and servants.
28 Isti dies memorarentur et celebrarentur per singulas generationes in singuliscognationibus, provinciis et civitatibus, nec esset ulla civitas, in qua diesPhurim non observarentur a Iudaeis et ab eorum progenie.	28 And after this, he said, “Also, queen Esther has called no one else to the feast with the king, except me. And I will be dining with the king again tomorrow.
29 Scripseruntque Esther regina filia Abihail et Mardochaeus Iudaeus omni studioad confirmandam hanc secundam epistulam Phurim.	29 And though I have all these things, I consider that I have nothing as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting in front of the king’s gate.”
30 Et miserunt ad omnes Iudaeos,qui in centum viginti septem provinciis regis Asueri versabantur, verba pacis etveritatis,	30 And Zeresh his wife and his other friends answered him, “Order a great beam to be prepared, having a height of fifty cubits, and in the morning speak to the king, so that Mordecai may be hanged from it, and so you will go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This advice pleased him, and so he ordered a high cross to be prepared.
31 statuentes dies Phurim pro temporibus suis, sicut constituerantMardochaeus et Esther, et sicut illi statuerant pro seipsis et pro semine suo,praecepta ieiuniorum et clamorum.
32 Et mandatum Esther confirmavit praeceptaPhurim et scriptum est in libro.