The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Esther 6

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Esther chapter 6 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the…” — the complete text of all 14 verses is below, free to read online.

1On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.

2And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, of those that kept the door, who had sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.

3And the king said: 'What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?' Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him: 'There is nothing done for him.'

4And the king said: 'Who is in the court?' --Now Haman was come into the outer court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.--

5And the king's servants said unto him: 'Behold, Haman standeth in the court.' And the king said: 'Let him come in.'

6So Haman came in. And the king said unto him: 'What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?' --Now Haman said in his heart: 'Whom would the king delight to honour besides myself?'--

7And Haman said unto the king: 'For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,

8let royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and on whose head a crown royal is set;

9and let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man therewith whom the king delighteth to honour, and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him: Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.'

10Then the king said to Haman: 'Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate; let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.'

11Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and caused him to ride through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him: 'Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.'

12And Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house, mourning and having his head covered.

13And Haman recounted unto Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him: 'If Mordecai, before whom thou hast begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.'

14While they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hastened to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

14 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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