RH
Esther · read by Roy Hession
105 verses, in order. Only the verses Roy read aloud are shown.
Esther 3
1
After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
2
All the royal servants at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded that this be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
3
Then the royal servants at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the command of the king?"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
4
Day after day they warned him, but he would not comply. So they reported it to Haman to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, since he had told them he was a Jew.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
5
When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or pay him homage, he was filled with rage.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
6
And when he learned the identity of Mordecai's people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
7
In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
8
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, "There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else's, and they do not obey the king's laws. So it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
9
If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
10
So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
11
"Keep your money," said the king to Haman. "These people are given to you to do with them as you please."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
13
And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
14
A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
15
The couriers left, spurred on by the king's command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
Esther 4
1
When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
2
But he went only as far as the king's gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
3
In every province to which the king's command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
4
When Esther's maidens and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, the queen was overcome with distress. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
5
Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs appointed to her, and she dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what was troubling him and why.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
7
and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
8
Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
9
So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai's response to Esther.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
10
Then Esther spoke to Hathach and instructed him to tell Mordecai,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
11
"All the royal officials and the people of the king's provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
12
When Esther's words were relayed to Mordecai,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
13
he sent back to her this reply: "Do not imagine that because you are in the king's palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
14
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
16
"Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
17
So Mordecai went and did all that Esther had instructed him.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 1. the Doom of the People
Esther 5
1
On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king's quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
2
As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
3
"What is it, Queen Esther?" the king inquired. "What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
4
"If it pleases the king," Esther replied, "may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
5
"Hurry," commanded the king, "and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
8
If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
10
Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
11
Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
12
"What is more," Haman added, "Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
13
Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."Read from NKJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
14
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, "Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself." The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 2. Esther at the Court for Her People
Esther 6
1
That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
2
And there it was found recorded that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the king's entrance, when they had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
3
The king inquired, "What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this act?" "Nothing has been done for him," replied the king's attendants.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
4
"Who is in the court?" the king asked. Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
5
So the king's attendants answered him, "Haman is there, standing in the court." "Bring him in," ordered the king.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
6
Haman entered, and the king asked him, "What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
7
And Haman told the king, "For the man whom the king is delighted to honor,Read from NKJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
8
have them bring a royal robe that the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden—one with a royal crest placed on its head.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
9
Let the robe and the horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them array the man the king wants to honor and parade him on the horse through the city square, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!'"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
10
"Hurry," said the king to Haman, "and do just as you proposed. Take the robe and the horse to Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything that you have suggested."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
11
So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai, and paraded him through the city square, crying out before him, "This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
12
Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
13
Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is Jewish, you will not prevail against him—for surely you will fall before him."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
14
While they were still speaking with Haman, the king's eunuchs arrived and rushed him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
Esther 7
1
So the king and Haman went to dine with Esther the queen,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
2
and as they drank their wine on that second day, the king asked once more, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
3
Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
4
For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
5
Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, "Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
6
Esther replied, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!" And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
7
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
8
Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?" As soon as the words had left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
9
Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: "There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman's house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king." "Hang him on it!" declared the king.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
Esther 8
1
That same day King Xerxes awarded Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai entered the king's presence because Esther had revealed his relation to her.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
2
The king removed the signet ring he had recovered from Haman and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over the estate of Haman.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 3. Haman Hanged on His Gallows
3
And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
4
The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
5
"If it pleases the king," she said, "and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
6
For how could I bear to see the disaster that would befall my people? How could I bear to see the destruction of my kindred?"Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
8
Now you may write in the king's name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
10
Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes and sealed it with the royal signet ring. He sent the documents by mounted couriers riding on swift horses bred from the royal mares.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
11
By these letters the king permitted the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province hostile to them, including women and children, and to plunder their possessions.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
13
A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
14
The couriers rode out in haste on their royal horses, pressed on by the command of the king. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
15
Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
16
For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.Read from ESV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
Esther 9
1
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king's command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
3
And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king's administrators helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen upon them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
4
For Mordecai exercised great power in the palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces as he became more and more powerful.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
5
The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
6
In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
11
On that day the number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
12
who said to Queen Esther, "In the citadel of Susa the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men, including Haman's ten sons. What have they done in the rest of the royal provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given to you. And what further do you request? It will be fulfilled."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
13
Esther replied, "If it pleases the king, may the Jews in Susa also have tomorrow to carry out today's edict, and may the bodies of Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows."Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
14
So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
15
On the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, the Jews in Susa came together again and put to death three hundred men there, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
16
The rest of the Jews in the royal provinces also assembled to defend themselves and rid themselves of their enemies. They killed 75,000 who hated them, but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
17
This was done on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested, making it a day of feasting and joy.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 4. the Exaltation of Mordecai
20
Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
21
to establish among them an annual celebration on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of AdarRead from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
22
as the days on which the Jews gained rest from their enemies and the month in which their sorrow turned to joy and their mourning into a holiday. He wrote that these were to be days of feasting and joy, of sending gifts to one another and to the poor.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
23
So the Jews agreed to continue the custom they had started, as Mordecai had written to them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
24
For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
25
But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
26
Therefore these days are called Purim, from the word Pur. Because of all the instructions in this letter, and because of all they had seen and experienced,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
27
the Jews bound themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should not fail to celebrate these two days at the appointed time each and every year, according to their regulation.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
28
These days should be remembered and celebrated by every generation, family, province, and city, so that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, nor should the memory of them fade from their descendants.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
29
So Queen Esther daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
30
And Mordecai sent letters with words of peace and truth to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Xerxes,Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
31
in order to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established them and had committed themselves and their descendants to the times of fasting and lamentation.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
32
So Esther's decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, which were written into the record.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
Esther 10
1
Now King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the land, even to its farthest shores.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
2
And all of Mordecai's powerful and magnificent accomplishments, together with the full account of the greatness to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People
3
For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.Read from KJV · (Gospel in the Book of Esther) 5. Mordecai Speaks Peace to All His People