Page:KJV 1772 Oxford Edition, vol. 2.djvu/79

Apocrypha. nually honoured of all the next person unto the king.

But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us of our kingdom and life:

Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mardocheus, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation.

For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.

But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws:

And that they be children of the most high and most mighty, living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner.

Wherefore ye shall do well not to put in execution the letters sent unto you by Aman the son of Amadatha.

For he that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the gates of Susa with all his family: God, who ruleth all things, speedily rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts.

Therefore ye shall publish the copy of this letter in all places, that the Jews may freely live after their own laws.

And ye shall aid them, that even the same day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them.

For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day, wherein the chosen people should have perished.

Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high day with all feasting:

That both now and hereafter there may be safety to us and the well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against us a memorial of destruction.

Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not do according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy with fire and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls for ever.

Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.

For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him.

For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise.

For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.

For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.

For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.

Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.

For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds.

For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.

Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul.

Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.

For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.

For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful;