10. This decree was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed with the king’s ring, and sent on horseback by couriers who rode on the king’s horses specially bred for their speed.
11. The king granted the right for Jews in every city to assemble themselves and to protect themselves—to destroy, kill and annihilate any army of any people or province that might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder their possessions.
12. The day appointed for this in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month Adar.
13. A copy of the written edict was distributed to every province and made known to the peoples of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14. The couriers that rode royal horses raced out, pressed on by the king’s command. The decree was also given out at the palace at Shushan.