ent to all the Jews that were in the hundred and twenty-
seven provinces of king Assuerus, that they should have peace, and
receive truth,

9:31. And observe the days of lots, and celebrate them with joy in their
proper time: as Mardochai and Esther had appointed, and they undertook
them to be observed by themselves and by their seed, fasts, and cries,
and the days of lots,

9:32. And all things which are contained in the history of this book,
which is called Esther.

Esther Chapter 10

Assuerus's greatness. Mardochai's dignity.

10:1. And king Assuerus made all the land, and all the islands of the
sea tributary.

10:2. And his strength and his empire, and the dignity and greatness
wherewith he exalted Mardochai, are written in the books of the Medes,
and of the Persians:

10:3. And how Mardochai of the race of the Jews, was next after king
Assuerus: and great among the Jews, and acceptable to the people of his
brethren, seeking the good of his people, and speaking those things
which were for the welfare of his seed.

10:4. Then Mardochai said: God hath done these things.

Then Mardochai, etc... Here St. Jerome advertiseth the reader, that what
follows is not in the Hebrew, but is found in the septuagint Greek
edition, which the seventy-two interpreters translated out of the
Hebrew, or added by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

10:5. I remember a dream that I saw, which signified these same things:
and nothing thereof hath failed.

A dream... This dream was prophetical and extraordinary: otherwise the
general rule is not to observe dreams.

10:6. The little fountain which grew into a river, and was turned into a
light, and into the sun, and abounded into many waters, is Esther, whom
the king married, and made queen.

10:7. But the two dragons are I and Aman.

10:8. The nations that were assembled are they that endeavoured to
destroy the name of the Jews.

10:9. And my nation is Israel, who cried to the Lord, and the Lord saved
his people: and he delivered us from all evils, and hath wrought great
signs and wonders among the nations:

10:10. And he commanded that there should be two lots, one of the people
of God, and the other of all the nations.

10:11. And both lots came to the day appointed already from that time
before God to all nations:

10:12. And the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his
inheritance.

10:13. And these days shall be observed in the month of Adar on the
four