12 ^aThen the king’s scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded—to the king’s satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province ^baccording to its script, and to every people in their language. ^cIn the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king’s signet ring.  ‡

13 And the letters were ^asent by couriers into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, ^bin one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and ^cto plunder their possessions.  ‡

14 ^aA copy of the document was to be issued as law in every province, being published for all people, that they should be ready for that day.  ‡

15 The couriers went out, hastened by the king’s command; and the decree was proclaimed in¹ Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but ^athe city of Shushan was perplexed. ‡