¹³ Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews^(A)—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar,^(B) and to plunder^(C) their goods.

⁸ If the king regards me with favor^(A) and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet^(B) I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

³ Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor^(A) with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.