Part 303 (2/2)

9:26. And since that time these days are called Phurim, that is, of lots: because Phur, that is, the lot, was cast into the urn. And all things that were done, are contained in the volume of this epistle, that is, of this book:

9:27. And the things that they suffered, and that were afterwards changed, the Jews took upon themselves and their seed, and upon all that had a mind to be joined to their religion, so that it should be lawful for none to pa.s.s these days without solemnity: which the writing testifieth, and certain times require, as the years continually succeed one another.

9:28. These are the days which shall never be forgot: and which all provinces in the whole world shall celebrate throughout all generations: neither is there any city wherein the days of Phurim, that is, of lots, must not be observed by the Jews, and by their posterity, which is bound to these ceremonies.

9:29. And Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mardochai the Jew, wrote also a second epistle, that with all diligence this day should be established a festival for the time to come.

9:30. And they sent to all the Jews that were in the hundred and twenty- seven provinces of king a.s.suerus, 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

a.s.suerus's greatness. Mardochai's dignity.

10:1. And king a.s.suerus 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 a.s.suerus: 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: G.o.d 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 a.s.sembled 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 G.o.d, and the other of all the nations.

10:11. And both lots came to the day appointed already from that time before G.o.d 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 fourteenth, and fifteenth day of the same month, with all diligence, and joy of the people gathered into one a.s.sembly, throughout all the generations hereafter of the people of Israel.

Esther Chapter 11

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