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

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

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

11 And both lots came to the day appointed already from that time before God to all nations: 12 And the Lord remembered his people, and had mercy on his inheritance.

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 assembly, throughout all the generations hereafter of the people of Israel.

CHAP. XII.

6 The little fountain which grew into a river,
and was turned into a light, and into the sun, and Mardochai detects the conspiracy of the two
abountled into many waters, is Esther, whom the
king married, and made queen.

eunuchs.
ND he abode at that time in the king's court

7 But the two dragons: are I, and Aman.
8 The nations that were assembled: are they
that endeavoured to destroy the name of the
Jews.

voices, and tumults, and thunders, and earth.
quakes, and a disturbance upon the earth.

6 And behold, two great dragons came forth
ready to fight one against another.

7 And at their cry all nations were stirred up to fight against the nation of the just.

8 And that was a day of darkness and danger, of tribulation and distress, and great fear upon the

CHAP. XI.
which in

Greek and Latin bibles was in the beginning
of the book, but was detached by St. Jerome,
and put in this place.

9 And the nation of the just was troubled, fearing their own evils, and was prepared for death.

4 Now he was of the number of the captives, whom Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away from Jerusalem with Jechonias king of Juda:

5 And this was his dream:† Behold, there were

10 And they cried to God: and as they were crying, a little fountain grew into a very great river, and abounded into many waters.

11 The light and the sun rose up, and the humble were exalted, and they devoured the glorious.

12 And when Mardochai had seen this, and arose out of his bed, he was thinking what God would do: and he kept it fixed in his mind, desirous to know what the dream should signify?

A copy of a letter sent by Aman to destroy the
Jews. Mardochai's prayer for the people.
ND Artax-

Aerxes the great king who reigneth from In-
dia to Ethiopia, to the princes and governors of
the hundred and twenty seven provinces, that are
subject to his empire, greeting.

2 Whereas I reigned over many nations, and
had brought all the world under my dominion,
was not willing to abuse the greatness of my
power, but to govern my subjects with clemency
and lenity, that they might live quietly without
any terror, and might enjoy peace, which is de-
sired by all men.

2 In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the great, in the first day of the month Nisan, Mardochai the son of Jair, the son of Semei, the son of Cis, of the tribe of Benjamin:

3 But when I asked my counsellors how this
might be accomplished, one that excelled the rest

3 A Jew who dwelt in the city of Susan, a in wisdom and fidelity, and was second after the
great man and among the first of the king's court,
had a dream.

king, Aman by name,

4 Told me that there was a people scattered through the whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations, despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the concord of all nations.

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

A
who were porters of the palace.

2 And when he understood their designs, and
had diligently searched into their projects, he
learned that they went about to lay violent hands
on king Artaxerxes, and he told the king thereof.

3 Then the king had them both examined, and after they had confessed, commanded them to be put to death.

4 But the king made a record of what was done: and Mardochai also committed the memory of the thing to writing.

5 And the king commanded him to abide in the court of the palace, and gave him presents for the information.

6 But Aman the son of Amadathi the Bugite was in great honour with the king, and sought to hurt Mardochai and his people, because of the two eunuchs of the king who were put to death. CHAP. XIII.

the fourth year of the reign of Ptolemy and Cleopatra, Dositheus, who said he was a priest, and of the Levitical race, and Ptolemy his son brought this epistle of Phurim, which they said I Lysimachus the son of Ptolemy had interpreted in Jerusalem.

5 Wherefore having learned this, and seeing
one nation in opposition to all mankind using per-
verse laws, and going against our commandments,
and disturbing the peace and concord of the pro-
vinces subject to us,

*Then Mardochai, &c. Here St. Jerome ad-
vertiseth the reader, that what follows is not in
the Hebrew: but is found in the septuagint Greek
edition, which the 72 interpréters translated out 6 We have commanded that all whom Aman
of the Hebrew, or added by the inspiration of shall mark out, who is chief over all the provin-
the Holy Ghost.
ces, and second after the king, and whom we
honour as a father, shall be utterly destroyed by
their enemies, with their wives and children, and
that none shall have pity on them, on the four-

teenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this||us in the time of our tribulation, and give me present year: boldness, O Lord, King of gods, and of all power:

7 That these wicked men going down to hell in one day, may restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.

13 Give me a well ordered speech in my mouth in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to the hatred of our enemy, that both he himself may perish, and the rest that consent to him.

8 But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works,

9 And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty King, for all things are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to save Israel.

14 But deliver us by thy hand, and help me, who have no other helper, but thee, O Lord, who hast the knowledge of all things.

15 And thou knowest that I hate the glory of the wicked, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of every stranger.

10 Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven.

11 Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist thy majesty.

12 Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory that I refused to worship the proud Aman,

13 (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet,)

14 But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.

15 And now, O Lord, O King, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy inheritance.

16 Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out of Egypt. and be

17 Hear

thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, O Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.

CHAP. XV.

Esther comes into the king's presence: she is ter rified, but God turns his heart.

AND he commanded her (no doubt but he was Mardochai) to go to the king, and petition for her people, and for her country.

2 Remember (said he) the days of thy low estate, how thou wast brought up by my hand, because Aman the second after the king hath spoken against us unto death.

3 And do thou call upon the Lord, and speak to the king for us, and deliver us from death.

CHAP. XIV.

Q

4 And on the third day she laid away the garThe prayer of Esther for herself and her people.ments she wore, and put on her glorious apUEEN Esther also, fearing the danger that was at hand, had recourse to the Lord. 2 And when she had laid away her royal apparel, she put on garments suitable for weeping and mourning, instead of divers precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body with fasts: and all the places in which before she was accustomed to rejoice, she filled with her torn hair.

18 And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.

3 And she prayed to the Lord the God of Israel, saying: O my Lord, who alone art our king, help me a desolate woman, and who have no other helper but thee.

4 My danger is in my hands.

5 I have heard of my father that thou, O Lord, didst take Israel from among all nations, and our fathers from all their predecessors, to possess them as an everlasting inheritance, and thou hast done to them as thou hast promised.

6 We have sinned in thy sight, and therefore thou hast delivered us into the hands of our enemies:

7 For we have worshipped their gods. Thou art just, O Lord.

16 Thou knowest my necessity, that I abominate the sign of my pride and glory, which is upon my head in the days of my public appearance, and detest it as a inenstruous rag, and wear it not in the days of my silence.

17 And that I have not eaten at Aman's table, nor hath the king's banquet pleased me, and that I have not drunk the wine of the drink-offerings:

18 And that thy handmaid hath never rejoiced, since I was brought hither unto this day, but in thee, O Lord, the God of Abraham.

19 O God, who art mighty above all, hear the voice of them that have no other hope, and deliver us from the hand of the wicked, and deliver me from my fear.

8 And now they are not content to oppress us with most hard bondage, but attributing the strength of their hands to the power of their idols,

9 They design to change thy promises, and destroy thy inheritance, and shut the mouths of them that praise thee, and extinguish the glory of thy temple and altar,

parel.

5 And glittering in royal robes, after she had called upon God the ruler and saviour of all, she took two maids with her,

6 And upon one of them she leaned, as if for delicateness and overmuch tenderness, she were not able to bear up her own body:

7 And the other maid followed her lady, bear ing up her train flowing on the ground.

8 But she with a rosy colour in her face, and with gracious and bright eyes, hid a mind full of anguish, and exceeding great fear.

9 So going in she passed through all the doors in order, and stood before the king, where he sat upon his royal throne, clothed with his royal robes, and glittering with gold, and precious stones, and he was terrible to behold.

10 And when he had lifted up his countenance, and with burning eyes had shown the wrath of his heart, the queen sunk down, and her colour turned pale, and she rested her weary head upon her handmaid.

11 And God changed the king's spirit into mildness, and all in haste and in fear he leaped from his throne, and holding her up in his arms, till she came to herself, caressed her with these words:

12 What is the matter, Esther? I am thy brother, fear not.

13 Thou shalt not die: for this law is not made for thee, but for all others.

14 Come near then, and touch the sceptre. 15 And as she held her peace, he took the golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck, and kissed her, and said: Why dost thou not speak to me?

10 That they may open the mouths of Gentiles, and praise the strength of idols, and magnify for ever a carnal king.

11 Give not, O Lord, thy sceptre to them that are not, lest they laugh at our ruin: but turn their counsel upon themselves, and destroy him that hath begun to rage against us.

12 Remember, O Lord, and show thyself toll fear of thy majesty.

16 She answered: I saw thee, my lord, as an Angel of God, and my heart was troubled for

17 For thou, my lord, art very admirable, and
thy face is full of graces.

18 And while she was speaking, she fell down
again, and was almost in a swoon.
19 But the king was troubled, and all his ser-
vants comforted her.

CHAP. XVI.

A copy of the king's letter in favour of the

Jews.

TH
HE great king Artaxerxes, from India to
Ethiopia, to the governors and princes of a
hundred and twenty seven provinces, which obey
our command, sendeth greeting..

2 Many have abused unto pride the goodness
of princes, and the honour that hath been bestow-
upon them:

ed

3 And not only endeavour to oppress the king's subjects, but not bearing the glory that is given them, take in hand to practise also against them that gave it.

11 And found our humanity so great towards hin, that he was called our father, and was worshipped by all as the next man after the king: 12 But he was so far puffed up with arrogancy, as to go about to deprive us of our kingdom and life.

13 For with certain new and unheard-of devices he hath sought the destruction of Mardochai, by whose fidelity and good services our life was saved, and of Esther the partner of our kingdom, with all their nation:

14 Thinking that after they were slain, he might work treason against us left alone without friends, and might transfer the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians.

15 But we have found that the Jews, who were by that most wicked man appointed to be slain, are in no fault at all, but contrarywise use just laws,

16 And are the children of the highest and the greatest, and the ever-living God, by whose benefit the kingdom was given both to our fathers and to us, and is kept unto this day.

17 Wherefore know ye that those letters which he sent in our name, are void and of no effect.

4 Neither are they content not to return thanks for benefits received, and to violate in themselves the laws of humanity, but they think they can also escape the justice of God who seeth all things

18 For which crime both he himself that de

5 And they break out into so great madness, as to endeavour to undermine by lies such as ob-vised it, and all his kindred hang on gibbets, beserve diligently the offices committed to them, fore the gates of this city Susan: not we, but and do all things in such manner as to be wor- God repaying him as he deserved. thy of all men's praise,

6 While with crafty fraud they deceive the ears of princes that are well-meaning, and judge of others by their own nature.

19 But this edict, which we now send, shall be published in all cities, that the Jews may freely follow their own laws.

7 Now this is proved both from ancient histories, and by the things which are done daily, how the good designs of kings are depraved by the evil suggestions of certain men.

20 And you shall aid them that they may kill those who had prepared themselves to kill them, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is called Adar.

8 Wherefore we must provide for the peace of all provinces.

21 For the almighty God hath turned this day of sadness and mourning into joy to them.

Neither must you think, if we command different things, that it cometh of the levity of our mind, but that we give sentence according to the quality and necessity of times, as the profit of the commonwealth requireth.

22 Wherefore you shall also count this day among other festival days, and celebrate it with all joy, that it may be known also in times to come,

23 That all they who faithfully obey the Persians, receive a worthy reward for their fidelity: but they that are traitors to their kingdom, are destroyed for their wickedness.

10 Now that you may more plainly understand what we say, Aman the son of Amadathi, a Macedonian both in mind and country, and having nothing of the Persian blood, but with his cruelty staining our goodness, was received being a stranger by us:

24 And let every province and city, that will not be partaker of this solemnity, perish by the sword and by fire, and be destroyed in such manner as to be made unpassable both to men and beasts, for an example of contempt, and diso

335

From India to Ethiopia. That is, who bedience. reigneth from India to Ethiopia.

BOOK OF JOB.

7 And the Lord said to him: Whenee

This book takes its name from the holy man, of whom it treats: who, according to the comest thou? And he answered and said: more probable opinion, was of the race of have gone round about the earth, and Esau; and the same as Jobab, king of E-walked through it. dom, mentioned Gen. xxxvi. 33. It is un- 8 And the Lord said to him: Hast thou certain who was the writer of it. Some at-considered my servant Job, that there is tribute it to Job himself; others to Moses, or none like him in the earth, a simple and some one of the prophets. In the Hebrew it upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding is written in verse, from the beginning of evil? the third chapter to the forty-second chapter.

9 And Satan answering, said: Doth Job fear God in vain?

CHAP. I.

10 Hast thou not made a fence for him, Job's virtue and riches. Satan, by permission and his house, and all his substance round from God, strippeth him of all his sub-about, blessed the works of his hands, and stance. His patience. his possession hath increased on the earth? in the land of THERE was a man, Job, and that man touch all that he hath, and see 11 But stretch forth thy hand a little, and he blesseth was simplet and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil.

thee not to thy face.

2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

12 Then the Lord said to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put not forth thy hand upon his person. And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. 13 Now upon a certain day when his sons daughters were eating and drinking

3 And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-and asses, and a family exceeding great and wine in the house of their eldest brother, this man was great among all the people of 14 There came a messenger to Job, and the east. said: The oxen were ploughing, and the 4 And his sons went, and made a feast by asses feeding beside them, houses, every one in his day. And sending 15 And the Sabeans rushed in, and took they called their three sisters, to eat and all away, and slew the servants with the drink with them. sword, and I alone have escaped to tell

5 And when the days of their feasting thee. were gone about, Job sent to them, and 16 And while he was yet speaking, anosanctified them: and rising up early offered ther came, and said: The fire of God fell holocausts for every one of them. For he from heaven, and striking the sheep and the said: Lest perhaps my sons have sinned, servants, hath consumed them, and I alone and have blessed]] God in their hearts. So have escaped to tell thee.

did Job all days.

17 And while he also was yet speaking,

6 Now on a certain day when the sons of there came another, and said: The ChaldeGods came to stand before the Lord, Satanans made three troops, and have fallen upon also** was present among them. the camels, and taken them, moreover they have slain the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee.

Hus. The land of Hus was a part of Edom: as appears from Lament. iv. 21. † Simple. That is, innocent, sincere, and without guile.

18 He was yet speaking, and behold ano ther came in, and said: Thy sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their elder brother,

And made a feast by houses. That is, each made a feast in his own house and had his day, inviting the others and their sisters. the side of the desert, and shook the four

19 A violent wind came on a sudden from

Blessed. For greater horror of the very corners of the house, and it fell upon thy thought of blasphemy, the scripture both children, and they are dead, and I alone here and ver. 11. and in the following chap-have escaped to tell thee.

ter, ver. 5. and. 9. uses the word bless tol 20 Then Job rose up, and rent his garsignify its contrary.

The sons of God. The angels.

without God's permission; 3. That God doth

** Satan also, &c. This passage repre-not permit him to attempt them above their sents to us in a figure, accommodated to the strength: but assists them by his divine ways and understandings of men, 1. The grace in such manner, that the vain efforts restless endeavours of Satan against the ser- of the enemy only serve to illustrate their vants of God; 2. That he can do nothing||virtue and increase their merit.