Cuireadh litreacha le teachtairí go cúigí uile an rí, agus d' ordaigh siad scrios agus ár agus díothú ar na Giúdaigh go léir, idir óg agus aosta, idir mhná agus mhiondaoine, in aon lá amháin, an tríú lá déag den dara mí déag, Adár is é sin, agus a maoin a ghabháil mar chreach. 13a Mar leanas a ghabh an litir: «Beatha agus sláinte ón rí mór Aisiuéaróis do ghobharnóirí an céad fiche a seacht gcúige a shíneann ón Ind go dtí an Aetóip agus do na ceannasaithe dúiche atá fúthu. 13b De bhrí go bhfuair mé ceannas ar mhórán ciníocha agus gur thug mé an domhan go léir faoi mo smacht, bheartaigh mé gan mí-úsáid a bhaint as mo mhórchumhacht, ach a bheith i gcónaí tuisceanach lách, saol socair síochánta a chinntiú do mo ghéillsinigh, agus an tsíocháin a bhfuil cách ag tnúth léi a bhuanú i dtreo go mbeadh an tsibhialtacht faoi réim agus cead a gcos ag cách ó cheann ceann na ríochta. 13c Ar an ábhar sin d' fhiafraigh mé de mo chomhairleoirí conas ab fhearr a d' fhéadfaí an cuspóir sin a chur i gcrích; bhí, ar na comhairleoirí, duine áirithe darbh ainm Hámán, fear saorbhreathach, a rug barr eagna agus dílse leis ón gcuid eile ar fad, agus atá i dtánaiste gradam don rí féin. 13d D' inis seisean dúinn go raibh cine namhdúil áirithe scaipthe i measc treibheanna uile an domhain agus go raibh dlíthe acu a bhí bunoscionn le gach cine eile, agus go raibh siad de shíor ag cur suas do reachtanna na ríthe, agus ag cur bac ar an sórt rialtais atá á bhunú againn ar mhaithe leis an maith choiteann. 13e De bhrí gur tuigeadh dúinn go raibh an mhuintir leithleasach seo, leo féin, de shíor ag cur i gcoinne an chine dhaonna go léir, agus ag baint feidhm as dlíthe urchóideacha ag cur suas dár reachtanna, agus ag cur coireanna uafásacha i gcrích i dtreo go bhfuil ár ríocht i mbaol titim, 13f ordaímid: An mhuintir a ainmníodh daoibh i litreacha Hámán an té sin a ceapadh i bhfeighil ár ngnóthaí agus is dara athair dúinn déantar iadsan go léir, mar aon lena mná agus lena miondaoine, a dhíothú agus a scriosadh de chlár na cruinne le faobhar claímh a naimhde, gan trua gan taise ar an gceathrú lá déag den dara mí déag, Adár is é sin, den bhliain seo féin; 13g caithfear, ar an gcuma sin, an dream seo a bhí namhdúil, agus atá amhlaidh fós, síos go hifreann le láimh láidir, in aon lá amháin, agus beidh ár rialtas slán faoi shíocháin bhuan as sin amach.»
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a royal decree sent out to all parts of the kingdom that ordered the destruction and killing of all Jewish people, regardless of age, on a specific day. The decree also allows the taking of the Jews' possessions. No one is speaking directly in this verse, but it describes the actions of the king and his officials. The key message is the severity and scope of the threat against the Jewish people.
Explained for Children
Imagine if there was a rule in your school that said everyone with red hair had to leave on a certain day. This verse is like that, but much worse, because it's not just about leaving, but about hurting all Jewish people on a specific day. It's a very scary rule that the king made.
Historical Background
Esther 3:13 is part of the Book of Esther, which is believed to have been written around the 5th century BCE. It was written to recount the events that led to the Jewish holiday of Purim. The audience was likely the Jewish people living in Persia, and the cultural setting reflects a time when Jews faced significant persecution.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of standing against injustice and the power of unity. For example, if you see a group being unfairly targeted at your school, it's important to speak up and work together to protect them, just as Esther worked to protect her people.
The Jewish community was targeted due to Haman's personal hatred towards Mordecai, a Jew who refused to bow to him. This led to a decree against all Jews in the kingdom.
What does this verse tell us about the power of the king?
This verse highlights the absolute power of the king, who could issue decrees that affected every province and every person within it, showcasing the immense authority he held.
How did the people respond to this decree?
The verse itself does not describe the people's response, but it sets the stage for the rest of the story where the Jews face this threat and seek ways to overcome it.
What can we learn from this verse about standing up against injustice?
This verse teaches us that injustice can affect anyone and that it is crucial to stand up against it, as the characters in the Book of Esther eventually do to protect their community.