^6 (A)So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, ^(B)return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of ^(C)the kings of Assyria.

¹³ Letters were sent ^(A)by couriers to all the king's provinces with instruction ^(B)to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, ^(C)in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, ^(D)and to plunder their goods.

^15 (A)The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, ^(B)but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

^10 (A)And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus ^(B)and sealed it with the king's signet ring. Then he sent the letters by mounted couriers riding on ^(C)swift horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud,