So on the thirteenth day of the first month Haman called the king's secretaries and dictated a proclamation to be translated into every language and system of writing used in the empire and to be sent to all the rulers, governors, and officials. It was issued in the name of King Xerxes and stamped with his ring.

Runners took this proclamation to every province of the empire. It contained the instructions that on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, all Jews---young and old, women and children---were to be killed. They were to be slaughtered without mercy and their belongings were to be taken.

Moses said to the people, "Remember this day---the day on which you left Egypt, the place where you were slaves. This is the day the LORD brought you out by his great power. No leavened bread is to be eaten.

The LORD solemnly promised your ancestors to give you the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. When he brings you into that rich and fertile land, you must celebrate this festival in the first month of every year.

For seven days you must not eat any bread made with yeast; there must be no yeast or leavened bread anywhere in your land.

Praise the LORD, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is.

A day is coming when people will sing, "I praise you, LORD! You were angry with me, but now you comfort me and are angry no longer.

God is my savior; I will trust him and not be afraid. The LORD gives me power and strength; he is my savior.

The LORD will give the people of Israel relief from their pain and suffering and from the hard work they were forced to do.

You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy.

"Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!

I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness.

That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you.

This is why Jews who live in small towns observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a joyous holiday, a time for feasting and giving gifts of food to one another.

Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. The joy that the LORD gives you will make you strong."

So all the people went home and ate and drank joyfully and shared what they had with others, because they understood what had been read to them.

But give what is in your cups and plates to the poor, and everything will be ritually clean for you.

All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another.

Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,

All they asked was that we should remember the needy in their group, which is the very thing I have been eager to do.