A reading from the book of Esther.

After these things, King Ahazuerus promoted Haman, the Agagite, the son of Hamadatha, and

advanced him and set his throne above all the officials who were with him.

And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and paid homage to

Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning

him.

But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage.

Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, why do you transgress

the king's command?

And when they spoke to him day after day, and he would not listen to them, they told

Haman in order to see whether Mordecai's words would stand, for he had told them that

he was a Jew.

And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled

with fury.

But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone.

So as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews,

the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahazuerus. In the first month, which is

the month of Nysan, in the 12th year of King Ahasuerus, they cast

poor, that is, they cast lots, before Haman day after day, and they cast it month after month, till

the 12th month, which is the month of Adir. Then Haman said to King Ahazuerus, there is a certain people scattered abroad

and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different

from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king's laws so that it is not to the

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